Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (WPI), announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved MIXJECT, which is a new delivery system for TRELSTAR (triptorelin pamoate for injectable suspension). The delivery system includes some new features, a smaller 21-gauge needle that should improve comfort and a shield covering the needle both before and after drug administration. The system is designed to encourage compliance with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations within the medical community.
Watson claims that the changes in the delivery system were a result of the collaboration of both physicians and patients.

TRELSTAR is a synthetic hormone known as a luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist, which suppresses the production of testosterone in the testicles (used as a part of a hormone blockade). TRELSTAR is available in both a 4-week depot formulation (TRELSTAR DEPOT) and a 12-week long-acting formulation (TRELSTAR LA). This class of drug (LHRH) offers an alternative treatment for prostate cancer when orchiectomy (removal of the testicles) or estrogen administration are either not indicated or unacceptable to the patient. LHRH treatment is often referred to as chemical castration.

Joel T Nowak MA, MSW