Triptodur
Triptodur (triptorelin) is used to treat central precocious puberty, a condition where a child goes through puberty earlier than they should. It's given as an injection into the muscle, only once about every 6 months. The most common side effects include pain and redness at the injection site.
What is Triptodur (triptorelin)?
What is Triptodur (triptorelin) used for?
- Central precocious puberty (puberty that happens at an earlier age than it should)
How Triptodur (triptorelin) works
Triptodur (triptorelin) is a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. It works by lowering the amount of certain hormones from your child's brain that are released when a child undergoes puberty. This helps slow down the puberty process.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Triptodur |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Triptodur (triptorelin)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Injection-site pain (45%)
- Injection-site redness (14%)
- Infections (up to 14%)
- Headache (14%)
- Vaginal bleeding (8%)
- Cough (7%)
- Hot flash (5%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Injection-site itching
- Injecting-site swelling
- Anxiety
- Changes in mood
The following Triptodur (triptorelin) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions or angioedema—skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs, trouble swallowing or breathing
- Increased pressure around the brain—severe headache, blurry vision, change in vision, nausea, vomiting
- Rapid or extreme change in emotion or mood
- Rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
- Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
- Seizures
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Cough
- Headache
- Hot flashes
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
Pros and cons of Triptodur (triptorelin)
Pros
- Works well to treat CPP
- Only needs to be given every 6 months
- Can be used in children as young as 2 years old
Cons
- Needs to be injected into the muscle
- Brand name only, which can be expensive
- Needs to be given under the supervision of a healthcare provider
Pharmacist tips for Triptodur (triptorelin)
- When your child first starts Triptodur (triptorelin), your child's puberty symptoms will get worse before they start to get better. The symptoms typically go away a few weeks after the first dose of Triptodur (triptorelin). Contact your child's provider if you have any concerns or if these symptom don't go away within 2 months of the Triptodur (triptorelin) injection.
- Some children have experienced mood or behavior changes after starting Triptodur (triptorelin) treatments. These include crying more, feeling irritable, or anger. Let all of your child's caregivers know so they're aware of these possible changes.
- Make sure to mark your calendar with your child's appointments to see their provider and receive their dose of Triptodur (triptorelin) so they can be properly monitored to make sure Triptodur (triptorelin) is safe and working well for them.
Risks and warnings for Triptodur (triptorelin)
Triptodur (triptorelin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Worsening of puberty symptoms at the beginning of treatment
At the start of Triptodur (triptorelin) treatment, your child's puberty symptoms, such as vaginal bleeding, will get worse before it starts to get better. This is caused by a temporary rise in the sex hormones at the start of treatment. These symptoms will go away after a few weeks or after future doses of the medication. If you've any concerns about this, talk with your child's provider.
Mood and behavior problems
Some children taking Triptodur (triptorelin) experienced abnormal mood and behavior problems, including symptoms such as crying, irritable feeling, impatience, anger, and aggression. If you notice these symptoms in your child while they're being treated with Triptodur (triptorelin), contact your child's provider.
Uncontrolled muscle spasms
- Risk factors: History of seizures | Having other problems related to the brain | Taking medications that raise the risk for seizures
Some children had convulsions while being treated with Triptodur (triptorelin). This is a condition where you have uncontrolled muscle spasms. Your child's risk for convulsions is higher if they have a history of seizures, brain problems, or are taking medications that raises their risk for seizures (e.g., bupropion (Wellbutrin), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).
High blood pressure in the brain
Triptodur (triptorelin) can cause a condition where there's high blood pressure in the vessels of the brain. Symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, and throbbing sounds within the head. If you or your child notice any of these symptoms, contact your child's provider right away.
Triptodur (triptorelin) dosage
Typical dosage for Triptodur (triptorelin)
The typical dose is 22.5 mg injected into the muscle by a healthcare provider about every 6 months.
Triptodur (triptorelin) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Triptodur (triptorelin) will not be safe for you to take.
- Pregnancy
