Is Vantas (histrelin) still available?

No, Vantas (histrelin) was discontinued by the manufacturer in [September 2021](https://www.ashp.org/drug-shortages/current-shortages/drug-shortage-detail.aspx?id=716&loginreturnUrl=SSOCheckOnly), and it's no longer available in the United States. The exact reason this medication was discontinued is unclear.

What can I use instead of Vantas (histrelin)?

There are other GnRH agonists that work similarly to Vantas (histrelin) to treat the symptoms of prostate cancer. One of them is [Firmagon (degarelix)](https://www.goodrx.com/firmagon/what-is), a monthly injection that's given under the skin by a healthcare provider. Another is [Zoladex (goserelin)](https://www.goodrx.com/zoladex/what-is) which is an implant that's placed under the skin, like Vantas (histrelin). The main difference is that Zoladex has to be replaced every 3 months, whereas Vantas (histrelin) could be left in place for 12 months. Talk to your provider about the medication that's best for you.

Vantas

histrelin

Used for Prostate Cancer

Vantas (histrelin) is used to relieve symptoms of advanced prostate cancer. It's an implant that's placed under your skin once every 12 months through a minor surgical procedure. This product has been discontinued and is no longer available in the United States.

Reviewed by:

Sarah Lobello Pearson, PharmD

Daisy Chau, PharmD

Last reviewed on November 29, 2022

What is Vantas (histrelin)?

What is Vantas (histrelin) used for?

Advanced prostate cancer

Are you looking for information on Supprelin LA (histrelin) for early puberty instead?

Drug facts

Common Brands	Vantas(brand no longer available)
Drug Class	GnRH agonist
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	No lower-cost generic available
Availability	Discontinued

Common Brands

Vantas(brand no longer available)

Drug Class

GnRH agonist

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

No lower-cost generic available

Availability

Discontinued

Common questions about Vantas

Vantas is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, which is a man-made hormone similar to the GnRH your body naturally makes. GnRH can lower the level of testosterone, another natural hormone in your body that causes prostate cancer cells to grow. So by lowering testosterone, Vantas will slow down cancer growth. It doesn't cure prostate cancer, but can relieve some of the symptoms. Vantas is an implant placed under your skin in the upper arm through a minor surgical procedure. The implant delivers 50 mg of histrelin and is replaced once every 12 months.

No, Vantas was discontinued by the manufacturer in September 2021, and it's no longer available in the United States. The exact reason this medication was discontinued is unclear.

There are other GnRH agonists that work similarly to Vantas to treat the symptoms of prostate cancer. One of them is Firmagon (degarelix), a monthly injection that's given under the skin by a healthcare provider. Another is Zoladex (goserelin) which is an implant that's placed under the skin, like Vantas. The main difference is that Zoladex has to be replaced every 3 months, whereas Vantas could be left in place for 12 months. Talk to your provider about the medication that's best for you.

Vantas (histrelin) dosage

Typical dosage for Vantas (histrelin)

Interactions between Vantas (histrelin) and other drugs

Vantas (histrelin) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Vantas (histrelin). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Bepridil
Cisapride
Dronedarone
Mesoridazine
Pimozide
Piperaquine
Saquinavir
Sparfloxacin
Terfenadine
Thioridazine
Ziprasidone

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.