If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effect not listed within this website and the patient information leaflet in the pack.
You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at http://www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Information about the hormonal prostate cancer treatment Decapeptyl SR (triptorelin).
Decapeptyl SR is prescribed when a doctor believes it is a suitable treatment for an individual patient’s prostate cancer.
It is important to talk to a doctor or other member of the healthcare team if you have prostate cancer and any have any questions or concerns about your treatment.
Please read the patient information leaflet (PIL) for the dosing option that your doctor has prescribed. It is a good idea to keep a copy of this handy and refer back to it from time to time.
The frequency of the injection will depend on the dosing option of Decapeptyl® SR that has been prescribed.
Decapeptyl SR is given by injection into a muscle, usually a buttock but may be given elsewhere.1-3 The injection will be given by a doctor or nurse at a hospital or GP practice and cannot be self-injected.
Your doctor or nurse should have discussed your dosing options with you and told you how often you need to have your injections.
If you would like to discuss the frequency of your injections, please speak to your doctor or nurse. Remember that there may be medical reasons why your doctor or nurse has recommended that you should have a particular injection frequency.
Decapeptyl SR is a type of hormone therapy used to treat certain types of prostate cancer. 1-3
This includes
Decapeptyl SR contains the active ingredient triptorelin which acts similar to a naturally occurring hormone in the body called gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). 1-3 This hormone is also known as luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH).
Triptorelin helps to lower the level of testosterone in the body.1-3 This in turn reduces the ability of prostate cancer cells to grow as they need testosterone to do so.
Your doctor or nurse should have discussed any warnings or precautions with you before your first dose. It is a good idea to remind yourself of these by reading the patient information leaflet.
For instance, do not use Decapeptyl SR if you are likely to be allergic to this type of medicine (LHRH agonist) or any of the ingredients (triptorelin) it contains.1-3
If after reading the patient information leaflet you have any questions or concerns, please contact your doctor or nurse to discuss them.
Most of the side effects of Decapeptyl SR arise because it works by lowering the levels of testosterone in your body.1-3 These side effects include hot flushes, impotence, and decreased sex drive (libido).
If you experience any effects from your treatment which make you uncomfortable, or cause you distress, please talk to your doctor or nurse. They will be happy to help and can provide treatment and/or advice. They can also tell you about local patient support groups where you can share your experiences with people who understand what you are going through.
You should tell your doctor or nurse if you think your symptoms have worsened or changed, particularly if you are experiencing more pain and/or if you have difficulty passing urine during your treatment.
On very rare occasions there may be a severe allergic reaction, hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis.
If you develop symptoms such as swallowing or breathing problems, a rash, swelling of the lips, face, throat or tongue you must tell your doctor or nurse and get medical help immediately.
Side effects that have been associated with Decapeptyl SR in men being treated for prostate cancer are given here.1-3 These are grouped into four categories according to how many people might be affected.
Talk to your doctor or nurse if you develop any of these side effects or a depressed mood as these can and should be treated.1-3
Click on the side effect category to reveal the list of side effects
There have been reports of depression in patients taking Decapeptyl SR, which may be severe. If you are taking Decapeptyl SR and develop depressed mood, always inform your doctor or nurse. Your doctor or nurse may want to monitor you for depression during treatment.1-3
If you are using medicines for preventing your from blood clotting, you may experience bruising at the site of injection. 1-3
There is risk of developing thin or weak bones with long-term treatment. This is particularly associated with being a heavy drinker, a smoker, have a family history of osteoporosis (a condition that affects the strength of your bones), have a poor diet or take anticonvulsants (medicines for epilepsy or fits) or corticosteroids (steroids). If you have a condition that affects your bones, such as osteoporosis, tell your doctor or nurse. This may affect the way your doctor or nurse decides to treat you.1-3
When you first start treatment with Decapeptyl® SR it will increase the level of your hormones for a short time. This means that you may feel worse to begin with. The doctor or nurse may give you some medicine (an anti-androgen) to prevent your symptoms from getting worse. After a short time, your hormone levels may drop and your symptoms will get better.1-3
During the first weeks of treatment, Decapeptyl SR may, as with other LHRH agonists, in isolated cases, cause the spinal cord to compress or the urethra (where you pass urine) to block. You will be monitored by your doctor or nurse and given treatment for these conditions if they occur. 1-3
Also tell your doctor or nurse if you notice blood in your urine or if you find it difficult or painful to urinate.1-3
Tell your doctor or nurse if you have diabetes. Some hormonal therapy drugs can increase your blood sugar level. Your blood sugar levels will usually go back to normal once the hormonal therapy treatment is finished. 1-3, 4
Tell your doctor or nurse if you have any heart or blood vessel conditions, including heart rhythm problems (arrhythmia), or are being treated with medicines for these conditions. The risk of heart rhythm problems may be increased when using Decapeptyl SR. 1-3
If you have an enlargement (benign tumour) of the pituitary gland that you were unaware of, this may be discovered during treatment with Decapeptyl SR. Symptoms include sudden headache, problems with eyesight and paralysis of the eye muscles. 1-3
Tell your doctor or nurse if you have back pain, weakness, numbness or tingling in your legs.1-3
If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed within this website.
You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at http://www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
It is important to make and attend all your injection appointments. Keeping up to date with your schedule is key to your treatment, and any changes or missed appointments might have an impact on your health or well-being.
If you forget to make or attend an injection appointment do not worry. Contact your doctor or nurse as soon as possible so that they can advise you on what to do and when your next injection should be.
Please always talk to your doctor or nurse if you have any concerns or questions about any aspect of your treatment.
