Vantas 50mg implant with implantation device

Vantas belongs to a class of medicines called LHRH analogues. Vantas contains histrelin acetate which is similar to a hormone called LHRH produced in the body.

Vantas is used to treat testosterone-dependent prostate cancer and is given as an implant that lasts for 12 months. It works by preventing the release of testosterone in the body. Because testosterone-dependent prostate cancer needs testosterone to grow, Vantas can slow the growth of this cancer by reducing the amount of testosterone in the body.

Vantas is only given to men and should not be used by women.

Other information about Vantas:

Vantas is an implant – it will be implanted by a healthcare professional. The person responsible for giving you your medicine will make sure that you get the right dose. If you feel that the medicine is making you feel unwell or you think it is not working, you should talk to someone who is involved in your care.

Your prescriber will advise you when you need to have your implant changed. It is usually only given every 12 months. It is a good idea to make a note of the date that your next implant is due so that you do not miss your appointment.

Vantas is an implant – it will be inserted under your skin by a healthcare professional. If you have any concerns about this medicine or how this will be given to you, talk to someone who is involved in your medical care.

Having extra doses of some medicines can be harmful. In some cases even one extra dose can cause you problems.

In the case of Vantas, the person who is responsible for giving you your medicine will make sure that you are given the correct dose.

The person in charge of your care will make the decision about when you should stop this medicine. If you experience any problems while having this medicine, talk to someone who is involved in your medical care.

The medical team will often be responsible for looking after this medicine. However, if you are responsible for looking after this medicine make sure that you store it properly and safely. Check the label and Patient Information leaflet for details or ask a member of your medical team.

In the case of Vantas:

Vantas is not suitable for everyone and some people should never use it. Other people should only use it with special care. It is important that the person prescribing this medicine knows your full medical history.

Your prescriber may only prescribe this medicine with special care or may not prescribe it at all if you:

Furthermore the prescriber may only prescribe this medicine with special care or may not prescribe it at all for someone who is under the age of 18 years.

As part of the process of assessing suitability to take this medicine a prescriber may also arrange tests:

Over time it is possible that Vantas can become unsuitable for some people, or they may become unsuitable for it. If at any time it appears that Vantas has become unsuitable, it is important that the prescriber is contacted immediately.

A medicine is only made available to the public if the clinical trials have shown that the benefits of taking the medicine outweigh the risks.

Once a medicine has been licensed, information on the medicine's effects, both intended and unintended, is continuously recorded and updated.

Some side-effects may be serious while others may only be a mild inconvenience.

Everyone's reaction to a medicine is different. It is difficult to predict which side-effects you will have from taking a particular medicine, or whether you will have any side-effects at all. The important thing is to tell your prescriber or pharmacist if you are having problems with your medicine.

Very common: More than 1 in 10 people who have Vantas:

• hot flushes

Common: More than 1 in 100 people who have Vantas:

• blushing
• breast enlargement in men
• constipation
• decreased libido
• depression
• difficulty sleeping
• erectile dysfunction
• exercise induced shortness of breath
• feeling dizzy
• hair overgrowth
• headaches
• increased blood sugar levels
• injury or reactions at the implantation site including: redness, tenderness, swelling, inflammation, pain or the squeezing out of the implant from the implantation site
• joint pain
• kidney problems
• liver problems
• painful extremities
• testicular atrophy
• tiredness
• urinary retention
• urinating more or more often
• weakness
• weight gain

Uncommon: More than 1 in 1000 people who have Vantas:

• abnormal laboratory test results
• anaemia
• appetite gain
• back pain
• blood in the urine
• breast pain or tenderness
• bruising
• collection of blood under the skin
• feeling irritable
• fluid retention
• food cravings
• general feeling of being unwell
• genital itching
• heart problems
• high levels of cholesterol or other lipids in the blood
• itching
• kidney stones
• lethargy
• metabolic problems such as glucose intolerance or worsening of diabetes
• muscle problems
• muscle spasm
• nausea
• neck pain
• night sweats
• oedema of the extremities
• pain
• painful urination
• palpitations
• sensation of cold
• sexual dysfunction
• stent blockage
• stomach discomfort
• sweating
• tremors
• weight loss
• worsening of pain

Rare: More than 1 in 10,000 people who have Vantas:

• skin infections

The frequency of these side-effects is unknown:

• increased risk of bone fractures
• lowering of bone mineral density - this may lead to osteoporosis
• worsening of cancer symptoms at the beginning of treatment - these may include joint pain, bone pain, neuropathy, blood in the urine, urinary retention, weakness, paraesthesiae or paralysis. Your prescriber may give you other medicines at the beginning of your treatment with Vantas to help prevent the worsening of symptoms

If you feel unwell or if you have concerns about a side-effect, you will need to seek advice. If you feel very ill, get medical help straight away. Contact your prescriber, pharmacist, nurse or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

There are no known important interactions between Vantas and other medicines. If you experience any unusual symptoms while having Vantas and other medicines you should tell your prescriber.

Medicines can interact with complementary preparations and vitamins. In general, there is not much information available about interactions between medicines and complementary preparations or vitamins.

If you are planning to take or are already taking any complementary preparations and vitamins you should ask your prescriber whether there are any known interactions with Vantas.

Your prescriber can advise whether it is appropriate for you to take combinations that are known to interact. They can also discuss with you the possible effect that the complementary preparations and vitamins may have on your condition.

If you experience any unusual effects while taking this medicine in combination with complementary preparations and vitamins, you should tell your prescriber.

When taking any medicine you should be aware that it might interfere with your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.

Like all medicines Vantas can cause side effects. You should see how this medicine affects you and then judge if you are safe to drive or operate machinery. If you are in any doubt, talk to your prescriber.

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your prescriber may advise you to avoid certain foods.

In the case of Vantas:

Alcohol can interact with certain medicines.

In the case of Vantas:

This medicine must not be taken by women so its effects in pregnancy are not relevant.

This medicine must not be taken by women so its effects on breast-feeding are not relevant.

Medicines contain active ingredients. They may also contain other, additional ingredients that help ensure the stability, safety and effectiveness of the medicine. Some may be used to prolong the life of the medicine.

Vantas contains:

If you are not able to take any of the ingredients in your medicine, talk to your prescriber or pharmacist to see if they can suggest an alternative medicine. If you have reacted badly to Vantas before, do not have Vantas. Talk to your prescriber, pharmacist or nurse as soon as possible.