Medications and Drugs

Brand Names: Supprelin LA, Vantas

Generic Name: histrelin (implant) (Pronunciation: his TREL in)

• What is histrelin (Supprelin LA, Vantas)?
• What are the possible side effects of histrelin (Supprelin LA, Vantas)?
• What is the most important information I should know about histrelin (Supprelin LA, Vantas)?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before I receive histrelin (Supprelin LA, Vantas)?
• How is histrelin given (Supprelin LA, Vantas)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Supprelin LA, Vantas)?
• What happens if I overdose (Supprelin LA, Vantas)?
• What should I avoid after receiving a histrelin implant (Supprelin LA, Vantas)?
• What other drugs will affect histrelin (Supprelin LA, Vantas)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is histrelin (Supprelin LA, Vantas)?

Histrelin is a man-made form of a hormone that regulates many processes in the body. Histrelin overstimulates the body's own production of certain hormones, which causes that production to shut down temporarily.

The Supprelin LA brand of histrelin is used to treat precocious puberty in both male and female children.

The Vantas brand of histrelin is used to treat symptoms of prostate cancer in men. Vantas should not be used in women or children. Histrelin treats only the symptoms of prostate cancer but does not treat the cancer itself. Use any other medications your doctor has prescribed to best treat your condition.

Histrelin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of histrelin (Supprelin LA, Vantas)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• swelling, redness, oozing, or other signs of infection around the implant;
• severe bone pain, severe numbness or tingling in your legs or feet;
• blood in your urine, pain when you urinate;
• painful or difficult urination, urinating less than usual or not at all;
• upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• muscle weakness, problems with balance or coordination;
• loss of movement in any part of your body, loss of bladder or bowel control;
• increased thirst or urination, excessive hunger, fruity breath odor;
• sudden numbness or weakness, sudden severe headache, confusion, problems with vision or speech; or
• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling.

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache;
• nosebleeds;
• mood changes, tired feeling;
• weight gain or loss;
• menstrual pain, heavy menstrual bleeding;
• constipation;
• breast swelling or tenderness;
• night sweats, feeling hot or cold;
• impotence, loss of interest in sex, trouble having an orgasm; or
• pain or swelling in your testicles.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about histrelin (Supprelin LA, Vantas)?

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to histrelin or other medications that affect gonadotropin hormones. The Supprelin LA brand of histrelin is used to treat precocious puberty in children. The Vantas brand of histrelin is used to treat symptoms of prostate cancer in men. Vantas should not be used in women or children.

Histrelin can cause a miscarriage or birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Before you receive histrelin, tell your doctor if you have painful or difficult urination, diabetes, heart disease, coronary artery disease, liver disease, a history of heart attack or stroke, osteoporosis, or a condition affecting your spine.

You may have a temporary increase in symptoms of your condition for a week or so after you have received the histrelin implant. Call your doctor if any of these symptoms become severe.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as severe numbness or tingling in your legs or feet, muscle weakness, problems with balance or coordination, loss of bladder or bowel control, urinating more or less than usual, sudden numbness or severe headache, problems with speech or vision, increased thirst or urination, excessive hunger, or chest pain spreading to the arm or shoulder.

You will need regular medical tests to be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects. Visit your doctor regularly.

A histrelin implant is usually left in place for 12 months and then removed. Your doctor will determine at that time whether you need to receive another implant for treatment of your symptoms.

If you are using histrelin to treat prostate cancer, use any other medications your doctor has prescribed to best treat your condition. Histrelin treats only the symptoms of prostate cancer but does not treat the cancer itself.

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