Pocket Drug Guide

Prostate Cancer

Endometriosis – a condition in which the tissue that normally lines the uterus (endometrium) grows in other places.

• if you know that you are allergic to triptorelin or similar types of drugs (other GnRH analogues) or any of the other ingredients.

• if your prostate cancer has spread to your spine or if the tumour is pressing on your spine.

Take special care with Decapeptyl SR:

In adults if triptorelin or other GnRH analogues are used for a long period of time you may increase the risk of developing thin or weak bones. If you have anything wrong with you that affects your bones, such as osteoporosis, tell your doctor. This may affect the way your doctor decides to treat you.

When you first start treatment with Decapeptyl SR it actually increases the level of your hormones for a short time. This means that you may feel worse to begin with.

After a short time the amount

of hormone will drop and your symptoms will get better.

Tell your doctor if you:

• notice blood in your urine or if you find it difficult or painful to urinate.

• have back pain, weakness, numbness or tingling in your legs.

Your doctor may give you another drug to help you feel better during this time.

Taking other medicines:

Drugs which increase the level of a hormone called prolactin may react with Decapeptyl SR. Many different kinds of drugs may increase prolactin levels.

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, or have recently taken, any other medicine – including medicines obtained without a prescription.

Driving and using machines:

Decapeptyl SR should not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.

• if you know that you are allergic to triptorelin or similar types of drugs (other GnRH analogues) or any of the other ingredients.

• if you are pregnant.

Take special care with Decapeptyl SR:

In adults if triptorelin or other GnRH analogues are used for a long period of time you may increase the risk of developing thin or weak bones. If you have anything wrong with you that affects your bones, such as osteoporosis, tell your doctor. This may affect the way your doctor decides to treat you.

When you first start treatment with Decapeptyl SR

it actually increases the level of your hormones for a short time. This means that you may feel worse to begin with.

After a short time the amount of hormone will drop and your symptoms will get better. You may have some vaginal bleeding in the first month of treatment. After that your periods normally stop.

Tell your doctor if you have bleeding after the first month of treatment. Your periods should start about 5 months after the last injection. You must use some form of contraception other than the “pill” while you are having treatment and for 3 months after the last injection. Your doctor may suggest using a barrier method of contraception such as a condom or diaphragm (cap).

Taking other medicines:

Drugs which increase the level of a hormone called prolactin may react with Decapeptyl SR. Many different kinds of drugs may increase prolactin levels.

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, or have recently taken, any other medicine -including medicines obtained without a prescription.

Pregnancy and breast feeding:

Do not take Decapeptyl SR if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Driving and using machines:

Decapeptyl SR should not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.

• if you know that you are allergic to triptorelin

or similar types of drugs (other GnRH analogues) or any of the other ingredients. Take special care with Decapeptyl SR:

Girls who have an early puberty may have some vaginal bleeding in the first month of treatment.

Taking other medicines:

Drugs which increase the level of a hormone called prolactin may react with Decapeptyl SR. Many different kinds of drugs may increase prolactin levels. Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, or have recently taken, any other medicine – including medicines obtained without a prescription.

You will normally receive an injection once every 3 months.

If you are given more Decapeptyl SR than you should:

If you are given too much Decapeptyl SR you may experience additional or more severe side effects.

If you forget to take a dose of Decapeptyl SR:

As soon as you realise that you have missed an injection you should tell your doctor. You will then be given your next injection. If you stop receiving Decapeptyl SR:

If you stop receiving your Decapeptyl SR injection before your doctor tells you to then your symptoms are likely to return.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

You will normally receive two injections, the second one three months after the first. Each  injection will be given in the first five days of your period.

If you are given more Decapeptyl SR than you should:

If you are given too much Decapeptyl SR you may experience additional or more severe side effects.

If you forget to take a dose of Decapeptyl SR:

As soon as you realise that you have missed an

injection you should tell your doctor. You will then be given your next injection.

If you stop receiving Decapeptyl SR:

If you stop receiving your Decapeptyl SR injection before your doctor tells you to then your symptoms are likely to return.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

You will normally receive an injection once every 3 months.

Your doctor will decide when treatment should be stopped (normally when you are about 12 if you are a girl and about 13-14 if you area boy).

If you are given more Decapeptyl SR than you should:

If you are given too much Decapeptyl SRyou may

experience additional or more severe side effects.

(see Section 4.,Possible Side Effects‘).

If you forget to take a dose of Decapeptyl SR:

As soon as you realise that you have missed an injection you should tell your doctor. You will then be given your next injection.

If you stop receiving Decapeptyl SR:

If you stop receiving your Decapeptyl SR injection

before your doctor tells you to then your symptoms are likely to return.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects which are very common (more than 1 in 10 patients treated) are hot flushes, decreased sex drive and impotence.

At the beginning of treatment, increased bone pain, getting blood in your urine, back pain, weakness and numbness or tingling in your legs are common.

Side effects that are uncommon (less than 1 in 100 patients treated) are high blood pressure, increased size of your breasts, difficulty in sleeping, mood swings, mental illness and a feeling of dizziness or ‘spinning’.

Side effects that are rare (less than 1 in 1000 patients treated) are allergic reactions e.g. rash, itching, inflammation of the vein (phlebitis), dry mouth or excessive salivation, headaches, asthma coming back, fever, sweating, weight increase, pain/redness/ hardening where you had the injection, stomach ache, feeling or being sick, slight hair loss and problems with your eyesight.

If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not mentioned in this post, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

At the beginning of treatment the symptoms of endometriosis (pelvic pain, painful periods) may be worse. These symptoms should disappear in one or two weeks. Vaginal bleeding may occur in the month after the first injection.

During treatment you may have side effects due to low oestrogen levels such as hot flushes, sweating, sleep disturbances, headache, mood swings, vaginal dryness, pain during sex, and a lower sex drive than usual.

Pain, redness or swelling may occur where you had the injection.

You may also have breast pain, muscle cramps, Joint pain, weight gain, sickness, stomach ache, weakness, increased blood pressure, problems with your eyesight, skin rash, swelling and hair loss.

You may have some thinning or weakening of bone during treatment. This is thought to be reversible.

If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not mentioned in this post, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Girls commonly (less than 1 in 10 patients treated) may get some vaginal bleeding in the first month of treatment. Pain, redness or swelling where you had the injection and pain in your joints are also common.

Children have rarely (less than 1 in 1000 patients treated) had side effects such as: allergic reactions, headache, weight gain, increased blood pressure, problems with your eyesight, stomach ache, being sick, having nosebleeds, feeling tired and ill, having aching muscles, feeling emotional and feeling nervous.

If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not mentioned in this post, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.