Leuprolide

What is Leuprolide?

Leuprolide, a prescription-only gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), is the name of a medicine.Leuprolide stimulates the body to produce hormones. This causes this production to temporarily shut down. Leuprolide decreases the amount of testosterone or oestrogen in both men and women.Leuprolide can be used to treat symptoms of prostatic cancer in men, but it does not treat cancer. Leuprolide can be used by women to treat the symptoms of endometriosis or uterine fibroids.Leuprolide can also be used to treat early puberty (early onset) in males and females older than 2 years.

Warnings

Leuprolide may temporarily make your symptoms worse. If this persists for more than two months, tell your doctor.If you experience a seizure or notice any unusual changes in your mood or behaviour, call your doctor immediately.Do not use it if you are pregnant.

Before you take this drug

Leuprolide should not be used if you're allergic to it or other similar medications, such as goserelin or buserelin.Leuprolide may cause birth defects. Do not use this medication if pregnant. Inform your doctor immediately if you are pregnant.Leuprolide is only prescribed to men. Women and children should not use certain brands or strengths. Check your medicine to ensure you are receiving the right brand and strength.

Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that leuprolide will be safe for you:

• Mental illness, such as depression;
• Seizures or epilepsy;
• A blood vessel disorder;
• A brain tumour or a spinal cord injury.
• Long qt syndrome.
• An electrolyte imbalance can be caused by a low potassium or magnesium level in the blood.
• Risk factors for bone loss include: smoking (personal or familial history), alcohol consumption, long-term use of steroid and seizure medications, or a family history.

This medicine should not be given to children without medical advice.Leuprolide can cause women to stop having periods or ovulating. You may still be able to get pregnant. To prevent pregnancy, use a diaphragm or condom with spermicide. Leuprolide may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal birth control (birth control pills, injections, skin patches, vaginal rings).If you continue to have periods while taking this medication, call your doctor.Breastfeeding mothers must avoid taking this medicine.

Similar/related drugs

Erleada, Estradiol, Tamoxifen, Premarin, Lupron, Norethindrone, and Xtandi

How to take Leuprolide?

Follow the instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Check all instructions listed on your prescription label before beginning treatment.Leuprolide is available in different strengths or brands to treat various conditions. You must only use the brand and strength that your doctor prescribed. Check your medications to ensure you are receiving the brand and type that your doctor prescribed.Leuprolide can be injected into the muscle or under the skin once a month, or every 3 to 6 weeks. You can learn how to use the medication properly by yourself from a healthcare provider.Please read and follow all instructions for use that come with your medication. If you do not understand the instructions, don't use leuprolide. Should you have any inquiries, it is always advisable to speak to either your pharmacist or physician.As your hormones adjust to leuprolide, you may experience a temporary worsening of symptoms. During the first few weeks of treatment, a child may experience increased symptoms of puberty.Continue to use the medicine according to instructions, and inform your doctor if you still feel worse 2 months after taking this medication.Leuprolide may require frequent medical testing. Fensolvi may require that the growth of bones in children be monitored.Keep Lupron at room temperature and away from heat, moisture, and heat. Protect from light.Keep Fensolvi or Eligard in the fridge. Do not freeze. Do not freeze. Mixed medicine must be consumed within 30 minutes.Store Eligard and Fensolvi at room temperature for up to eight weeks.Only use a needle or syringe once, and then store them in a "sharps container" that is puncture-proof. Be sure to follow local or state laws on how to properly dispose of the container. Keep containers out of reach of both pets and children.

Details on dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Endometriosis:

3.75 mg IM every month up to six months
OR
11.25 mg depot every 3 months
Comments:
Hormone replacement therapy should be recommended for women who are receiving this medication to treat endometriosis. This will reduce the loss of bone mineral density and vasomotor problems.
Uses: treatment of endometriosis, including pain relief and reduction in endometriotic lesions. Preoperative improvement in anaemia patients caused by uterine leomyomata

Adult dose for prostate cancer:

Eligard is administered subcutaneously and releases leuprolide over a period of one, three, or four months.

