Triptodur (triptorelin) is a brand-name injection that’s prescribed for central precocious puberty (CPP) in children ages 2 years and older. Like other drugs, Triptodur can cause side effects, such as headaches and hot flashes.

Triptodur can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother your child, or become severe, be sure to talk with your child’s doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by children who took Triptodur in clinical trials:

Mild side effects can occur with Triptodur use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Triptodur’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Triptodur include:

  • headache
  • hot flashes
  • menstrual bleeding
  • cough
  • infection, such as a sinus infection, common cold, or flu
  • injection site reactions, such as pain, swelling, itching, and redness or other color changes

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your child’s doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If your child develops a side effect while receiving Triptodur and you want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Triptodur may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Triptodur’s prescribing information.

If your child develops serious side effects while receiving Triptodur, call their doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think your child is having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Triptodur may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Triptodur.

Changes in mood

Some children receiving gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, including Triptodur, have experienced sudden mood changes. This wasn’t a common side effect reported in clinical trials of Triptodur.

Symptoms of mood changes can include:

  • crying
  • feeling irritable
  • aggression
  • anger
  • impatience

Your child may have an increased risk of mood changes if they already have a mood disorder.

What you can do

Tell your doctor if your child has any mental health conditions before starting treatment with Triptodur. If they do, their doctor will likely want to monitor them more closely for symptoms of mental health changes.

If you or any family members notice new or worsening symptoms of mood changes in your child, talk with your child’s doctor right away. Your child’s doctor can recommend ways to help manage this side effect, or they may decide to change your child’s treatment.

Convulsions and seizures

There have been reports of children having convulsions (uncontrolled muscle spasms) or seizures during treatment with a GnRH agonist, including Triptodur. These weren’t seen in clinical trials but were reported after the drug was approved for use.

Symptoms of a convulsion or seizure may include:

  • uncontrollable muscle spasms in any part or all of the body
  • falling
  • staring absently into space
  • rapid eye movements
  • loss of consciousness

Your child may have an increased risk of seizures if they have a history of seizures or brain problems. They may also have a higher risk if they’re taking other medications that are associated with an increased risk of seizures. These include bupropion (Wellbutrin) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

What you can do

If your child experiences a convulsion or seizure during treatment with Triptodur, talk with your doctor right away. They can determine if it’s safe to continue treatment with Triptodur.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some children, Triptodur can cause an allergic reaction. In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your child’s doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your child’s symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether your child should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If your child has a serious allergic reaction to Triptodur, their doctor may recommend they take a different medication instead.

Triptodur may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

How do side effects of Triptodur compare with those seen with Lupron Depot-Ped?

Triptodur and Lupron Depot-Ped are both GnRH agonists used to treat CPP in children. Some of their side effects are the same, but some are different.

Your child may experience side effects or worsening puberty symptoms after starting treatment and after each dose is given. Triptodur is given once every 6 months. And Lupron Depot-Ped is given every 1 or 3 months, depending on what your child’s doctor recommends.

Both Triptodur and Lupron Depot-Ped can cause mild side effects such as headache, hot flashes, mood changes, injection site reactions, and menstrual bleeding. Lupron Depot-Ped has also been reported to cause acne, skin rash, weight gain, and gastrointestinal problems like abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Triptodur and Lupron Depot-Ped can both cause severe side effects, such as seizures and high pressure in the brain.

Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about how the side effects of Triptodur and Lupron Depot-Ped compare. You can also view this article about Lupron Depot-Ped side effects.

Does Triptodur cause long-term side effects?

Long-term side effects weren’t reported in clinical trials of Triptodur. Any side effects your child experiences during treatment will typically go away a few weeks after their injection.

Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions or concerns about the long-term side effects of Triptodur.

How long do side effects of Triptodur last?

Side effects of Triptodur typically last for a few weeks after treatment is started. Some children may experience side effects after each injection of Triptodur.

Your child’s puberty symptoms, such as vaginal bleeding, may also get worse when first starting treatment. This may happen after each dose of Triptodur but should only last a few weeks before puberty symptoms go away. This is because hormone levels quickly rise after each injection. After a few weeks, hormone levels drop and side effects should disappear.

If your child has any side effects that last longer than 2 months after receiving their dose of Triptodur, talk with their doctor. They can determine if it’s safe for your child to continue treatment with Triptodur.

Before starting Triptodur, discuss your child’s health history with their doctor. Triptodur may not be right for them if they have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting their health. Be sure to talk with your child’s doctor if any of the following apply to them:

  • epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • mental health conditions
  • brain problems
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.