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Supprelin implant

Published March 20, 2013
• Reviewed by a UI Health Care Provider

Procedure

Supprelin is also known as Histrelin. It is used to treat early-onset puberty. This means that your child’s puberty started earlier than normal. A nurse practitioner or doctor will give you this medicine.

Supprelin is an implant. It gives medicine slowly for a whole year. It is placed surgically in the arm. It is placed just under the skin of the upper arm. Your doctor will treat the arm with numbing medicine. Then, he will cut a small incision. He will put the implant in with a special tool. Some children may need a light general anesthesia, or sleeping medicine, for the procedure.

The implant will be left in place for 1 year. After this time, it can be replaced or removed.

Incision

The incision, or cut, will be closed with a special kind of tape called Steri-Strips. A bandage will be placed over the arm. This bandage should be left on for 4-6 hours. Do not take off the Steri-Strips. They will roll up or fall off on their own in 7-10 days. Keep the arm clean and dry for 24 hours. Do not swim or take a bath or shower for 24 hours. Avoid public swimming pools for 2 weeks.

Watch your child for signs of infection. Look at your child’s incision each day. Call your doctor if:

  • The incision has more redness
  • The incision is warmer than the rest of the skin
  • Your child has a fever of over 101 degrees F or chills
  • Your child has behavior changes, such as being more tired, fussy, or eating less
  • Your child has color changes, such as being red or pale or gray

Activity

The arm may be sore. Your doctor or nurse practitioner may give you pain medicine to take for a few days after the procedure. Take this medicine as the doctor tells you. It may help to take it every 4-6 hours for the first day. Your child should not lift heavy things for 7 days after the implant is placed.