Supprelin LA

Supprelin LA is a synthetic version of a natural hormone which is normally released from the hypothalamus in the brain.

It decreases the blood levels of estrogen and testosterone which are sex hormones. It is placed an implant under the skin, which releases small amounts of hormone for a year every day.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Implant
• Kit

Before using Supprelin LA, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. Your doctor will consider these risks before prescribing the drug and will inform you about them.

Following factors should be considered before taking this drug:

Allergies: If you have had an allergic reaction to this drug in the past, inform your doctor. You should also tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to any other drugs or food products.

Age-specific problems: The data regarding the effects of this medicine specific to the pediatric age group is not yet available. Its safety and efficacy have not been established in children. However, this hormonal analogue should not be used in children.

The studies specific to the geriatric age group have not been carried out, therefore its safety and efficacy have not been established in older age group. However, geriatric population is more prone to having kidney, liver and heart problems.

Pregnancy: Regarding the safety of usage of this drug during pregnancy, it comes under “X” category, which means that clinical trials on animals have revealed harmful effects to the developing fetus and it should never be used in pregnant women.

Drug Interactions: Certain drugs should not be used together because they can interact inside the body which can have a harmful effect. On the other hand, certain drugs are allowed to be used together.

So, you should tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking. If there is a chance of interaction between those two drugs, the doctor may change the dose or may prescribe an alternative drug.

This medication should be used cautiously with following drugs:

• Amiodarone
• Alfuzosin
• Anagrelide
• Amitriptyline
• Apomorphine
• Arsenic Trioxide
• Aripiprazole
• Asenapine
• Atazanavir
• Astemizole
• Azithromycin
• Chloroquine
• Bedaquiline
• Ciprofloxacin
• Chlorpromazine
• Citalopram
• Clomipramine
• Clarithromycin
• Clozapine
• Cyclobenzaprine
• Crizotinib
• Dabrafenib
• Delamanid
• Dasatinib
• Desipramine
• Dofetilide
• Disopyramide
• Domperidone
• Dolasetron
• Donepezil
• Droperidol
• Doxepin
• Ebastine
• Erythromycin
• Eribulin
• Famotidine
• Escitalopram
• Felbamate
• Flecainide
• Fingolimod
• Fluconazole
• Formoterol
• Fluoxetine
• Foscarnet
• Galantamine
• Fosphenytoin
• Gatifloxacin
• Granisetron
• Gemifloxacin
• Halofantrine
• Hydroquinidine
• Haloperidol
• Ibutilide
• Hydroxychloroquine
• Iloperidone
• Imipramine
• Ivabradine
• Itraconazole
• Ketoconazole
• Levofloxacin
• Lapatinib
• Lumefantrine
• Methadone
• Mefloquine
• Metronidazole
• Mizolastine
• Mifepristone
• Nelfinavir
• Moxifloxacin
• Norfloxacin
• Nilotinib
• Octreotide
• Olanzapine
• Ofloxacin
• Ondansetron
• Panobinostat
• Paliperidone
• Paroxetine
• Pazopanib
• Pasireotide
• Pentamidine
• Perphenazine
• Perflutren Lipid Microsphere
• Pipamperone
• Probucol
• Posaconazole
• Procainamide
• Promethazine
• Prochlorperazine
• Protriptyline
• Propafenone
• Quetiapine
• Quinine
• Quinidine
• Ranolazine
• Risperidone
• Rilpivirine
• Ritonavir
• Sevoflurane
• Sertindole
• Sodium Phosphate
• Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
• Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
• Solifenacin
• Sotalol
• Sorafenib
• Sunitinib
• Tamoxifen
• Tacrolimus
• Telaprevir
• Telithromycin
• Telavancin
• Tetrabenazine
• Tolterodine
• Tizanidine
• Toremifene
• Trimipramine
• Trazodone
• Vandetanib
• Vemurafenib
• Vardenafil
• Venlafaxine
• Vinflunine
• Vilanterol
• Vorinostat
• Voriconazole

Furthermore, certain medications should not be taken with alcohol or tobacco, which may also result in harmful interactions. Ask your doctor about the concurrent use of this drug along with alcohol or tobacco.

You should also inform your doctor about any other medical condition you may be suffering from, especially:

• Heart attack
• Diabetes
• Bladder blockage
• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
• Nerve problems in the spine from cancer lesions in the bones
• Kidney problems (reduced urine flow)
• Problems passing urine
• Stroke, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse in men
• Spinal cord problems
• Congestive heart failure
• Heart rhythm problems (eg, congenital long QT syndrome)—May causes side effects to become worse
• Electrolyte imbalance

To use Supprelin LA properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. This medication should only be administered by a doctor or a trained health professional.

This implant is placed in your upper arm under the skin. The doctor will inject the area with a local anesthetic first and make an incision to place the implant.

The incision is then closed with either stitches or surgical tape. A pressure bandage is then applied for one day. Do not remove the tapes. Let them fall off on their own after a few days. 

The implant will be left in place for one year (12 months) and then removed. If needed, your doctor will insert a new implant to continue treatment for another year. Follow each and every instruction of your doctor and also read the label carefully.

Before using Supprelin LA, there are some precautions you must take. Do not receive this implant if you are pregnant or prone to become pregnant because it can result in harmful effects on the fetus.

Use an effective form of birth control while you are on this drug. Your doctor will monitor the response to this medicine and look for any side effects.

Therefore, regular follow-up is necessary during and after the treatment. Contact your doctor if your symptoms have not improved even after taking the full course of treatment. 

Avoid taking any other medicine unless thoroughly discussed with your doctor. Always ask your doctor before using any prescription, non-prescription or herbal medicine.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Supprelin LA. Although these side effects may occur only in a handful of patients but if they do occur, contact your physician immediately.

This medication is associated with following side effects:

• decreased frequency or amount of urine
• bloody urine
• increased thirst
• lower back or side pain
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• trouble breathing
• swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weight gain
• vomiting
• abdominal or stomach pain
• dark urine
• bloating of the abdomen or stomach
• light-colored stools
• yellow eyes or skin
• seizures
• the feeling of warmth
• decrease in testicle size
• redness of the face, neck, arms, and upper chest
• local infection, irritation, pain, redness, or swelling on the skin where the implant was placed
• sudden sweating

Seek medical help instantly, if you experience any of these symptoms while on this drug. Also contact your healthcare professional immediately, if have overdosed on this drug. If any of these side effects becomes more bothersome or does not go away, contact your doctor.