The following information is a summary about Lupron. It is not intended to replace a doctor's instructions.
About your Lupron treatment
Your doctor has ordered the drug Lupron/leuprolide to help treat your illness. The Lupron drug can be injected into a muscle or under the skin once a month or every 3 months. Lupron also can be injected daily under the skin. The long-acting form of Lupron/leuprolide (given once a month or every 3 months) is slowly released into the bloodstream during that period.
This Lupron medication is used to treat:
prostate cancer in men
endometriosis in women
early onset of puberty in children
uterine fibroids in women
This Lupronmedication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or Lupron pharmacist for more Lupron information.
Lupron/Leuprolide is in a class of drugs known as gonadotropin-releasing (LH-RH) hormone analogs. Lupron stops the production of testosterone in men and estrogen in females. Blocking the production of these hormones with Lupron is desirable because they stimulate the growth of the diseased cells involved in prostate cancer and endometriosis. When the Lupron medication is stopped, these hormone levels return to normal.
Lupron Precautions
Before taking Lupron/leuprolide,
tell your doctor and Lupron pharmacist if you are allergic to Lupron/leuprolide or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and Lupron pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially aspirin and vitamins.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had abnormal vaginal bleeding or liver disease.
you should know that Lupron/leuprolide may interfere with the normal menstrual cycle (period) in women and may stop sperm production in men. Amenorrhea (stopping of the monthly menstrual cycle) and vaginal discharge or bleeding may occur with leuprolide therapy. This effect occurs in women who receive 10 weeks or more of therapy and have not been through menopause. However, you should not assume that you cannot get pregnant or that you cannot get someone else pregnant. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should tell their doctors before they begin taking this drug. You should not plan to have children while receiving hormone therapy or for a while after treatments. (Talk to your doctor for further details.) Use a reliable method of birth control to prevent pregnancy. Lupron/Leuprolide may harm the fetus.
Lupron Side Effects
Although side effects from Lupron/leuprolide are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these Lupron symptoms are severe or do not go away:
hot flashes or sudden sweating
night sweats
blurred vision
nausea
breast tenderness
decrease in sexual desire or ability
decrease in appetite
itching, swelling, and redness at injection site
numbness or tingling of the feet or lower legs
constipation
anxiety
unstable mood
If you experience any of the following Lupron symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
vomiting
rapid heartbeat
chest pain
breathing difficulties
fever
chills
painful urination
testicular or prostate pain
pain in the legs or groin
What should I do if I forget a Lupron dose?
Take the missed Lupron dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next Lupron dose, skip the missed Lupron dose and continue your regular Lupron dosing schedule. Do not take a double Lupron dose to make up for a missed one.
Other uses for this Lupron medicine
This Lupron medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more Lupron information.
What other Lupron information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests before and during treatment to check your response to Lupron.
Do not let anyone else take your Lupron medication. Ask your Lupron pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your Lupron prescription.
In case of Lupron emergency/overdose
In case of Lupron overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
What storage conditions are needed for Lupron?
Keep Lupron in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store Lupron at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any Lupron medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your Lupron medication.
