Histrelin
Histrelin Acetate Implant
What is this medicine?
HISTRELIN (his TREL in) is used to treat the symptoms of advanced prostate cancer. The implant contains a drug that is like a natural hormone in the body called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). It is placed under the skin and releases the drug over 12 months.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
diabetes
female (this implant is not for use in women)
heart disease or previous heart attack
high blood pressure
high cholesterol
pain or trouble passing urine
spinal cord metastasis
stroke
tobacco smoker
an unusual or allergic reaction to histrelin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is placed under the skin of your arm by a health care professional in a clinic or office. After the implant is placed, keep the insertion site clean and dry for 24 hours. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for 7 days after implant insertion. The surgical strips over the site should be allowed to fall off on their own over several days. The implant must be removed after 12 months. At this time, a new implant may be inserted to continue therapy.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. This medicine is not approved for use in children.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply. After 1 year, the implant will have to be removed. If you need to continue this medicine, the implant will be replaced at that time.
What may interact with this medicine?
female hormones, like estrogens or progestins and birth control pills, patches, rings, or injections
herbal or dietary supplements, like black cohosh or DHEA
male hormones, like testosterone
medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
prasterone
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. During the first week, your symptoms may get worse but then will start to get better as you continue your treatment. You may get hot flashes, increased bone pain, increased difficulty passing urine, or an aggravation of nerve symptoms. Discuss these effects with your doctor or health care professional. Some of these may get better with continued use of this medicine.
Rarely, the implant can be expelled from the body through the original incision site. It is possible that you may see the implant being expelled, or rarely, the implant may be expelled without you noticing it. If you believe the implant has been expelled from your body, call your doctor.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
blood in your urine
changes in vision
loss of bladder or bowel control
new or worse bone pain
pain at the insertion site
severe headache
trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
breast enlargement
change in sex drive or performance
constipation
hot flashes (sudden feelings of warmth or sweating)
redness or irritation at the insertion site
testicles become smaller
trouble sleeping
weight gain
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medicine?
This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.
Histrelin Acetate Implant [Precocious puberty]
What is this medicine?
HISTRELIN (his TREL in) is used to treat central precocious puberty. The implant contains a drug that is like a natural hormone in the body called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
an unusual or allergic reaction to Histrelin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is placed under the skin of your arm by a health care professional in a clinic or office. After the implant is placed, keep the insertion site clean and dry for 24 hours. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for 7 days after implant insertion. The surgical strips over the site should be allowed to fall off on their own over several days. The implant must be removed after 12 months. At this time, a new implant may be inserted to continue therapy.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply. After 1 year, the implant will have to be removed. If you need to continue this medicine, the implant will be replaced at that time.
What may interact with this medicine?
female hormones, like estrogens or progestins and birth control pills, patches, rings, or injections
herbal or dietary supplements, like black cohosh or DHEA
male hormones, like testosterone
medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
prasterone
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor for regular checks on your progress. During the first few weeks, the symptoms of puberty may get worse, but then will start to get better as treatment is continued. Check with your doctor if they do not start to get better after several weeks.
Rarely, the implant can be expelled from the body through the original incision site. You may notice the implant being expelled, or rarely, the implant may be expelled without your noticing it. If you believe the implant has been expelled from your body, call your doctor.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
changes in vision
pain at the insertion site
severe headache
vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
redness or irritation at the insertion site
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medicine?
This does not apply. This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.
Updated:
March 21, 2017
Sources:
U.S. FDA-approved Package Insert