Triptorelin is used on its own or together with surgery or radiation therapy to treat prostate cancer in men. It is used for those whose tumour has spread to other parts of the body.
This medicine may also be used together with other medicines to treat a certain type of an early stage breast cancer.
It may also be used to treat endometriosis (condition when the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows in other places) and uterine fibroids (abnormal non-cancerous growths in the uterus).
Triptorelin may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Triptorelin injection is given either intramuscularly (into the muscles, usually in the buttocks) or subcutaneously (into the fatty layer under the skin, usually in the abdomen or thighs).
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your condition and response to the medication.
Triptorelin must be used regularly for it to be effective. Continue using this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop using it unless instructed by the doctor.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Triptorelin.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- unexplained vaginal bleeding
- severe osteoporosis (thinning and weakening of bones)
as Triptorelin may not be suitable for you.
Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with Triptorelin, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child. Birth control medicines containing hormones may not be effective. You may wish to discuss other reliable methods of birth control with your doctor.
Do not use Triptorelin if you are breastfeeding.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart disease e.g. heart failure, heart rhythm problems
- imbalance of essential minerals in the body
- history of depression
- with or a history of epilepsy (fits or seizures)
- conditions which increase the risk of osteoporosis e.g. family history of osteoporosis, smoking, malnutrition, long term alcohol use
- bladder problems
Different brands of Triptorelin are indicated for a specific condition. Do not switch brands unless instructed by your doctor.
If you are going to have a laboratory test (e.g. test for pituitary gland or gonads), inform your doctor that you are being treated with this medicine.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Pregnancy tests must be done before treatment to know if Triptorelin is suited for you to use.
- Your blood pressure may rise to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure regularly during treatment.
- Routine tests (e.g. sugar/electrolyte levels, levels of hormones in women or men, bone mineral density) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you will need to have these tests.
Triptorelin may cause any of the following side effects: headache, dizziness, nausea, stomach discomfort, dry mouth, weight gain, hot flushes, difficulty sleeping, joint, muscle or back pain, breast pain, increased sweating, acne or pimples, and injection site pain, redness or swelling.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes, mouth or throat
- fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain
- fits or seizures
- unusual changes in mood or behaviour (being too depressed, irritable, agitated, or having compulsive and impulsive behaviour)
- increased thirst, increased urination, fruity breath odour
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. quinidine, disopyramide, amiodarone, sotalol
- moxifloxacin (certain antibiotic)
- methadone (strong painkiller)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Triptorelin.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a refrigerator between 2-8°C or in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children. Protect from light.
Do not freeze this medicine otherwise it will no longer be effective and should not be used.
Available products of Triptorelin may vary with its storage requirements. Ask your doctor or pharmacist on how to properly store this medicine.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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