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Vantas

Generic name: histrelin (implant) [ his-TREL-in ]
Brand names: Supprelin LA, Vantas
Drug classes: Gonadotropin releasing hormones, Hormones / antineoplastics

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Sep 25, 2023.

What is Vantas?

Vantas is a man-made form of a hormone that regulates many processes in the body. Histrelin overstimulates the body's own production of certain hormones, which causes that production to shut down temporarily.

The Vantas implant is used to treat symptoms of prostate cancer in men.

Vantas treats only the symptoms of prostate cancer but does not treat the cancer itself.

Warnings

Vantas can cause side effects such as crying spells, anger, aggression, and feeling restless or irritable. Call your doctor if you have any new or worsening mental problems.

Before you receive a Vantas implant, tell your doctor if you have painful or difficult urination, diabetes, heart disease, coronary artery disease, liver disease, a history of heart attack or stroke, osteoporosis, or a condition affecting your spine.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as severe numbness or tingling in your legs or feet, muscle weakness, problems with balance or coordination, loss of bladder or bowel control, urinating more or less than usual, sudden numbness or severe headache, problems with speech or vision, increased thirst or urination, excessive hunger, or chest pain spreading to the arm or shoulder.

A Vantas implant is usually left in place for 12 months and then removed. Your doctor will determine at that time whether you need to receive another implant for treatment of your symptoms.

Before I receive this medicine

You should not use a Vantas implant if you are allergic to histrelin or to similar hormone medications such as leuprolide (Lupron, Eligard, Viadur), nafarelin (Synarel), or ganirelix (Antagon).

Vantas should not be used in women or children.

Do not use Vantas if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby or cause a miscarriage. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Vantas should not be used in women or children.

To make sure Vantas is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using Vantas. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Vantas is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How is Vantas given?

Vantas is given in a tiny implant inserted under the skin on the inside of your upper arm. You will receive this implant with a minor surgical procedure in a clinic or doctor's office.

It is best to place the implant into your non-dominant arm (your left arm if you are right-handed). Be sure to tell your doctor which arm you use most often.

While lying on your back, your arm will be positioned with your elbow bent and held still while the implant is inserted. The skin of your upper arm will be treated with a numbing medicine to keep you from feeling pain during the insertion. Once your arm is numb, your doctor will use a scalpel to cut a small incision where the implant will be inserted.

The Vantas implant is inserted using a special tool that pushes the implant into place through the incision in your skin. After injecting the implant and removing the insertion tool, your doctor will then feel your arm to make sure the implant has been correctly placed.

The incision in your skin may be closed with stitches or surgical strips. Follow your doctor's instructions about caring for the incision and keeping it bandaged and clean until it heals completely. Keep your arm dry for at least 24 hours.

You will most likely be able to feel the implant through your skin, but it should not cause pain or discomfort.

A Vantas implant is usually left in place for 12 months and then must be removed through a surgical incision. Do not try to remove the implant yourself. Your doctor will determine whether you need another implant for continued treatment.

Call your doctor if you have any pain, swelling, tenderness, itching, tingling, bruising, or redness where the implant was inserted, or if the implant comes through the skin or falls out.

To be sure this medicine is helping your condition, you may need frequent blood tests. Your blood work will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with Vantas.

Histrelin can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medicine.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Prostate Cancer:

One 50 mg implant inserted subcutaneously in the inner aspect of the upper arm
Duration of therapy: The implant should be removed after 12 months.

Comments: To continue therapy, another implant may be inserted at the time an implant is removed.

Use:
Palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer

Detailed Vantas dosage information

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since Vantas is given as an implant by a healthcare professional, it does not have a daily dosing schedule.

The implant should not be left in your arm for longer than 12 months. Call your doctor when it is time for your implant to be removed.

What happens if I overdose?

Since the Vantas implant contains a specific amount of the medicine, you are not likely to receive an overdose.

What should I avoid after receiving a Vantas implant?

For at least 7 days after your implant is inserted, avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting.

Vantas side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Vantas: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

Common Vantas side effects may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Vantas side effects (more detail)

What other drugs will affect Vantas?

Other drugs may interact with histrelin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Vantas drug interactions (more detail)

Popular FAQ

Supprelin LA is not the same as Lupron Depot-Ped, because Supprelin LA contains the active drug histrelin acetate, while Lupron Depot-Ped contains the active drug leuprolide acetate. Both belong to the class of medicines called gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GRHA) and both are approved to treat central precocious puberty (CPP) in children aged 2 years and older. Although they have not been compared directly in clinical studies, separate studies have found them both to be effective for CPP. Supprelin LA is available as a small implant that is placed under the skin of the upper arm by a healthcare provider, and it lasts for 12 months. Lupron Depot-Ped is given by intramuscular injection into the buttock, thigh, or deltoid muscle once a month so must be given 12 times a year. Continue reading

Supprelin LA starts to work within 4 weeks of implantation and by that time you should see signs that your child’s puberty is stopping. Do not be alarmed if during the first week of Supprelin LA treatment you an increase in signs of puberty in your child, such as light vaginal bleeding or breast enlargement in girls. This is to be expected because initially, Supprelin LA causes an increase in some hormones, but after 1 week, hormone levels decrease and puberty starts to abate. Continue reading

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Vantas only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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