Hughie - Triptorelin aka Decapeptyl aka Gonapeptyl

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100003824.html
How does it work?

Gonapeptyl depot injection contains the active ingredient triptorelin
acetate, which is a type of medicine known as a gonadorelin (LHRH)
analogue. It acts on the pituitary gland in the brain.

The pituitary gland produces and stores various hormones, including the
sex hormones, luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone
(FSH). In men, LH released from the pituitary gland causes the testicles
to produce testosterone. FSH and testosterone cause the production of
sperm by the testicles. In women, FSH and LH cause the production of
oestrogen by the ovaries and help control the menstrual cycle.

The amount of LH and FSH released from the pituitary gland is controlled
by another hormone, called gonaderelin (LHRH). Gonadorelin acts on LHRH
receptors in the pituitary gland, causing the release of LH and FSH and
hence the subsequent production of testosterone in men and oestrogen in
women.

Triptorelin is a synthetic form of gonaderelin. It acts on the LHRH
receptors in the pituitary gland in the same way as natural gonadorelin.

Initially, triptorelin causes an increase in the amount of FSH and LH
released from the pituitary gland, with resulting increase in testosterone
production in men, and oestrogen production in women. However, chronic
administration of triptorelin desensitises the pituitary gland. This means
that it produces less and less FSH and LH, which in turn stops the
production of oestrogens in women and testosterone in men. This reduction
in the levels of sex hormones caused by triptorelin is used to treat
disorders that are linked to levels of oestrogen or testosterone.

In men, the growth of some prostate cancers is stimulated by testosterone.
Reducing the body's levels of testosterone therefore deprives the tumour
of testosterone and causes it to shrink. Gonapeptyl depot is given as a
monthly injection to treat advanced prostate cancer in men.

The triptorelin may at first increase testosterone levels and so it may
cause an initial temporary tumour 'flare', with symptoms such as urinary
obstruction and bone pain, before the cancer begins to shrink. Some men
may be particularly prone to these symptoms. If this applies to you your
doctor will also treat you with another type of anti-cancer medicine,
known as an anti-androgen (eg cyproterone acetate or flutamide) to prevent
this. The anti-androgen will be started three days before the triptorelin
and continued for the first two to three weeks of treatment.

What is it used for?
* Advanced prostate cancer
* Endometriosis
* Fibroids of the uterus
* Premature puberty in girls aged under 9 years and boys aged under 10
years

Use with caution in

* Men considered by their doctor to be at risk of an initial worsening
of their tumour symptoms (tumour flare) when starting treatment

* Men with urinary obstruction

* Men whose cancer has spread to the spine or is pressing on the
spinal cord

* Women at risk of osteoporosis, eg due to a strong family history, or
chronic use of other drugs which reduce bone density, including
corticosteroids, alcohol and tobacco

Not to be used in
* Men with cancer that is not stimulated by testosterone
* Men who have had surgery to remove the testicles

* Women with osteoporosis
* Pregnancy
* Breastfeeding
* Vaginal bleeding of unknown cause
* Children with progressive brain tumours

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its
ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
previously experienced such an allergy.

If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this
medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in
different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known
to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here,
it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that
or any side effect.

General side effects:
* Pain, redness or hardening of skin at injection site
* Hot flushes
* Dizziness
* Sweating
* Headache
* Decreased sex drive
* Mood changes
* Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea,
vomiting or abdominal pain
* Weight gain
* Visual disturbances
* Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
* Excessive fluid retention in the body tissues, resulting in swelling
(oedema)
* Pain in the muscles and joints
* Increase in blood pressure

Side effects in men:

* Impotence
* Abnormal enlargement of breasts (gynaecomastia)