What is Histrelin implant? 

HISTRELIN (Vantas™) implant releases  a continual dose  of a drug that  is like a natural hormone in  the body called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). The implant, a small, thin flexible tube,  is placed under  the skin. The implant delivers histrelin to your body continuously over 12 months. Certain diseases, such as prostate cancer, may respond to histrelin. Generic histrelin implants are not available. 

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine? 

They need to know if you have any of these conditions: 

• female (this implant is not for use  in women) 
• osteoporosis
• pain or difficulty passing urine 
• spinal cord metastasis 
• an unusual reaction  to Histrelin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives 

How should this medicine be used? 

The histrelin implant is placed under the skin of your arm by a health care professional  in a clinic or office. 

Following histrelin implant insertion, the insertion site should remain clean  and dry for a duration  of 24 hours. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for 7 days after implant insertion. The surgical strips over the site should be allowed  to fall off on their own over several days. 

This medicine is not indicated for use in children. 

What drug(s) may interact with Histrelin? 

• cimetidine 
• herbal  or dietary supplements, like black cohosh or DHEA 
• male hormones, like testosterone 
• methyldopa
• metoclopramide 
• prasterone
• some medicines for mood or mental problems 
• reserpine 

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user  of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect  the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any  of your medicines. 

What should I watch for while taking Histrelin? 

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. During the first week your symptoms may get worse, but then will improve as  you continue your treatment. You may get hot flashes, increased bone pain, increased difficulty passing urine, or an aggravation  of nerve symptoms. Discuss  these effects with your prescriber or health care professional; some of them may improve with continued use of histrelin. 

Histrelin acetate implant can be expelled from your body through  the original incision site. This occurs infrequently. You may notice the system being expelled, or rarely, the system may be expelled without your noticing it. If  you believe the histrelin implant has been expelled from  your body, call your doctor. 

What side effects may I notice from receiving Histrelin? 

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or  health care professional as soon as possible:

• blood in your urine 
• chest pain 
• difficulty breathing 
• difficulty urinating or cannot urinate 
• loss of bladder or bowel control 
• new or worse bone pain 
• pain in your legs or groin 
• pain at the insertion site 
• severe headache
• visual changes 
• vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome): 

• breast swelling and tenderness 
• constipation
• decreased sexual desire or ability (impotence) 
• hot flashes (sudden feelings of warmth or sweating) 
• inability to sleep (insomnia) 
• redness or irritation at the insertion site 
• testicles become smaller 
• urination problems 
• weight gain 

Where can I keep my medicine? 

This does not apply. The implants are only inserted in an office or clinic setting. 

Notes: Dr. Nelson Crumfield

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EditText of this page (last edited June 28, 2010)