In the U.S.—

• Antineoplastic

Triptorelin ( TRIP-toe-rel-in) is similar to a hormone normally released from the hypothalamus gland.

When given regularly to men, triptorelin decreases testosterone levels. Reducing the amount of testosterone in the body is one way of treating cancer of the prostate.

Triptorelin is to be given only under the supervision of your doctor. It is to be injected into a muscle and is available in the following dosage form:

Parenteral
• Injection (U.S.)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For triptorelin, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to triptorelin, other luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) products or LHRH itself. Also tell your health care provider if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives.

Pregnancy—Triptorelin use is not recommended during pregnancy. In animals, it has been shown to cause harm to the fetus or problems in the mother. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether triptorelin passes into breast milk. However, triptorelin is not recommended during breast-feeding, because it may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies.

Children—Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of triptorelin in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults— Many medicines have not been tested in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of triptorelin in the elderly with use in other age groups, it has been used mostly in elderly patients and is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

• Cancer that has spread to the backbone or
• Problems in passing urine—Conditions may get worse for a short time after treatment with triptorelin is started

Triptorelin sometimes causes unwanted effects such as hot flashes or decreased sexual ability. It may also cause a temporary increase in pain or difficulty in urinating. However, it is very important that you continue to use the medicine. Do not stop using this medicine without first checking with your doctor.

Dosing—

The dose of triptorelin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of triptorelin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For long-acting (1-month) injection dosage forms:
  • For cancer of the prostate:
    • Adults—3.75 milligrams (mg) injected into a muscle once a month.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, receive it as soon as possible and then go back to your regular dosing 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.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Dispose of used syringes properly in the container provided. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Less common
  • Bladder pain;  bloody or cloudy urine ;  decrease in urine volume or frequency of urination ;  difficulty in passing urine;  frequent urge to urinate;  high blood pressure;  lower back or side pain;  painful urination ;  pale skin;  troubled breathing ;  unusual bleeding or bruising;  unusual tiredness or weakness  
  
  

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 the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome.

• More common
  • Decreased interest in sexual intercourse;  feeling of warmth or redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest;  headache;  inability to have or keep an erection;  loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance;  sudden sweating 
  
  

• Less common
  • Crying;  diarrhea;  dizziness;  injection site pain;  itching;  leg pain;  mental depression;  paranoia;  rapidly changing moods;  trouble sleeping or getting to sleep ;  vomiting 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.