[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [GnRH analogues (agonists and antagonists)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/gnrh-analogues/) › Triptorelin

[Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) · [GnRH analogues (agonists and antagonists)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/gnrh-analogues/)

# Triptorelin

A long-acting GnRH agonist injection for advanced prostate cancer and early puberty in children. Hormones rise for a few weeks, then fall.

Updated 2026-11-01

- Class: [GnRH analogues (agonists and antagonists)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/gnrh-analogues/)
- Receptor: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRH-R)
- ATC code: L02AE04

## Mechanism of action

Triptorelin is a long-acting GnRH agonist. A depot injection stimulates the pituitary GnRH receptors continuously: LH, FSH and sex steroids rise in the first weeks, then the receptors desensitise and testosterone or oestrogen fall. In children with central precocious puberty this pauses pubertal development.

- Continuously stimulates the pituitary GnRH receptor
- Brief rise of LH, FSH and sex hormones
- The receptors desensitise
- Sex hormones fall; puberty or tumour growth pauses

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Extended-release suspension injected into a muscle; released over weeks to months

**Onset and duration**
Hormones rise during the first weeks before falling

## Indications

- Advanced prostate cancer [Prostate cancer →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/prostate-cancer/)
- Central precocious puberty

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Hot flushes and sweating
- Headache
- Decreased sexual desire or ability
- Constipation and heartburn
- Mood changes such as irritability or crying
- Vaginal bleeding in girls in the first weeks

### Serious (rare, important)

- Tumour flare in the first weeks: bone pain, urinary obstruction, spinal cord compression
- Seizures
- High blood sugar and diabetes; raised lipids
- Heart attack and stroke
- Severe allergic reactions

## Contraindications

- Hypersensitivity to triptorelin
- Pregnancy

## Key interactions

**Drugs that prolong the QT interval**
Androgen deprivation can prolong the QT interval; effects may add up.

## What is monitored

- Testosterone and PSA in prostate cancer
- Signs of puberty in children
- Blood glucose and lipids
- Cardiovascular symptoms

## Administration and safety

- Long-acting suspension injected into a muscle by a health professional; schedules differ by product.
- Prepared exactly as the product instructions describe.

## Nursing care

- Ask about long QT syndrome, diabetes and spinal metastases before starting.
- In the first weeks, watch for bone pain, urinary difficulty or leg weakness in men with prostate cancer.
- Tell families that some pubertal signs or spotting may appear in the first weeks in children.
- Teach to report mood changes, seizures, chest pain or one-sided weakness.

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Not used in pregnancy; pregnancy is reported at once if it occurs during treatment.

## Memory aid

TRIPtorelin TRIPS the pituitary into silence after a short shout: flare first, quiet later.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which two main uses does triptorelin have?

Advanced prostate cancer and central precocious puberty in children.

## A girl starting triptorelin for precocious puberty has spotting in the first weeks. Why?

The agonist first raises sex hormones before suppressing them; a brief worsening of pubertal signs or spotting can occur early.

## Which neurological adverse effect is listed for triptorelin?

Seizures; the patient is asked about a history of seizures and risk factors.

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## Related drugs

- [Leuprorelin](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/leuprorelin/)
- [Goserelin](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/goserelin/)
- [Degarelix](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/degarelix/)

## Related conditions

- [Prostate cancer](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/prostate-cancer/)

[← Back to the class: GnRH analogues (agonists and antagonists)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/gnrh-analogues/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Triptorelin Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a611047.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=L02AE04) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026); Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 14th ed., ch. 46 (McGraw Hill, 2023).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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