Subcutaneous implant that releases the drug over one year. Used to halt central precocious puberty in children; its prostate cancer version (Vantas) is no longer marketed.
Regulatory status
Approved (FDA / EMA)
Family
GnRH agonist (annual implant)
Scientific evidence
Moderate
Number of findings
1
Where it acts
Hormones and metabolism · Sexual and reproductive
Also known as
histrelin, Supprelin LA, Vantas
Regulatory status
FDA (US): Approved (2007, Supprelin LA) for central precocious puberty in children. Vantas (2004) for advanced prostate cancer: not available since 2020
EMA (EU): Not approved (no centralized authorization)
Dose
One 50 mg implant placed under the skin of the arm every 12 months (FDA label, Supprelin LA).
Safety
Discomfort, hematoma, or infection at the implant site; possible breakage or displacement of the implant on removal. Transient hormonal rise in the first weeks. Psychiatric symptoms and seizures have been reported with GnRH agonists. Only under pediatric endocrinology supervision.
Differences between women and men
Supprelin LA is approved for girls and boys with central precocious puberty. In the trial, the implant suppressed estradiol in girls and testosterone in boys. View the study →
Effect by goal · level of evidence
Central precocious puberty: hormonal suppression for one year
reducesModerateclinical trial (A)in people
LH 28→0.8
In 36 children with central precocious puberty, the peak LH fell from 28.2 to 0.8 mIU/mL one month after the implant in those not previously treated, and suppression was maintained for one year without major adverse effects.
Like other GnRH agonists, it stimulates the pituitary gland at first and then desensitizes it. LH, FSH, and sex hormones fall, which halts early pubertal development (or cuts off testosterone in prostate cancer).
What the evidence says
In people
Central precocious puberty: hormone suppression for one year. In 36 children with central precocious puberty, the LH peak fell from 28.2 to 0.8 mIU/mL one month after the implant in those not previously treated, and suppression was maintained for one year without major adverse effects. PubMed 17327379