Decapeptyl Special Precautions

The use of GnRH agonists may cause reduction in bone mineral density. In men, preliminary data suggest that the use of a bisphosphonate in combination with an GnRH agonist may reduce bone mineral loss. Particular caution is necessary in patients with additional risk factors for osteoporosis (e.g. chronic alcohol abuse, smokers, long-term therapy with drugs that reduce bone mineral density, e.g. anticonvulsants or corticoids, family history of osteoporosis, malnutrition).
Loss of bone mineral density: The use of GnRH agonists is likely to cause reduction in bone mineral density averaging 1% per month during a six month treatment period. Every 10% reduction in bone mineral density is linked with about a two to three times increased fracture risk.
In the majority of women, currently available data suggest that recovery of bone loss occurs after cessation of therapy.
No specific data is available for patients with established osteoporosis or with risk factors for osteoporosis (e.g. chronic alcohol abuse, smokers, long-term therapy with drugs that reduce bone mineral density, e.g. anticonvulsants or corticoids, family history of osteoporosis, malnutrition, e.g. anorexia nervosa). Since reduction in bone mineral density is likely to be more detrimental in these patients, treatment with triptorelin should be considered on an individual basis and only be initiated if the benefits of treatment outweigh the risk following a very careful appraisal. Consideration should be given to additional measures in order to counteract loss of bone mineral density.
It should be confirmed that the patient is not pregnant before prescription of triptorelin.
Rarely, treatment with GnRH agonists may reveal the presence of a previously unknown gonadotroph cell pituitary adenoma. These patients may present with a pituitary apoplexy characterised by sudden headache, vomiting, visual impairment and ophthalmoplegia.
There is an increased risk of incident depression (which may be severe) in patients undergoing treatment with GnRH agonists, such as triptorelin. Patients should be informed accordingly and treated as appropriate if symptoms occur.
Mood changes have been reported. Patients with known depression should be monitored closely during therapy.
In patients with renal or hepatic impairment, triptorelin has a mean terminal half life of 7-8 hours compared to 3-5 hours in healthy subjects. Despite this prolonged exposure, triptorelin is not expected to be present in circulation at the time of embryo transfer.
Special care should be taken in women with signs and symptoms of active allergic conditions or known history of allergic predisposition. Treatment with DECAPEPTYL is not advised in women with severe allergic conditions. Women of childbearing potential should be examined carefully before treatment to exclude pregnancy.
ART is associated with an increased risk of multiple pregnancies, pregnancy wastage, ectopic pregnancies and congenital malformations. These risks are also valid with usage of DECAPEPTYL 0.1 mg/1 ml as adjunct therapy in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. The use of DECAPEPTYL in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation may increase the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and ovarian cysts.
Follicular recruitment, induced by the use of GnRH analogues and gonadotrophins, may be markedly increased in a minority of predisposed patients, particularly in case of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
As with other GnRH analogues there have been reports of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) associated with the use of triptorelin in combination with gonadotrophins.
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): OHSS is a medical event distinct from uncomplicated ovarian enlargement. OHSS is a syndrome that can manifest itself with increasing degrees of severity. It comprises marked ovarian enlargement, high serum sex steroids, and an increase in vascular permeability which can result in an accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal, pleural and, rarely, in the pericardial cavities.
The following symptoms may be observed in severe cases of OHSS: abdominal pain, abdominal distension, severe ovarian enlargement, weight gain, dyspnoea, oliguria and gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Clinical evaluation may reveal hypovolaemia, haemoconcentration, electrolyte imbalances, ascites, haemoperitoneum, pleural effusions, hydrothorax, acute pulmonary distress, and thromboembolic events.
Excessive ovarian response to gonadotrophin treatment seldom gives rise to OHSS unless hCG is administered to trigger ovulation. Therefore in cases of OHSS it is prudent to withhold hCG and advise the patient to refrain from coitus or to use barrier methods for at least 4 days.
OHSS may progress rapidly (within 24 hours to several days) to become a serious medical event, therefore patients should be followed for at least two weeks after the hCG administration.
OHSS may be more severe and more protracted if pregnancy occurs. Most often, OHSS occurs after hormonal treatment has been discontinued and reaches its maximum severity at about seven to ten days following treatment. Usually, OHSS resolves spontaneously with the onset of menses.
If severe OHSS occurs, gonadotrophin treatment should be stopped if still ongoing, the patient hospitalised and specific therapy for OHSS started e.g. with rest, intravenous infusion of electrolyte solutions or colloids and heparin.
This syndrome occurs with higher incidence in patients with polycystic ovarian disease. The risk of OHSS might be higher with use of GnRH agonists in combination with gonadotrophins than with use of gonadotrophins alone.
Ovarian cysts: Ovarian cysts may occur during the initial phase of treatment with GnRH agonist. They are usually asymptomatic and non-functional.
Effects on ability to drive and use machines: No studies on the effects of the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. However, due to its pharmacological profile DECAPEPTYL 0.1 mg/1 ml is likely to have no or negligible influence on the patient's ability to drive and use machines.