• One 7.5 mg injection every month;
• One 22.5 mg injection every 3 months;
• One 30-mg injection every four months;
• One 45 mg injection every 6 months

Viadur: One implant for 12 months. Each implant contains 65 mg of leuprolide. The implant is placed subcutaneously on the inner side of the upper arm. It releases leuprolide continuously for 12 months.

Usual paediatric dose for precocious puberty:

IM Injection:
Two years old and older
Depot injection for one month: Less than 25 kg: 7.5 mg once a week. From 25 kg up to 37.5kg: 11.25mg IM once a week. More than 37.5 kg: 15 mg IM every month
Three-month depot injection: 11.25mg or 30mg IM every three months
Comments:
Doses should be adjusted for each individual.
Tests should be performed on hormone levels after a period of 1 to 2 weeks and at each dose adjustment to ensure that pituitary-gonadotropin is being suppressed adequately.
Once a dose has been established that produces adequate hormonal suppression, it is often possible to maintain this dosage for the entire duration of treatment in most children. However, hormonal suppression must be confirmed, as weight may increase during therapy.
The doctor can decide when to stop the therapy.
Subcutaneous injection:
Two years old and older
Fensolvi: 45 mg subcutaneously, every 6 months.
Note: Long-acting formulations have replaced the short-acting formula.
Comments:
The dosage should be adjusted to weight changes.
Discontinuation of treatment should be considered for females before the age of 11 and for males before the age of 12.
Use: Treatment for children with central precocious (CPP) puberty. CPP is defined by early-onset secondary sexual characteristics in girls (generally before 8 years of age in girls and earlier than 9 years of age in boys) associated with the activation of pubertal gonadotropin. It may also show significantly older bone ageing that can lead to shortened adult height.

What happens if I miss the dose?

If you miss a dosage, call your doctor to get instructions.

What happens if I overdose?

Call 1-800-222-1222 if you suspect an accidental poisoning and require assistance immediately or visit your nearest healthcare provider for treatment.

What should be avoided?

If your doctor prescribes any restrictions regarding food, beverage, or activity, follow their instructions.

Side effects of Leuprolide

If you experience signs of an allergic response to leuprolide, such as hives, sweating, fast heartbeats, or difficulty breathing, or if your skin is affected by a severe reaction, seek emergency medical attention.

If you experience:

• Pituitary problems: sudden severe headache; vomiting; problems with vision or eyesight; or changes in mood and behaviour.
• If you have pain in your bones or a loss of mobility anywhere on your body, this is a sign of bone pain.
• Rapid weight gain and swelling
• A seizure;
• Unusual changes in mood or behaviour (crying, anger, feeling irritable, etc.)
• Wheezing, a dry cough, or sudden chest discomfort
• Urination that is painful or difficult
• High blood sugar: increased thirst, increased urination, and hunger, as well as a fruity breath smell.

Serious side effects can occur. Contact your doctor immediately if:

• Pain or unusual sensations, numbness or weakness in your legs and feet, or a tingling feeling
• Loss of control of the bowel or bladder; muscle weakness or loss;
• Heart attack symptoms include chest pain, pressure, or pain that spreads to the jaw or shoulder. Nausea is another symptom.
• Signs of a Stroke: sudden numbness, weakness, or headache (especially on one side), slurred words

Leuprolide may cause side effects such as:

• Pituitary gland disorders
• Cold symptoms include a stuffy nose, a sore throat, and a cough with or without mucus.
• Fever, fatigue, feeling unwell;
• Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and constipation;
• Wheezing, chest pain, and difficulty breathing
• Sweating, hot flashes;
• Dizziness, mood changes;
• Headache, general pain;
• Vaginal swelling or discharge; itching or swelling;
• Weight changes
• Reduced testicle size
• Reduced interest in sex
• Redness, swelling, or oozing at the site of the injection

There may be other side effects. Call your doctor immediately if experiencing side effects; for reporting purposes contact 1-800-FDA-1088 to report adverse events.

Interaction with other drug

Leuprolide may cause serious heart problems if taken with other medications for asthma, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, or cancer.Leuprolide may interact with other drugs, such as vitamins and herbal remedies. Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are taking, as well as any new ones.