Histrelin Acetate, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Generic and brand names: histrelin acetate, injection; Supprelin

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shots) to stop the early onset of puberty in girls younger than 8 years old and boys younger than 9 and a half years old. These injections must be given each day for a period of time to be determined by your health care provider.

How do I use it?

These injections must be given at about the same time every day. If a schedule is not maintained, the treatment will fail. Each vial of this medicine is for a single use. Throw out any leftover portion of a vial.

The shots are given just under the skin. Your health care provider will determine the exact dosage. If your health care provider is giving you the shots, keep all your appointments.

Sometimes you can give yourself these shots or have someone at home give them to you. Be sure you know how and when to have shots and how much medicine to use. Use sterile, disposable syringes and needles. Use each syringe and needle only once and dispose of them safely, following your health care provider's instructions. Carefully read and follow the directions that come in the package of medicine for preparing the shots. Wash your hands before using this medicine. Follow these steps to give yourself the shots:

1. Your health care provider will tell you where you can give yourself the shots (abdomen, thigh, upper arm, or other sites). If you are giving the shot in your abdomen, choose a site around the belly button but not in the belly button. Each day, choose a different spot for the shot to lessen irritation.
2. Use an alcohol swab to clean the skin where you will give yourself the shot.
3. Gently pinch up the skin and insert the needle into the skin at a 45° angle. After you insert the needle completely, release your grasp of the skin.
4. Inject all of the solution by gently and steadily pushing down the plunger.
5. After you have given yourself the shot, withdraw the needle and syringe and press an alcohol swab on the spot where the shot was given.
6. Discard the syringe, needle, and drug vial. Use the syringes and needles ONLY ONCE. Throw them away after use. Put used needles in rigid puncture-resistant containers with lids or caps, such as heavy plastic bleach bottles with screw caps. DO NOT throw needles directly into garbage cans or dumpsters.

When you repeat the procedure, use a new pack. If you are not sure of how to give yourself the shots, ask your health care provider or pharmacist for help.

What should I watch out for?

Your health care provider will want to check your progress frequently during treatment. Keep all appointments.

Girls may have a light menstrual flow during the first month of treatment. Contact your health care provider if there is any vaginal bleeding after the first month.

Irritation, redness, or swelling may occur on the skin where injections are given. If these reactions are severe, contact your health care provider. If you have swelling around the mouth, hives, tightness in your chest, itching, or trouble breathing, stop using the medicine and call your health care provider right away.

Females of childbearing age: Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Serious reactions can occur. If you become pregnant while receiving these injections, contact your health care provider right away.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your health care provider right away. If you are unable to reach your health care provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; tightness in your chest; swelling around your mouth, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing.).

Other: Redness, itching, vaginal bleeding, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, mood changes, flushing, joint or muscle pains.

What products might interact with this medicine?

No significant drug interactions have been reported.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

This medicine comes in 7-day kits that must be kept refrigerated until use. Allow the medicine to warm to room temperature and then inject it immediately. Protect the medicine from light and heat.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.