Pronunciation: his-TREL-in
Generic Name: Histrelin
Brand Name: Vantas
Vantas Implant is used for:
Treating symptoms of advanced prostate cancer. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Vantas Implant is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. It works by decreasing the production of certain hormones, which reduces testosterone levels in the body.
Do NOT use Vantas Implant if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Vantas Implant, to GnRH, or to another GnRH analog (eg, goserelin)
- the patient is a woman or a child
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Vantas Implant:
Some medical conditions may interact with Vantas Implant. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of urinary problems (eg, blockage of the bladder or ureters), spinal cord problems, abnormal growths on or near the spine or spinal cord, heart problems, blood vessel problems, a stroke, or diabetes or high blood sugar
- if you have bone problems (eg, weak bones, osteoporosis) or if a family member has had bone problems
- if you are taking medicines that can weaken the bones, such as anticonvulsants (eg, phenytoin) or corticosteroids (eg, prednisone)
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Vantas Implant. However, no specific interactions with Vantas Implant are known at this time.
Ask your health care provider if Vantas Implant may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Vantas Implant:
Use Vantas Implant as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- An extra patient leaflet is available with Vantas Implant. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
- Vantas Implant is inserted in a doctor's office, hospital, or clinic.
- This implant is a small, thin, flexible tube that is placed under the skin of the inside of your upper arm. It delivers medicine to your body continuously for 12 months.
- If you miss a dose of Vantas Implant, contact your doctor right away.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Vantas Implant.
Important safety information:
- The cut where the implant is placed will be covered with stitches, surgical tape, and a bandage. Do not remove the surgical strips. Allow the strips to fall off on their own after a few days.
- After the implant is in place, keep your arm clean and dry for 24 hours. Do not bathe or swim for 24 hours. Keep the bandage in place for a few days, until the cut heals. Avoid heavy lifting and exercise for 7 days. Avoid bumping the site for a few days.
- You may have pain, redness, or bruising at the insertion site of the implant. This usually goes away without treatment within 2 weeks. Call your doctor if you have unusual or prolonged bleeding, redness, or pain.
- After 12 months, your doctor will remove the implant. Your doctor may insert a new implant to continue treatment.
- Certain hormone levels may increase during the first few weeks of treatment with Vantas Implant. This may cause you to experience worsening of symptoms or onset of new symptoms (eg, blood in the urine; bone pain; burning, numbness, or tingling; difficulty urinating) during the first few weeks of treatment. Patients with growths on or near the spine or spinal cord or with blockage of the bladder or ureters may be at greater risk of developing serious and sometimes fatal complications. Contact your doctor if any new or worsened symptoms occur while using Vantas Implant.
- Vantas Implant lowers the amount of certain hormones in your body. This may cause certain expected side effects to occur, such as breast enlargement, soreness, or tenderness; testicular changes, pain, or soreness; decreased sexual ability; hot flashes; or night sweats. Contact your doctor if you have questions or concerns, or if you experience any of these side effects.
- Vantas Implant may cause your bones to weaken or become more prone to fractures, especially if you use Vantas Implant for long periods of time. Contact your doctor if you experience bone pain or if you have concerns regarding changes in bone density. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- A slight increase in the risk of a stroke or serious and sometimes fatal heart problems has been reported with the use of GnRH agonists in men. Although the risk appears to be low, seek immediate medical attention if you experience chest, jaw, or left arm pain; confusion; fainting; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; slurred speech; sudden, severe headache or vomiting; or vision changes. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- Your doctor will check your condition during treatment to be sure the implant is present and functioning.
- Rarely, the implant may be expelled through the insertion site. If you think this may have occurred, call your doctor at once.
- Vantas Implant may raise your blood sugar. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away.
- Diabetes patients - Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Vantas Implant may interfere with certain lab tests, including certain hormone diagnostic and pituitary gland function. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are using Vantas Implant.
- Lab tests, including prostate-specific antigen (PSA), testosterone levels, bone density, hemoglobin A1c, or blood glucose, may be performed while you use Vantas Implant. These tests may be used to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Vantas Implant should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 18 years; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Vantas Implant is not for WOMEN and may cause harm to a fetus in a woman who is pregnant or may become pregnant.
Possible side effects of Vantas Implant:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Change in breast size; constipation; decreased sexual desire or ability; headache; hot flashes; sleeplessness; mild bruising, soreness, pain, tenderness, redness, or swelling at the insertion site; testicles become smaller; tiredness or weakness; weight gain.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); back pain; blood in the urine; bone pain; breast pain; burning, numbness, or tingling; decreased amount of urine produced; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; paralysis; severe or persistent bleeding, redness, or pain at the insertion site; shortness of breath; symptoms of heart attack (eg, chest, jaw, or left arm pain; numbness of an arm or leg; sudden, severe headache or vomiting; vision changes); symptoms of high blood sugar (eg, drowsiness; fast breathing; flushing; fruit-like breath odor; increased hunger, thirst, or urination); symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine, loss of appetite, pale stools, unusual stomach pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes); symptoms of stroke (eg, confusion, one-sided weakness, slurred speech, vision changes); trouble urinating or inability to urinate; unusual tiredness or weakness; weakness or loss of feeling in the legs.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Vantas side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Vantas Implant:
Store Vantas Implant in the refrigerator, between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C), in the unopened glass vial in the plastic pouch and carton. Protect from light. Do not freeze. Keep Vantas Implant out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Vantas Implant, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Vantas Implant is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Vantas Implant. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Vantas resources
- Vantas Side Effects (in more detail)
- Vantas Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Vantas Drug Interactions
- Vantas Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Vantas - Add your own review/rating
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