Nafarelin (Into the nose)
naf-a-REL-in
Treats endometriosis and premature puberty (very early sexual development).
Drug classes
Endocrine-Metabolic Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Nafarelin is a man-made version of a hormone that is similar to the one normally released from the hypothalamus gland in the brain. Nafarelin nasal spray is used for the treatment of:
Central precocious puberty (CPP), a condition that causes early puberty in boys (before 9 years of age) and in girls (before 8 years of age).
Endometriosis, a painful condition caused by extra tissue growing inside or outside of the uterus (womb).
When given regularly to boys and girls experiencing early puberty, nafarelin slows down the development of genital areas in both sexes and breast development in girls. This medicine delays puberty in a child only as long as the child continues to take it.
When given regularly to women, nafarelin prevents the growth of tissue caused by endometriosis in adult women during treatment and for 6 months after treatment is discontinued. Reducing the amount of estrogen in the body is one way of treating endometriosis.
Suppressing estrogen can cause thinning of the bones or slowing of growth. This is a problem for adult women whose bones are no longer growing like the bones of children. Slowing the growth of bones is a positive effect for girls and boys whose bones grow too fast when puberty begins too early. Boys and girls may benefit by adding inches to their adult height when nafarelin causes their bones to grow at the proper and expected rate for children.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Spray
Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
To use, tilt your head back slightly. Put the tip of the bottle into your nostril and spray the medicine into your nose.
Allow 30 seconds between sprays.
Try not to sneeze during or right after using this medicine.
For premature puberty, it is important to use this medicine regularly without missing doses. Keep using the medicine until your doctor tells you to stop.
For endometriosis, start using this medicine between days 2 and 4 of your menstrual cycle, unless instructed otherwise by your doctor. This medicine is used for a period of six months. It is important to use this medicine regularly without missing doses.
If a dose is missed:
Use your medicine as soon as possible unless it is almost time for your next dose.
Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next regular dose.
Do not use two doses at the same time.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
Store upright at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep the medicine from freezing.
Keep this and all medicine out of the reach of children.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using or have used seizure medicines or steroids.
Tell your doctor if you have used alcohol or tobacco for a long time.
When Not To Use
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to nafarelin, gonadotropin releasing hormone, or other gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists, such as leuprolide (Lupron®) or goserelin (Zoladex®). You should not use this medicine if you have unusual vaginal bleeding, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Warnings
For premature puberty, your doctor may want to check your progress regularly while you are using this medicine.
During the first month of using this medicine for premature puberty, girls may have vaginal bleeding or breast enlargement. This should go away. If you have used this medicine for 2 months or more and still have vaginal bleeding or breast enlargement, tell your doctor.
If you get a stuffy nose, and need to use a nasal decongestant, call your doctor. If your doctor tells you to use a decongestant, wait at least 2 hours after using nafarelin to use the decongestant.
You should not get pregnant while using this medicine to treat endometriosis. Talk to your doctor about effective methods of birth control to use. If you do get pregnant, tell your doctor right away.
If you are using this medicine to treat endometriosis, you should stop having menstrual periods. If you have a period after taking this medicine for more than a month, call your doctor.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have a family history of osteoporosis if you are being treated for endometriosis.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Breasts becoming smaller (during endometriosis treatment)
Dryness of vagina (during endometriosis treatment)
Headache, muscle aches (during endometriosis treatment)
Hot flashes (during endometriosis treatment)
Irritation of the nostrils
Loss of interest in sex (during endometriosis treatment)
Mood changes
Weight gain or fluid retention (during endometriosis treatment)
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Synarel
There may be other brand names for this medicine.
