Latebreakers: New implant halts precocious puberty

Central precocious puberty may now be treated with a once-daily subcutaneous implant called Supprelin-LA, from Indevus Pharmaceuticals. The unique treatment, inserted into the inner side of the upper arm provides a continuous release of 65 mcg/day over 12 months of histrelin, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog. The new product utilizes the company's Hydron Implant technology and may improve long-term compliance and reduce the frequent dosing often required with other forms of treatment. Precocious puberty is premature development that normally occurs during puberty. In males, this is defined as earlier than nine years old and, in females, it's development before the age of eight years.