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So that we can direct you to the most appropriate information about Decapeptyl SR (triptorelin), please choose one of the following options:

I am a healthcare professional in the UK*

*This section of the website is for UK healthcare professionals only and contains promotional content regarding our medicines.

Reporting of adverse events (healthcare professionals in the UK)

Adverse events should be reported. Reporting forms and information can be found at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk. Adverse events should also be reported to Ipsen via email at pharmacovigilance.uk-ie@ipsen.com or phone on 01753 627777

I am a patient in the UK who has been prescribed this medicine
I am a member of the general public in the UK

Reporting of side effects (patients and public in the UK)

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet. 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.

TRI-UK-005698 Date of preparation: February 2024

For UK-based Healthcare Professionals only
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A link to the prescribing and adverse event reporting information can be found in the header.

Practical prescribing of Decapeptyl® SR (triptorelin)

Practical information to help you to prescribe Decapeptyl® SR. This includes the licenced indications for Decapeptyl® SR in prostate cancer, the triptorelin mechanism of action video, dosing and administration information for the 1 monthly (28 days)-, 3 monthly (12 weeks) and 6 monthly (24 weeks) formulations of Decapeptyl® SR.

Decapeptyl® SR for prostate cancer treatment

Decapeptyl® SR indications in prostate cancer are as follows:1-3

  • Locally advanced, non-metastatic prostate cancer, as an alternative to surgical castration
  • Metastatic prostate cancer
  • High-risk localised or locally advanced prostate cancer, as a neoadjuvant treatment prior to radiotherapy
  • Locally advanced prostate cancer at high risk of disease progression, as an adjuvant treatment to radical prostatectomy

Decapeptyl® SR mechanism of action

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Decapeptyl® SR contains triptorelin which is a synthetic analogue of luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), which is also known as gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH).1-3

Triptorelin acts as a potent inhibitor of gonadotropin secretion when given continuously and in therapeutic doses.1-3

After administration of triptorelin there is an initial and transient increase in circulating levels of luteinising hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone in males and oestradiol in females.1-3

Continuous and long-term administration of triptorelin, however, results in decreased LH and FSH secretion and suppression of testicular and ovarian steroidogenesis.1-3

Decapeptyl® SR leads to testosterone suppression in prostate cancer patients7

Sustained release formulation

Triptorelin is contained within microspheres that are designed for sustained release.4

Microspheres are spherical particles that consist of a continuous network of support material or polymer in which the active substance is dispersed.

The different stages of triptorelin microsphere breakdown4

Adapted from Tissier et al 1990

Decapeptyl® SR dosing

Decapeptyl® SR is the only brand of LHRHa available in 1-, 3- and 6-monthly formulations in the UK.1-3

Decapeptyl® SR releases a steady dose of triptorelin after injection for the dosing period specified. For this reason, select the dosing formulation most appropriate for your patient. Please note two 3-monthly injections given at the same time is not the same as giving one 6-monthly injection. The former would result in double the amount of triptorelin being released over 3 months.6

3 mg

A single intramuscular injection every 28 days

11.25 mg

A single intramuscular injection every 3 months

22.5 mg

A single intramuscular every 6 months (24 weeks)

Decapeptyl® SR administration

Decapeptyl® SR is licenced to be administered by a healthcare professional and should not be administered by a patient or carer.

Decapeptyl® SR preparation and administration video

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Step-by-step guide to preparing and administering Decapeptyl® SR

The following steps must be completed in a continuous sequence.

A – Ensure patient is ready

Ensure the patient is ready for injection. Decapeptyl® SR must be administered as quickly as possible after reconstitution (within 1 minute) to avoid sedimentation.
Take out the ampoule containing the solvent. Tap any solution within the tip of the ampoule back to the main body of the ampoule.
Screw Needle 1 (without safety device) on to the syringe. Do not remove the needle protection yet.
Break open the ampoule, ensuring the dot faces you
Remove the needle protection from Needle 1. Insert the needle in the ampoule and draw up all the solvent into the syringe.
Put aside the syringe containing the solvent.

B – Pull up Needle 1

Take out the vial containing the powder.
Tap any powder which has accumulated at the top of the vial back to the bottom of the vial.
Remove the plastic tab on top of the vial
Take back the syringe containing the solvent and insert the needle through the rubber stopper vertically into the vial
Inject the solvent slowly, so that, if possible, it washes down the entire upper part of the vial.

C – Swirl the vial

Pull up Needle 1 above the liquid level. Do not remove the needle from the vial.
Reconstitute the suspension, by swirling gently from side to side. Do not invert the vial.
Continue swirling long enough (at least 30 seconds) to obtain a homogeneous and milky suspension.
Check there is no unsuspended powder in the vial (if any powder clumps are present, continue swirling until they disappear).

D – Draw up without inverting vial

When the suspension is homogeneous, pull down the needle and without inverting the vial, draw up all of the suspension.
A small amount will remain in the vial and should be discarded. An overfill is included to allow for this loss.
Grasp the coloured hub to disconnect the needle. Remove Needle 1 used for the reconstitution from the syringe. Screw on to the syringe Needle 2.

E – Move safety sheath away from needle

Move the safety sheath away from the needle and towards the syringe barrel. The safety sheath remains in the position you set.
Remove the needle protection from the needle.
Prime the needle to remove air from the syringe and inject immediately.

F – Intramuscular injection

Inject immediately into the disinfected area as quickly as possible (within 1 minute from reconstitution).

G  – After injection, activate the safety system

After injection, activate the safety system using a one- handed technique (ensure the finger is kept behind the tab at all times).

Option 1: push the tab forward with the finger.

Option 2: push the sheath to a flat surface.

In both cases press down with a firm, quick motion until a distinct audible click is heard.

 

H – Check needle is under the lock

Visually confirm that the needle is fully engaged under the lock
Used needles, any unused suspension or other waste materials should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

*The choice a clinical decision. Injection is usually into a buttock but other intramuscular injection sites are not excluded

References

  1. Decapeptyl® SR 3 mg Summary of Product Characteristics. Ipsen Ltd.
  2. Decapeptyl® SR 11.25 mg Summary of Product Characteristics. Ipsen Ltd.
  3. Decapeptyl® SR 22.5 mg Summary of Product Characteristics. Ipsen Ltd.
  4. Tissier B. Drug delivery of peptides. In: Bouchard P, Haour F, Franchimont P, Schatz B, editors. Recent progress on GnRH and gonadal peptides. Elsevier, Paris; 1990. p.159–68.
  5. Bolton EM, Lynch T. Are all gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists equivalent for the treatment of prostate cancer? A systematic review. BJU Int. 2018; 122(3):371–83.
  6. Ipsen Data on File TRI-UK-004598
  7. Klotz L, Tat T. BJUI Compass. 2024;5(3):392–402.

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