Drug Notes

Histrelin (Implant)

Histrelin (his-TREL-in)

Supprelin® LA treats early onset of puberty in children. Vantas® treats symptoms of advanced prostate cancer. Vantas® does not cure cancer.

Brand Name(s):

Supprelin LA, Vantas

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Implant

• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• This medicine is an implant that is placed under the skin of the upper arm during a minor procedure. The cut will be closed with stitches or surgical strips. Leave the bandage on your arm for a few days until the area heals.
• Do not remove the surgical strips. Let them fall off on their own (after several days). If you have stitches, either your doctor with remove them or they will dissolve on their own.
• Keep the arm clean and dry and do not swim or bathe for 24 hours. Do not lift anything heavy or do strenuous exercise for the first 7 days.
• You will have the implant for 1 year, and then your doctor will remove it. You may have a new one put in for another year.
• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Missed dose: If you miss your appointment to remove or insert the implant, call your doctor to make another appointment as soon as possible.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Both types of implants:
  • This medicine is not intended for use in women, especially during pregnancy. It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. .
  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
  • The cut in your arm should heal within 2 weeks.
• Supprelin® LA implant:
  • This medicine can cause a brief increase in some hormones. You may notice more signs of puberty in your child for a short time. This includes light vaginal bleeding and breast enlargement in girls. If your child's symptoms do not improve within 4 weeks, or if they get worse, call your doctor.
• Vantas® implant:
  • Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, trouble urinating, diabetes, heart disease, heart failure, heart rhythm problems (such as long QT syndrome), spinal cord (back) problems, or a history of heart attack or stroke.
  • This medicine may cause the following problems:
    • Increased testosterone levels during the first week of treatment
    • Spinal cord problems
    • Trouble urinating
    • Changes in blood sugar level
    • Increased risk of a heart attack or stroke
    • Change in heart rhythm, such as QT prolongation
  • If you need to have a CT scan or MRI, tell the doctor in charge that you have the implant.
  • This medicine can cause a brief increase in hormones. Your symptoms may get worse for a few weeks at first. Call your doctor if the symptoms do not get better within 4 weeks or if they are severe.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Both types of implants:
  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
  • Implant comes out of the incision
  • Skin bruises, bleeding, pain, redness, swelling, or soreness where the implant was inserted
• Vantas® implant:
  • Back pain, weakness, numbness or tingling
  • Bone pain
  • Change in how much or how often you urinate, red or dark brown urine, trouble urinating
  • Chest pain that may spread, trouble breathing, nausea, unusual sweating, fainting
  • Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
  • Numbness or weakness on one side of your body, sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking
  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Both types of implants:
  • Breast pain or swelling
  • Scarring
  • Weight gain
• Supprelin® LA implant:
  • Changes in monthly periods
• Vantas® implant:
  • Decrease in the size of the testicles
  • Feeling tired
  • Hot flashes, night sweats

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017