Lupron

Generic name: Leuprolide
Dosage form: subcutaneous injection, intramuscular injection

Usage of Lupron

Lupron Depot (leuprolide) is a man-made hormone that overstimulates the body's production of certain hormones, which activates a negative feedback mechanism that, within a few weeks, temporarily reduces the amount of testosterone or estradiol produced by the body.

Lupron Depot may used in men to treat prostate cancer, and some forms may be used to treat female hormone-related problems such as endometriosis and uterine fibroids. Lupron Depot-Ped may be used to treat precocious (early-onset) puberty in both male and female children at least 2 years old. Lupron injection 14-day kit may be used to delay the release of eggs that will be retrieved for in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Lupron Depot may also be used to treat other hormone-related conditions, off-label (off-label means not an FDA-approved use but a recognized use of the medicine).

Lupron Depot-GYN and many other branded leuprolide products are no longer available commercially in the U.S., but generic options are available through several manufacturers.

Initially, leuprolide works by stimulating gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptors, which, at the beginning causes a surge in FSH and LH because GnRH controls the secretion of these hormones. However chronic administration causes a downregulation of these receptors, reducing the release of FSH and LH, and subsequent suppression of ovarian and testicular production of estradiol and testosterone respectively. It belongs to the class of medicines known as gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH agonists).

Lupron was first FDA-approved in 1985.

Lupron side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Lupron Depot (such as hives, sweating, fast heartbeats, dizziness, difficulty breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, a red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Call your doctor at once if you have:

A seizure

A sudden severe headache

A wheezing, dry cough, or hack

Bone pain

Heart attack symptoms - chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating; or

High blood sugar, symptoms may include increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, or fruity breath odor

Loss of movement in any part of your body

Muscle weakness or loss of use, loss of bowel or bladder control

Pain or unusual sensations in your back, numbness, weakness, or tingly feeling in your legs or feet

Painful or difficult urination

Problems with your eyes or vision

Rapid weight gain

Signs of a stroke - sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech

Sudden chest pain or discomfort

Swelling

Unusual changes in mood or behavior (crying spells, anger, feeling irritable)

Vomiting.

Common Lupron side effects affecting more than 2% of patients may include:

Abdominal pain

Acne

Breast tenderness

Decreased testicle size

Decreased interest in sex

Diarrhea

General pain

Headache

Hot flashes

Increased sweating

Injection site reactions

Mood changes

Nausea and vomiting

Rash

Vaginal bleeding or discharge

Weight increase.

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 the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Lupron

Certain brands or strengths of leuprolide are used to treat only men and should not be used in women or children. Always check your medicine to make sure you have received the correct brand and strength. Ask the pharmacist if you have any questions about the medicine you receive at the pharmacy.

To make sure Lupron Depot is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

depression, mental illness, or psychosis

seizures or epilepsy

a blood vessel disorder

a brain tumor or spinal cord injury

heart disease, congestive heart failure, long QT syndrome

an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood) or

risk factors for bone loss (personal or family history of osteoporosis, smoking, alcohol use, taking steroid or seizure medicines long term).

Call your doctor if your periods continue while you are being treated with this medicine.

Do not give this medicine to any child without medical advice.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Lupron Depot usually causes women to stop ovulating or having menstrual periods. However, you may still be able to get pregnant. Leuprolide can cause birth defects and should not be used if you are pregnant. Use a condom or diaphragm with spermicide to prevent pregnancy because leuprolide can make hormonal birth control less effective. Tell your doctor right away if you inadvertently become pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using leuprolide.

Leuprolide may cause infertility, although research shows full reversibility of fertility suppression when leuprolide is discontinued after continuous administration for up to 24 weeks. Lupron may be used to delay egg release for IVF treatment.

How to use Lupron

Initially, Lupron Depot must be administered under the supervision of a healthcare provider, although some people can be taught how to self-administer it themselves.

Lupron is given either by injection suBCutaneously (under your skin) or into a muscle. The dosing schedule varies depending on the condition being treated

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. Always check your medication to make sure you have received the correct brand and type prescribed by your doctor.

Lupron Depot is injected under the skin or into a muscle, once every month or once every 3 to 6 months. A healthcare provider can teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

Lupron Depot-Ped is given into the muscle every 1,3, or 6 months depending on the dosage.

The 14-day kit is given as a daily subcutaneous injection.

You may need frequent medical tests while using this medicine.

Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose.

Warnings

Do not use Lupron Depot if you are allergic to leuprolide or similar medicines such as buserelin, goserelin, histrelin, or nafarelin, or if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor.

Your symptoms may become temporarily worse when you first start using Lupron Depot. In adults, this may cause transient worsening of symptoms, including the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer, bone pain, or endometriosis during the first few weeks of treatment. In children, there may be a temporary increase in the clinical signs and symptoms of puberty, including vaginal bleeding. Tell your doctor if any increase in symptoms continues for longer than 2 months.

GnRH analogs may be associated with an increased risk of seizures in people with or without a history of predisposing factors, and in children, there is an increased risk of psychiatric events and mood changes, such as emotional lability (eg, crying, irritability, impatience, anger, and aggression). Call your doctor at once if you have a seizure or unusual changes in mood or behavior.

Pseudotumor Cerebri (high pressure inside the skull) has been reported in children receiving GnRH agonists, including Lupron Depot-Ped. Monitor children for headaches, swelling of the optic nerve, and blurred vision.

The risk of developing diabetes is increased in people receiving GnRH analogs. Your doctor will monitor your blood glucose level and manage any changes according to guidelines.

GnRH analogs are associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death, and stroke. Your doctor will monitor you for cardiovascular disease, and heart arrhythmias, and manage according to current clinical practice.

Leuprolide can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

What other drugs will affect Lupron

Leuprolide can cause serious heart problems. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.

Other drugs may interact with leuprolide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

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