Decapeptyl

Decapeptyl is a synthetic hormonal drug, an agonist of natural GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone). It is one of the effective drugs that is widely and successfully used in medicine to treat many diseases.

The drug is dispensed only with a prescription certified by a personal doctor's seal. Self-administration of the drug is excluded.

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Indications Decapeptyl

The drug is used:

• for the treatment of endometriosis;
• in a comprehensive infertility treatment regimen, when implementing protocols of the latest reproductive technologies;
• with fibromyoma (leiomyoma);
• as one of the links in symptomatic therapy for the progression of hormone-dependent prostate cancer.

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Release form

Decapeptyl is available as an injection solution: a colorless, odorless, transparent liquid, consisting of the following components:

• active ingredient – triptorelin acetate, 105 mcg/1 ml;
• additional components – sodium chloride, ethanoic acid, sterile water.

The drug is sold in cardboard packages containing cell elements with syringe-ampoules and needles to them in the amount of 7 pieces. Each syringe-ampoule contains 1 ml of Decapeptyl.

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Pharmacodynamics

The gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist drug has a similar effect to natural GnRH and is effective in reducing endometriosis lesions and eliminating pelvic pain syndrome.

Immediately after injection, Decapeptyl provokes an increase in the level of FSH and LH in the plasma, which contributes to a short-term increase in the concentration of sex hormones.

Long-term stimulation of the pituitary gland (with a stable level of triptorelin in the bloodstream) entails inhibition of gonadotropic function, which, in turn, leads to a decrease in the concentration of sex hormones to the state of menopause or post-castration.

These symptoms are reversible: after discontinuing the drug, physiological secretion of hormones is restored.

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Pharmacokinetics

In the initial 2-3 hours after intramuscular injection of Decapeptyl, the peak of the maximum concentration of the active substance in the blood is observed. Then the level of triptorelin decreases significantly during the day.

The half-life of the active component of the drug is determined to be 18.7 minutes (while the half-life of natural GnRH is determined to be 7.7 minutes). The plasma clearance rate is slowed down three times compared to natural GnRH (respectively 503 ml per minute and 1766 ml per minute).

Just over 3% of the active ingredient is excreted unchanged by the kidneys.

The above indicators have official confirmation: the pharmacokinetics of Decapeptyl was observed in women diagnosed with endometriosis or fibroids, as well as in men with prostate cancer and in healthy men.

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Dosing and administration

The drug is administered by subcutaneous injection.

In case of difficulty in conceiving, injections of 0.0001 g Decapeptyl are prescribed on the first day of menstruation, or at the beginning of the first phase of the ovarian cycle before the injection of the hCG drug (with the short protocol option), or from the first day of menstruation or at the beginning of the follicular phase for 3 days (with the ultra-short protocol).

For fibroids, endometrioid growths, prostate cancer, the first 7 days of therapy use 1 ml of 0.5 mg Decapeptyl once a day at the same time. On the eighth day of therapy, switch to injections of 0.1 mg of the drug every day. The duration of the course of therapy is determined by the doctor individually.

If a long period of treatment is planned, it is recommended to prescribe a similar drug, Decapeptyl-depot, which has a prolonged effect.

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Use Decapeptyl during pregnancy

The use of Decapeptyl during pregnancy and breastfeeding is strictly contraindicated. Moreover, before starting treatment, it is necessary to make sure that there is no pregnancy, and also to provide reliable barrier contraceptives for the entire course of Decapeptyl therapy.

Contraindications

Decapeptyl cannot be prescribed:

• in case of diagnosed pregnancy or suspicion of it;
• during breastfeeding;
• in case of signs of obvious or latent osteoporosis;
• in hormone-independent prostate carcinoma;
• after a history of surgical castration;
• if you are prone to allergic reactions to triptorelin.

The drug is prescribed with caution in cases of significant polycystic disease of the appendages.

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Side effects Decapeptyl

The use of Decapeptyl may cause side effects:

• decreased sexual desire;
• numbness of the limbs;
• mood instability, capriciousness, emotional swings;
• decreased visual acuity;
• pain during sexual intercourse;
• migraine;
• bone and joint pain;
• attacks of nausea;
• a rushing sensation of heat (hot flashes);
• peeling skin;
• lymphadenopathy;
• myasthenia, muscle pain;
• difficulty urinating;
• hemorrhages;
• appetite disorders, changes in body weight;
• increase in body temperature;
• fluid accumulation in the extremities;
• dryness of the external genitalia and vagina;
• increased sweating;
• demineralization of bones and joints;
• sleep disorders;
• thrombophlebitis;
• increased blood cholesterol levels.

The side effects of Decapeptyl disappear some time after the drug is discontinued.

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Overdose

There have been no officially recorded cases of Decapeptyl overdose. In case of suspected overdose, symptomatic therapy should be administered.

Interactions with other drugs

There were no special cases of interaction of Decapeptyl with other medications.

During the therapeutic course of Decapeptyl, it is contraindicated to take oral contraceptive hormone-containing medications and other estrogen-containing agents.

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Storage conditions

Decapeptyl is stored at temperatures from +2 to +8°C. The drug should not be stored outside the original packaging.

If the syringe-ampoule is damaged or the expiration date has passed, the drug should be discarded.

Shelf life

The shelf life of Decapeptyl is up to 3 years (the production date must be indicated on the packaging).

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