Treatment Options for
Central Precocious Puberty (CPP)
Which CPP treatment is best for your child?
Your pediatric endocrinologist is the best authority on determining how and when to treat CPP. The
medicine he or she prescribes can help slow or even stop the signs and symptoms of puberty until a
more appropriate age for puberty to start up again.1
However, you should also learn as much as possible about the different types of treatments for CPP,
because it can help you and your child prepare for the treatment process. After reviewing all of the
options, you should discuss them with your pediatric endocrinologist. Once your child begins
treatment, he or she will need to be monitored to make sure the medication is working. Part of
successful treatment is keeping your child's appointments for medication and monitoring.
Treating CPP with GnRH agonists
By far, the most common treatment for CPP is called a
gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonistGonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH): a hormone made by the hypothalamus (part of the brain) that causes the pituitary gland (a small gland at the base of the brain) to release two other hormones: luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).2
GnRH agonists work by making sure the pituitary glandPituitary gland: a small gland located at the base of the brain that helps control the release of hormones
ignores signals from the hypothalamusHypothalamus: a part of the brain that regulates a number of basic body functions, like temperature, sleep, food intake, and the development of secondary sex characteristics.
The pituitary gland stops sending hormonesHormone: a chemical substance produced in an organ of the body (like the adrenal glands or the pituitary gland) and carried to another organ or tissue in the body, where it has a specific effect
to stimulate the ovaries and testes to produce sex hormones.2,3 (For a discussion of how
hormones trigger puberty, see how puberty begins.)
GnRH agonists are proven to help stabilize the symptoms of CPP. Once your pediatric endocrinologist
decides that your child is a more appropriate age, he or she will stop GnRH agonist therapy, and the
puberty process will start back up again.1
Types of GnRH agonists
LURPON DEPOT-PED is the GnRH agonist most often prescribed in the US.5 It’s given in the form of
an injection on a routine basis, allowing your pediatric endocrinologist to monitor your child at regular
intervals and adjust dosing when needed. LUPRON DEPOT-PED is available in both
3-month and 1- month dosing options.
Other forms of GnRH agonists include a yearly implant and a daily nasal spray.3,6,7
When considering treatments, it’s important to discuss with your pediatric endocrinologist which type
of treatment will work best for you and your child, as well as any possible side effects that can happen with CPP therapy.
During the first weeks of treatment with a GnRH like LURPON DEPOT-PED, an increase in the signs of puberty (like vaginal bleeding)
may occur. This is a common initial effect of the drug—your child will experience an
increase in puberty-causing hormones before they start decreasing.5-7 Call your pediatric
endocrinologist if these symptoms continue beyond the second month of treatment.
Monitoring your child’s progress
In addition to monitoring your child during the first month, you may want to track how your child is
progressing throughout therapy. Using a Progress Tracker like this one
for LUPRON DEPOT-PED can help you keep track of your child’s pubertal development.
Your pediatric endocrinologist will probably want to monitor your child to see how he or she is
responding to treatment. Monitoring is especially important during the first 6–8 weeks of treatment to
make sure the medicine is working the way it’s supposed to and your child is receiving and responding
to the lowest effective dose. Your pediatric endocrinologist will also probably want to monitor your
child’s growth rate and bone age every 3–6 months or so after treatment starts.5-7