Triptorelin

What is the most important information I should know about triptorelin?

Triptorelin initially causes a temporary increase in serum testosterone levels. Because of this, symptoms of prostate cancer may worsen during the first weeks of treatment. Notify your doctor if you experience new or worsening symptoms such as bone pain; blood in the urine; difficulty urinating; or numbness, tingling, weakness, or paralysis.

What is triptorelin?

Triptorelin reduces the amount of testosterone produced in the body.

Triptorelin is used in the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer.

Triptorelin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using triptorelin?

Do not use triptorelin without first talking to your doctor if you are allergic to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) or other similar drugs such as leuprolide (Lupron, Viadur, Eligard) or goserelin (Zoladex) . You may not be able to use triptorelin or you may require special monitoring during treatment.

Before using triptorelin, tell your doctor if you have

• metastatic back bone (spinal) lesions, or
• a urinary tract obstruction.

You may not be able to use triptorelin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

Triptorelin is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that triptorelin will cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use this medication if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether triptorelin passes into breast milk. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use triptorelin?

Triptorelin must be administered under the supervision of a physician.

Triptorelin is injected into the muscle, usually once a month.

Your doctor or nurse will rotate the site of the injection periodically.

Triptorelin initially causes a temporary increase in serum testosterone levels. Because of this, symptoms of prostate cancer may worsen during the first weeks of treatment. Notify your doctor if you experience new or worsening symptoms such as bone pain; blood in the urine; difficulty urinating; or numbness, tingling, weakness, or paralysis.

Triptorelin vials for injection should be stored at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of triptorelin.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of triptorelin is unlikely to occur. If you do suspect that an overdose has occurred, contact your doctor, hospital emergency room, or poison control center for advice.

What should I avoid while using triptorelin?

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activities while using triptorelin. Follow any special instructions given by your doctor.

What are the possible side effects of triptorelin?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop using triptorelin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
• difficulty urinating or blood in the urine;
• bone pain; or
• numbness, tingling, weakness, or paralysis.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor if you experience

• hot flashes;
• increased blood pressure;
• impotence;
• nausea or vomiting;
• dizziness;
• headache; or
• pain at the injection site.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect triptorelin?

It is not known whether triptorelin will interact with other medicines. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products during treatment with triptorelin.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about triptorelin written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Triptorelin is available with a prescription under the brand name Trelstar in an injectable depot formulation. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2003 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.03. Revision date: 2/13/04.