A crossover study of triptorelin and leuprorelin acetate

Objective: To compare the potency, side effects, and duration of action of triptorelin and leuprorelin acetate after i.m. injections. Design: prospective, double-blind crossover clinical study. Setting: A teaching hospital. Patient(s): Fifty-four patients with pelvic endometriosis. Intervention(s): Twenty-seven patients had three doses of i.m. triptorelin (3.75 mg) followed by three doses of i.m. leuprorelin acetate at 3-week int ervals. Twenty-one patients had three doses of i.m. leuprorelin acetate (3. 75 mg) followed by three doses of i.m. triptorelin, also at 4-week interval s. Main Outcome Measure(s): Menopausal symptoms, time taken for menstruation t o return, serum E-2, FSH, LH levels, lipid profiles, and liver function tes ts. Result(s): The potencies of triptorelin and leuprorelin acetate in lowering the serum E-2, FSH, and LH levels were comparable. The severity of menopau sal symptoms, changes in the lipid profile and liver function parameters we re similar after triptorelin and leuprorelin acetate. The resurgence of ova rian activities and the spontaneous return of menstruation occurred signifi cantly earlier after leuprorelin acetate than triptorelin. Conclusion(s): Both drugs are equally potent in down-regulating the pituita ry-ovarian function, and their side effects are similar. Triptorelin has a longer duration of drug action and can be administered over a longer interv al period. (C) 2000 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.