HISTRELIN (Systemic)?
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
? Not commercially available in Canada.
Category
Description
Histrelin (his-TREL-in) is a type of medicine called a gonadotropin-releasinghormone (GnRH) antagonist that lowers the male hormone testosterone in yourblood. Testosterone makes most prostate cancers grow. The histrelin implantis a drug-delivery system that contains the medicine histrelin and is placedunder the skin. After it is placed under the skin it releases histrelin tothe body continuously for 12 months. Histrelin is not a cure for prostatecancer but it may help to relieve the symptoms of prostate cancer.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in thefollowing dosage forms:
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do.This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For histrelin, the followingshould be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusualor allergic reaction to GnRH, GnRH agonist analogs or to histrelin or anyof its ingredients. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergicto any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy?Histrelin is not for use in women.
Children?Histrelin is not for use in children.
Older adults?This medicine has been tested and has not beenshown to cause different side effects or other problems in older people thanit does in younger adults.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health careprofessional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter[OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of histrelin. Make sure you tell your doctor ifyou have any other medical problems, especially:
- Nerve problems caused by bone lesions in spine or
- Problems in passing urine?Conditions may get worse for a shorttime after histrelin treatment is started
Proper Use of This Medicine
Histrelin comes with patient instructions. Read these instructions carefully.
Do not remove the pressure bandage or wet the insertedarm for 24 hours after insertion of the implant.
Refrain from heavy lifting and strenuous physical activityof the inserted arm for 7 days to allow the incision to fully close.
Do not remove the surgical strips, rather allowthem to fall off on there own after several days.
Dosing?Histrelin is placed under the skin of theinside of your upper arm. After it is placed under the skin it will give yourbody histrelin for 12 months.
- For 12-month implant dosage form :
- For prostate cancer
- Adults?one implant every 12 months.
Missed dose?If you are using this medicine every 12 monthsand you miss a dose, receive it as soon as possible, and go back to your regulardosing schedule.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Keep the medicine from freezing.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
It is very important that your doctor check your progress atregular visits to ensure histrelin implant is in place and functioningin your body.
This medicine may cause loss in bone mineral density with extended treatment. Loss in bone mineral density can lead tothe thinning of bones (osteoporosis). If you have any questions about thisask your doctor.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicinemay cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects mayoccur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention.These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to themedicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effectscontinue or are bothersome.
More Common
Decrease in testicle size; feeling ofwarmth; local infection, irritation, redness or swellingto skin ; redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally,upper chest; sudden sweating
Less common
Decreased interest in sexual intercourse; difficulty having a bowel movement (stool); flushing,redness of skin; headache; inability to have or keep an erection; loss in sexualability, desire, drive, or performance; sleeplessness; trouble sleeping; swellingof the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males; unable to sleep; unusually warm skin
Reported during clinical trials
Abnormal ejaculation; appetite increased; bone pain; breast pain; breast tenderness; burningwhile urinating; collection of blood under skin; confusion; dark urine; deep, dark purple bruise; difficultyin moving; difficult or painful urination; discouragement; dizziness; dry mouth; dullness; extra heart beat; fast, irregular, pounding, or racingheartbeat or pulse; feeling cold; feeling sad or empty; feeling of sluggishness; fever with or without chills; food craving; general feeling of discomfort or illness; incoherent speech; increased hair growthon forehead, back, arms, and legs; increased needto urinate; irritability; itching, pain, redness, or swelling; itching orpain of the genital area; joint pain; large amount of cholesterol in the blood; large, flat, blue or purplish patches in the skin; light-colored stools; loss of interest or pleasure; metallic taste; muscleweakness; muscle aching or cramping; muscle pain or stiffness; muscle twitching; neck pain; night sweats; noisy, rattling breathing; pain; pain in limb; painor burning while urinating; pale skin; shakiness in legs, arms, hands, feet; shortness of breath; stent occlusion; stomach pain; stomach soreness or discomfort; sweating increased; swollenjoint; tightness in chest; tingling of hands or feet; trembling or shaking ofhands or feet; trouble concentrating; trouble sleeping; unusual bleeding orbruising; unusual drowsiness; unusual weight loss; wheezing; yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Ifyou notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Developed: 11/29/2005
