histrelin (implant)

	What is the most important information I should know about histrelin?
	What is histrelin?
	What should I discuss with my health care provider before I receive histrelin?
	How is histrelin given?
	What happens if I miss a dose?
	What happens if I overdose?
	What should I avoid after receiving a histrelin implant?
	What are the possible side effects of histrelin?
	What other drugs will affect histrelin?
	Where can I get more information?
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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 and should not be used in women or children.

Before you receive histrelin, tell your doctor if you have painful or difficult urination, osteoporosis, or a condition affecting your spine.

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.

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, fast or pounding heartbeats, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, feeling short of breath, swelling in your hands or feet, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested often. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

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.

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 and 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 other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to histrelin or to similar hormone medications such as leuprolide (Lupron, Eligard, Viadur), nafarelin (Synarel), or ganirelix (Antagon).

Before you receive histrelin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• painful or difficult urination;
• osteoporosis; or
• a condition affecting your spine.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need special tests to safely use histrelin.

FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause a miscarriage or birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control while you are using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether histrelin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Before you receive this medication, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Histrelin is given in a tiny implant that is inserted under the skin on the inside of your upper arm. You will receive this implant with a minor surgical procedure in a clinic or doctor's office.

It is best to place the implant into your non-dominant arm (your left arm if you are right-handed). Be sure to tell your doctor which arm you use most often.

You should be lying on your back during insertion of the histrelin implant. Your arm will be positioned with your elbow bent and held still while the implant is inserted.

The skin of your upper arm will be treated with a numbing medicine to keep you from feeling pain during the insertion. Once your arm is numb, your doctor will use a scalpel to cut a small incision where the implant will be inserted.

The histrelin implant is inserted using a special tool that pushes the implant into place through the incision in your skin. After injecting the implant and removing the insertion tool, your doctor will then feel your arm to make sure the implant has been correctly placed.

The incision in your skin may be closed with a small number of stitches or surgical strips. Follow your doctor's instructions about caring for the incision and keeping it bandaged and clean until it heals completely.

After receiving your implant, keep the arm dry for at least 24 hours.

You will most likely be able to feel the implant through your skin, but it should not cause pain or discomfort. Call your doctor if you have any pain, swelling, tenderness, itching, bruising, or redness where the implant was inserted.

Call your doctor if any part of the implant comes through the skin, or if the entire implant falls out.

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.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested often. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

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 continued relief of prostate cancer symptoms.

Whether or not you receive a new histrelin implant, the old one must be removed after 12 months of use. A histrelin implant must be removed through a surgical incision in your doctor's office.

Since histrelin is given as an implant by a healthcare professional, you will not be on a frequent dosing schedule.

The implant should not be left in your arm for longer than 12 months. Call your doctor when it is time for your implant to be removed.

An overdose of histrelin is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

For at least 7 days after your implant is inserted, avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting.

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:

• 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, or not at all;
• fast or pounding heartbeats;
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;
• feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
• swelling in your hands or feet; or
• nausea, vomiting, loss or appetite, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• tired feeling;
• weight gain or loss;
• pain or swelling in your testicles;
• impotence, loss of interest in sex, trouble having an orgasm;
• breast swelling or tenderness;
• night sweats, feeling hot or cold;
• warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• headache, dizziness, depressed mood;
• stomach pain, constipation; or
• joint or muscle pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

There may be other drugs that can interact with histrelin. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about histrelin.