Triptorelin
Also known as: Trelstar, Decapeptyl
Triptorelin is a potent GnRH-receptor agonist that first transiently stimulates LH and FSH release, then, with continuous exposure, downregulates and desensitizes pituitary GnRH receptors to suppress gonadotropins and sex steroids.
- Drug class
- GnRH agonist (synthetic decapeptide analog)
- Primary targets
- Pituitary GnRH receptor (GnRHR)
- Dose reference
- Label reference doses (not recommendations): Trelstar IM 3.75 mg every 4 weeks, 11.25 mg every 12 weeks, or 22.5 mg every 24 weeks; Triptodur IM 22.5 mg every 24 weeks for CPP.
- Half-life
- Terminal plasma half-life ~3 hours after IV dosing, but depot formulations release the peptide over 4 to 24 weeks.
- Developer / origin
- Debiopharm (Switzerland), licensed from Tulane University; marketed by Ipsen (Decapeptyl) and partners (Trelstar/Triptodur)
- Reference year
- 1986
- Evidence score
- 5/5 - Approved, label-backed efficacy
Approved uses
- Palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer (US Trelstar)
- Central precocious puberty in pediatric patients 2 years and older (US Triptodur)
- Endometriosis (EU Decapeptyl)
- Uterine fibroids (EU Decapeptyl)
- Assisted reproduction / pituitary down-regulation (EU)
Approved, label-backed efficacy
Triptorelin is an FDA- and EU-approved long-acting GnRH agonist with prescribing-label evidence for advanced prostate cancer and central precocious puberty, plus randomized trial support in endometriosis. Efficacy in reversible sex-steroid suppression is well established; the main caveats are the early flare phase and class safety risks.
Approved medication with substantial human clinical evidence.
Evidence basis
- US FDA prescribing information for Trelstar (advanced prostate cancer) and Triptodur (central precocious puberty), both via DailyMed
- Placebo-controlled randomized trial showing triptorelin reduces endometriosis pain symptoms (PubMed 9548161)
- Pediatric CPP studies and depot pharmacology/pharmacokinetic literature (PMC3356708, PMC4428800, PMC3154964)
How to read this entry
Dose references and half-life values are pulled from trial protocols, labels, reviews, or published summaries where available. They are context for research and comparison, not a personal dosing recommendation.
Status matters: approved drugs have regulated indications; investigational compounds are still being studied; research-only peptides do not have established human dosing, safety, or efficacy for consumer use.
Triptorelin guides
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Peptide calculators
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Compare with related peptides
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Goserelin
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Goserelin is a synthetic decapeptide GnRH agonist that first stimulates and then, with continuous depot exposure, downregulates pituitary GnRH receptors to suppress LH, FSH and downstream sex steroids toward castrate or postmenopausal levels.
Buserelin
Suprefact
Buserelin is a GnRH receptor superagonist that initially stimulates and then, with continuous non-pulsatile exposure, desensitizes pituitary gonadotrophs to suppress LH, FSH and downstream testosterone or estradiol production.
Nafarelin
Synarel
Nafarelin is a potent GnRH receptor agonist that initially stimulates pituitary LH and FSH release but with continued dosing downregulates the receptor, suppressing gonadotropins and sex steroid production.
Histrelin
Supprelin LA, Vantas
Histrelin is a GnRH receptor agonist that initially stimulates and then, through continuous implant delivery, downregulates pituitary GnRH receptors to suppress LH, FSH and sex steroid production.