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Supprelin LA

Generic name: histrelin (implant) [ his-TREL-in ]
Drug classes: Gonadotropin releasing hormones, Hormones / antineoplastics

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Sep 25, 2023.

What is Supprelin LA?

Supprelin LA is a man-made form of a hormone that regulates many processes in the body. Histrelin overstimulates the body's own production of certain hormones, which causes that production to shut down temporarily.

Supprelin LA implants are used to treat precocious puberty in both male and female children who are at least 2 years old.

Supprelin LA may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Supprelin LA can harm an unborn baby or cause a miscarriage. Do not use if you are pregnant.

Supprelin LA can cause side effects such as crying spells, anger, aggression, and feeling restless or irritable. Call your doctor if you have any new or worsening mental problems.

Before you receive Supprelin LA, tell your doctor if you have painful or difficult urination, diabetes, heart disease, coronary artery disease, liver disease, a history of heart attack or stroke, osteoporosis, or a condition affecting your spine.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as severe numbness or tingling in your legs or feet, muscle weakness, problems with balance or coordination, loss of bladder or bowel control, urinating more or less than usual, sudden numbness or severe headache, problems with speech or vision, increased thirst or urination, excessive hunger, or chest pain spreading to the arm or shoulder.

A Supprelin LA implant is usually left in place for 12 months and then removed. Your doctor will determine at that time whether you need to receive another implant for treatment of your symptoms.

Before I receive this medicine

You should not be treated with Supprelin LA if you are allergic to histrelin or to similar hormone medications such as leuprolide (Lupron, Eligard, Viadur), nafarelin (Synarel), or ganirelix (Antagon).

Do not use Supprelin LA if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby or cause a miscarriage. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

To make sure Supprelin LA is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using histrelin. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Supprelin LA should not be used in a child younger than 2 years old.

How is Supprelin LA given?

Supprelin LA is given in a tiny implant inserted under the skin on the inside of your upper arm. You will receive this implant with a minor surgical procedure in a clinic or doctor's office.

It is best to place the implant into your non-dominant arm (your left arm if you are right-handed). Be sure to tell your doctor which arm you use most often.

While lying on your back, your arm will be positioned with your elbow bent and held still while the implant is inserted. The skin of your upper arm will be treated with a numbing medicine to keep you from feeling pain during the insertion. Once your arm is numb, your doctor will use a scalpel to cut a small incision where the implant will be inserted.

The Supprelin LA implant is inserted using a special tool that pushes the implant into place through the incision in your skin. After injecting the implant and removing the insertion tool, your doctor will then feel your arm to make sure the implant has been correctly placed.

The incision in your skin may be closed with stitches or surgical strips. Follow your doctor's instructions about caring for the incision and keeping it bandaged and clean until it heals completely. Keep your arm dry for at least 24 hours.

You will most likely be able to feel the implant through your skin, but it should not cause pain or discomfort.

Call your doctor if you have any pain, swelling, tenderness, itching, tingling, bruising, or redness where the implant was inserted, or if the implant comes through the skin or falls out.

A Supprelin LA implant is usually left in place for 12 months and then must be removed through a surgical incision. Do not try to remove the implant yourself. Your doctor will determine whether you need another implant for continued treatment.

You may have a temporary increase in precocious puberty symptoms for a week or so after you have received the Supprelin LA implant.

To be sure this medicine is helping your condition, you may need frequent blood tests. Your blood work will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with Supprelin LA.

Histrelin can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Supprelin LA.

Dosing information

Usual Pediatric Dose for Precocious Puberty:

One 50 mg implant inserted subcutaneously in the inner aspect of the upper arm
Duration of therapy: The implant should be removed after 12 months.

Comments:
-To continue therapy, another implant may be inserted at the time an implant is removed.
-Discontinuation of therapy should be considered at the discretion of the physician and at the appropriate time point for the onset of puberty (approximately 11 years for females and 12 years for males).

Use:
Treatment of children with central precocious puberty

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since histrelin is given as an implant by a healthcare professional, it does not have a daily dosing schedule.

The implant should not be left in your arm for longer than 12 months. Call your doctor when it is time for your implant to be removed.

What happens if I overdose?

Since the Supprelin LA implant contains a specific amount of the medicine, you are not likely to receive an overdose.

What should I avoid after receiving a Supprelin LA implant?

For at least 7 days after your implant is inserted, avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting.

Supprelin LA side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Supprelin LA: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

Common Supprelin LA side effects may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Supprelin LA?

Other drugs may interact with histrelin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Popular FAQ

Supprelin LA is not the same as Lupron Depot-Ped, because Supprelin LA contains the active drug histrelin acetate, while Lupron Depot-Ped contains the active drug leuprolide acetate. Both belong to the class of medicines called gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GRHA) and both are approved to treat central precocious puberty (CPP) in children aged 2 years and older. Although they have not been compared directly in clinical studies, separate studies have found them both to be effective for CPP. Supprelin LA is available as a small implant that is placed under the skin of the upper arm by a healthcare provider, and it lasts for 12 months. Lupron Depot-Ped is given by intramuscular injection into the buttock, thigh, or deltoid muscle once a month so must be given 12 times a year. Continue reading

Supprelin LA starts to work within 4 weeks of implantation and by that time you should see signs that your child’s puberty is stopping. Do not be alarmed if during the first week of Supprelin LA treatment you an increase in signs of puberty in your child, such as light vaginal bleeding or breast enlargement in girls. This is to be expected because initially, Supprelin LA causes an increase in some hormones, but after 1 week, hormone levels decrease and puberty starts to abate. Continue reading

Further information

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

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.