You may also feel that your little daughter or son is showing signs of being a big kid before his or her due date. For example, it is normal for a mother or father to feel a little scared when they see things like the development of breasts in a seven or eight year old daughter, or the deepening of a son's voice in a boy of the same age. In medical terms, we call this condition "precocious puberty". At a time like this, when you show your child to a doctor, he or she may have mentioned a vaccine called `Triptorelin` as a treatment for this. So today, let's talk about this simply, as if we were talking to a friend.
Simply put, what is this drug called Triptorelin?
Triptorelin is a special injection given to control precocious puberty in children. Now you may be wondering, "How do I stop precocious puberty?"
Think of it this way. Our body is like a big company. This company has messengers that send different messages for different tasks. We call these messengers in our body hormones . These hormones carry the message that tells the body that it is time to enter puberty. The hormone called ``estrogen`` for girls and ``testosterone`` for boys are key to this.
So, what happens to a child with `Precocious Puberty` is that these hormone messengers start working a little earlier. The `Triptorelin` injection does a very simple thing. It temporarily reduces the level of these hormones. In other words, it gives the body a little signal saying, "It's not the right time to start puberty yet, wait a little longer." Therefore, during the period when the child is given this medicine, the signs of puberty slow down, or stop completely. This gives the child the opportunity to develop physically, normally, like other children of his age.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
This is very important. Before starting this treatment for your child, the doctor needs to get a complete picture of your child's health. Therefore, be sure to discuss the information below with the doctor without hiding anything.
| Information you need to provide | Why is it important? (Simply) |
|---|---|
| If the child has brain cancer or a tumor. | This medicine may affect such conditions, so it is essential to be aware of this for safety reasons. |
| If the child has a mental health problem (e.g. depression). | Since this medication may affect the mood of some children, it is important for the doctor to be aware of this in advance. |
| If the child has seizures. | Although very rare, this medication can affect seizure conditions, so your doctor should be aware of this. |
| If you have allergies to Triptorelin or any other medicine, food, or dye. | This information is essential to prevent a severe allergic reaction to the medicine. |
| (If a young girl) is pregnant or trying to get pregnant. | This medicine is not suitable during pregnancy. |
| (If you are a young mother) If you are breastfeeding your baby. | You need to be careful about whether the ingredients in the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
How is this vaccine given to the child?
This is not a home injection. This medicine is given as an intramuscular injection. That is why it is always given to the child in a hospital or clinic by a trained doctor or nursing staff.
Also, before each treatment, you will be given a special information leaflet ``MedGuide`` about this medicine. Always read it carefully. It may contain important information.
If you think you have accidentally overdosed, do not panic and immediately take your child to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) . You can also call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice at any time.
What to do if you miss the day of the vaccination?
It is very important to get the vaccine on the scheduled date and time for the success of this treatment. Therefore, do not miss the dates given by the doctor. If for some reason you are unable to go on the scheduled date, call your doctor or clinic immediately and inform them of this and set a new date for your visit.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Your child may be taking medication for other medical conditions. Some medications may interact with the Triptorelin vaccine and affect its effectiveness.
Therefore, tell the doctor about all the medicines your child is taking. This includes:
- Medicines prescribed by doctors for other diseases
- Medications for mental health problems (e.g., medication for depression)
- Over-the-counter medications (e.g. Panadol, cough syrup)
- Vitamins or other supplements
- Ayurvedic or Sinhala medicines
By giving the doctor a complete list of all of this, you can prevent unnecessary problems from occurring.
Things we need to pay attention to during treatment
Once your child starts treatment, your responsibility increases. You need to pay close attention to the child's changes.
- Regular medical check-ups: Attend clinics to check your child's condition as directed by your doctor. He or she may also order blood tests to check hormone levels.
- Behavioral and mood changes: Pay close attention to any changes in your child's behavior. For example, if you notice any signs of sudden crying, frequent tantrums, restlessness, or aggressive behavior , tell your doctor right away.
- Most importantly - changes in the first two months: Keep this in mind. During the first two months of starting this medication, signs of puberty (for example, a girl may have a slight vaginal bleeding) may appear to increase slightly.
This is normal, don't worry. This happens during the initial period when the body gets used to the medicine. However, if this condition persists after two months, be sure to talk to your doctor.
Side effects that may occur due to this medicine
Like any medicine, the `Triptorelin` vaccine can cause some side effects. However, not all children experience these. The table below will help you understand clearly what these are and when we should be concerned.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| 🚨 Things to report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat (may cause difficulty breathing). |
| Increased pressure around the brain | Severe headache, blurred vision or changes in vision, nausea, vomiting. |
| Severe mood swings | Sudden anger, violent behavior, unusual restlessness. |
| Seizures | Body shaking, loss of consciousness. |
| 🙂 Usually there is nothing to worry about, but if it persists, there are things you should tell your doctor. | |
| Headache | Slight headache. |
| Hot flashes | Sudden feeling of heat in the body. |
| Minor respiratory disorders | Cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat. |
| Pain at the injection site | Redness, slight pain, or swelling where the injection was given. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you notice anything different about your child, it is best to ask your doctor about it.
Take-Home Message
- Triptorelin is a hormone-lowering injection used to control precocious puberty in children.
- Before starting this treatment, be sure to tell the doctor about all of your child's health information and any other medications you are taking.
- This is a vaccine given at a hospital or clinic. It is very important to attend the clinics on time.
- Signs of puberty may temporarily increase during the first two months of treatment. This is normal, but if they persist, tell your doctor .
- If you notice symptoms such as severe allergic reactions, seizures, severe headaches, or severe changes in behavior, seek medical advice immediately.
- Talk openly with your doctor about any questions, fears, or concerns you may have. It is very important for your child's well-being that you and your doctor work as a team.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න