What is leuprolide?
Leuprolide is a man-made form of a hormone that regulates many processes in the body.
Leuprolide overstimulates the body's own production of certain hormones, which causes that
production to shut down temporarily. Leuprolide reduces the amount of testosterone in men or
estrogen in women.
Leuprolide is used
in men
to treat the symptoms of prostate cancer.
Leuprolide treats only the symptoms of prostate cancer and does not treat the cancer itself. Use any
other medications your doctor has prescribed to best treat your condition.
Leuprolide is used
in women
to treat symptoms of endometriosis (overgrowth
of uterine lining outside of the uterus) or uterine fibroids.
Leuprolide is also used to treat precocious (early-onset) puberty in both male and female
children.
Leuprolide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking leuprolide?
Certain brands or strengths of leuprolide are used to treat only men and should not be used
in women or children. Always check your medication to make sure you have received the correct
brand and strength prescribed by your doctor. Ask the pharmacist if you have any questions about the
medicine you receive at the pharmacy.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to leuprolide or similar medications
such as buserelin (Suprefact, Suprecor), goserelin (Zoladex), histrelin (Supprelin), nafarelin (Synarel),
or if you have:
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely use leuprolide:
-
a personal or family history of osteoporosis;
-
risk factors for bone loss such as smoking, alcohol use, or
taking steroid or seizure medications long term;
-
epilepsy;
-
asthma;
-
migraines;
-
heart disease;
-
kidney disease;
-
a history of depression;
-
bone cancer affecting your spine;
-
blood in your urine; or
-
if you are unable to urinate.
FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects.
Do not use
leuprolide if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become
pregnant during treatment.
Leuprolide usually causes women to stop ovulating or having menstrual periods. However,
you may still be able to get pregnant. Use an effective barrier form of birth control (such as a condom
or diaphragm with spermicide gel or inserts). Hormonal forms of contraception (such as birth control
pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings) may not be effective in preventing pregnancy
while you are using leuprolide.
Because leuprolide is expected to cause your menstrual periods to stop, contact your
doctor if your periods continue while you are being treated with this medication.
Do not breast-feed a baby while using leuprolide.
Long-term use of this medication may decrease bone density, possibly leading to osteoporosis.
Talk with your doctor about your possible risk for osteoporosis. You may need to receive a bone scan
if you ever need to be re-treated with leuprolide in the future.
How should I take leuprolide?
Leuprolide is given as an injection under the skin or into a muscle. Your doctor, nurse, or other
healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to inject your medicine at
home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and
properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these
directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Leuprolide may be given once every month or once every 3 to 6 months. How often you
receive this medication will depend on the condition being treated. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Because different brands or strengths of leuprolide are used to treat different conditions, it is
very important that you receive exactly the brand and strength your doctor has prescribed. If you
self-inject this medication at home, always check your medication to make sure you have received the
correct brand and type prescribed by your doctor.
Your symptoms may become temporarily worse as your hormones adjust when you first
start using this medication. For best results, keep using the medication as instructed by your doctor.
Your condition should eventually improve with continued use of leuprolide.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often.
This will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with leuprolide. You may still need blood
tests for up to 3 months after you stop using leuprolide to check your hormone levels and pituitary gland
function. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Store
Lupron
in the original carton at room temperature, away from
moisture and heat.
Store
Eligard
in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. You may take the
medicine out and allow it to reach room temperature before mixing and injecting your dose. After the
dose is mixed, you must use the injection within 30 minutes.
Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof
container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container
out of the reach of children and pets.
What happens if I miss a dose of leuprolide?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose.
Women who miss more than one leuprolide dose may have breakthrough bleeding. Children
who miss more than one dose may have a return of pubertal symptoms such as breast development,
growth in the testicles, or menstrual periods.
Where can I get more information about leuprolide?
Your pharmacist has information about leuprolide written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of leuprolide?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
-
bone pain;
-
swelling, rapid weight gain;
-
pain, burning, stinging, bruising, or redness where the
medication was injected;
-
feeling like you might pass out;
-
painful or difficult urination;
-
urinating more often than usual; or
-
sudden headache with vision problems, vomiting,
confusion, slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, or slow breathing.
Rare but serious side effects may include:
-
pain or unusual sensations in your back;
-
numbness, weakness, or tingly feeling in your legs or feet;
-
muscle weakness or loss of use; and
-
loss of bowel or bladder control.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
acne, increased growth of facial hair;
-
breakthrough bleeding in a female child during the first 2
months of leuprolide treatment;
-
dizziness, weakness, tired feeling;
-
hot flashes, night sweats, chills, clammy skin;
-
nausea, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain;
-
skin redness, itching, or scaling;
-
joint or muscle pain;
-
vaginal itching or discharge
-
breast swelling or tenderness;
-
testicle pain;
-
impotence, loss of interest in sex;
-
depression, sleep problems (insomnia), memory problems;
or
-
redness, burning, itching, or swelling where the shot was
given.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about leuprolide?
This medication can cause birth defects.
Do not use if you are pregnant.
Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to leuprolide or similar medications
such as buserelin (Suprefact, Suprecor), goserelin (Zoladex), histrelin (Supprelin), nafarelin (Synarel),
or if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been diagnosed by a doctor; or if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
Before using leuprolide, tell your doctor if you have epilepsy, asthma, migraines, heart or kidney
disease, a history of depression, bone cancer affecting your spine, blood in your urine, or if you are
unable to urinate.
Tell your doctor if you have a personal or family history of osteoporosis, or if you have any risk
factors for bone loss such as smoking, alcohol use, or taking steroid or seizure medications long term.
Long-term use of this medication may decrease bone density, possibly leading to osteoporosis.
Certain brands or strengths of leuprolide are used to treat only men and should not be used
in women or children. Always check your medication to make sure you have received the correct
brand and strength prescribed by your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking leuprolide?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
What other drugs will affect leuprolide?
There may be other drugs that can interact with leuprolide. Tell your doctor about all your
prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs
prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of leuprolide?
