Administration of decapeptyl/leuprorelin injections
Indication
Decapeptyl SR – IM injection is indicated for the treatment certain stages of prostate cancer. It is Amber on the BNSSG Joint Formulary (therefore appropriate for shared care – responsibility for prescribing transferred from the specialist team to primary care). Decapeptyl is the first line choice gonadorelin releasing hormone antagonist.
It is given at a dose of Decapeptyl SR 11.25mg IM every 3 months or alternatively Decapeptyl SR 22.5mg IM every 6 months. BNSSG CCG from Jun-22 advise 6 monthly formulation.
Decapeptyl SR 11.25mg (triptorelin pamoate) – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – (emc) (medicines.org.uk) [accessed 06/07/22]
Decapeptyl SR 22.5mg – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – (emc) (medicines.org.uk) (accessed 06/07/22)
Leuprorelin 11.25mg SC injection (Prostap 3 DCS) is indicated for the treatment certain stages of prostate cancer.
It is given at a dose of Leuprorelin 11.25mg SC every 3 months:
Administration
Decapeptyl may be administered by a trained nurse following recent prescription which should be visible on EMIS medications record, or under PSD.
Follow instructions for reconstitution in the patient information leaflet:
Decapeptyl SR 22.5mg – Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) – (emc) (medicines.org.uk) [accessed 06/07/22]
Leuprorelin may be administered by a trained nurse following recent prescription which should be visible on EMIS medications record, or under PSD.
Follow instructions for reconstitution in the user manual:
SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS (medicines.org.uk) [accessed 06/07/22]
Storage
Decapeptyl:
Do not store above 25°C. Do not refrigerate or freeze.
Keep container in the outer carton prior to use.
A stock will be kept in room 7.
Patients having the 6 monthly Decapeptyl 22.5mg dose will be sent a prescription which they will collect and bring with them to the appointment.
Leuprorelin:
Do not store above 25°C. Do not refrigerate or freeze.
Store in the original container in order to protect from light.
A stock will be kept in room 7.
Monitoring
Decapeptyl:
Minimum annual blood for PSA should be taken and the patient should have an annual GP review. Frequency of blood monitoring and injection should be written against problem heading. Patients often have this monitored in secondary care. Where the practice is taking PSA bloods for review at Out Patients please code this in notes.
Leuprorelin:
Minimum annual blood for PSA and LFT should be taken and the patient should have an annual GP review. Frequency of blood monitoring should be written against problem heading. Patients often have this monitored in secondary care. Where the practice is taking PSA bloods for review at Out Patients please code this in notes.
Coding
Decapeptyl:
Under prostate problem heading, record in consultation under procedure, code ‘Intramuscular injection of gonadorelin analogue’ and free text in the details of drug.
Also put in medication the script for the decapeptyl but do not issue (this will trigger the claim).
Leuprorelin:
Under prostate problem heading, record in consultation under procedure, code ‘Intramuscular injection of gonadorelin analogue’ and free text in the details of drug.
Also put in medication the script for the Leuprorelin but do not issue (this will trigger the claim).
Recalls
Recall code in diary ‘Prostate specific antigen monitoring’ with when next injection is due.
PN in charge of this recall list will review patients who are due a recall. Patient should be contacted and booked in for TRN if requires decapeptyl or leuprorelin and a GP if requires zoladex.
References
The Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC) Home – electronic medicines compendium (emc) (accessed 06/07/22)
The British National Formulary (BNF) Triptorelin | Drugs | BNF | NICE [accessed 06/07/22)
Tables
| Date | Version | Author | Changes |
| July 2022 | 1 | LT | New SOP |