Decapeptyl Depot Injection

Decapeptyl Depot Injection is used in the treatment of prostate cancer. It is also used to treat endometriosis (endometrium of uterus grows excessively and causes symptoms like pain, heavy or irregular periods), and central precocious puberty (very early puberty).

Decapeptyl Depot Injection is given as an injection under the skin by a qualified medical professional. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.

Hot flashes, weakness, increased sweating, fatigue, back pain, and erectile dysfunction are some very common side effects of this medicine. The long-term use of medicine may cause weakened bones and a reduction in bone mineral density. You are advised to take vitamin D and calcium supplements while taking this medicine. It might cause menstrual periods to stop for a period of 7- 12 weeks, inform your doctor if menstrual bleeding continues even during the treatment.

Before taking this medicine, inform your doctor if you have a history of drinking alcohol, smoking, and osteoporosis. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your healthcare team know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy.

• Prostate cancer
• Endometriosis
• Precocious puberty (premature puberty)

Prostate cancer
Prostate gland is a small walnut-sized gland that produces a fluid called seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperms in males. The most common symptom of prostate cancer is difficulty with urination, but sometimes there are no symptoms at all. Decapeptyl Depot Injection decreases or stops the growth of cancer cells by decreasing the amount of testosterone (natural hormone in males) in men. This also relieves difficulty in passing urine and makes it easier for you to urinate.

Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue like the lining of the womb starts to grow in other places. The main symptoms include pain in your lower stomach or back, period pain, pain during and after sex, constipation, diarrhea and feeling sick. It can also make it difficult to get pregnant. Decapeptyl Depot Injection works by preventing the lining of your womb and any endometriosis tissue from growing too quickly. This will help relieve the symptoms you may have. This medicine needs to be taken regularly to be effective and you may need other medicines or procedures to help control endometriosis.

Precocious puberty (premature puberty)
When puberty (change of a child’s body to adult structure and size) begins before age 8 in girls and before age 9 in boys, it is considered precocious puberty. Decapeptyl Depot Injection helps delay this early onset of adulthood and limits the onset of precocious puberty. However, this medicine is given by a doctor and should not be self-administered. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully for the most benefit.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Decapeptyl

• Weakness
• Increased sweating
• Back pain
• Paresthesia (tingling or pricking sensation)
• Hot flashes
• Erectile dysfunction

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

Decapeptyl Depot Injection reduces the amount of sex hormones (testosterone in men and estrogen in women). It works by decreasing the blood levels of testosterone in males. Decapeptyl Depot Injection also acts by shutting off hormones made by the ovaries (female reproductive organs), so the estrogen (one of the hormones that causes females to have periods) level is lowered.

• Decapeptyl Depot Injection helps in the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer.
• It is given as an injection either under the skin or into a muscle.
• It may cause dizziness and visual disturbances. Don't drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how it affects you.
• It will cause menstrual periods to stop. Periods will resume 7-12 weeks after the final injection. Consult your doctor if you experience menstrual bleed despite treatment.
• Use non-hormonal methods of contraception such as condoms to prevent pregnancy during treatment, as this medicine may be harmful to a developing baby.
• Long term treatment may lead to bone loss and a higher risk of bone fractures, especially if you are a heavy drinker, a smoker, or have a family history of osteoporosis.
• It may also be used to treat endometriosis and precocious puberty (premature puberty).

Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 1410-11.

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