Lupron

Pronunciation: LOO-proe-lide
Generic Name: Leuprolide
Brand Name: Lupron

Lupron is used for:

Treating symptoms of advanced prostate cancer. It is also used to treat premature development of secondary sexual characteristics in children. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Lupron is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. It works by decreasing levels of certain hormones produced by the testes and ovaries and preventing the growth of certain tumors that need these hormones to grow.

Do NOT use Lupron if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Lupron, to GnRH, or to another GnRH agonist (eg, histrelin)


• you are pregnant, able to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Lupron:

Some medical conditions may interact with Lupron. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a history of diabetes or high blood sugar, urinary problems (eg, a blockage of the bladder or ureters), spinal cord problems, abnormal growths on or near the spinal cord, a certain type of irregular heartbeat (congenital long QT syndrome) or other heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure), blood vessel problems, or a stroke


• if you have bone problems (eg, weak bones, osteoporosis) or if a family member has had bone problems


• if you have blood electrolyte problems (eg, low blood magnesium or potassium levels)


• if you are taking medicines that can weaken the bones, such as anticonvulsants (eg, phenytoin) or corticosteroids (eg, prednisone)


• if you take any medicine that may increase the risk of a certain type of irregular heartbeat (prolonged QT interval). Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure if any of your medicines may increase the risk of this type of irregular heartbeat

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Lupron. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following: Antiarrhythmic medicines (eg, amiodarone, quinidine, sotalol) because they may increase the risk of a certain type of irregular heartbeat (prolonged QT interval)

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Lupron may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Lupron:

Use Lupron as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Lupron. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.


• Lupron is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Lupron at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Lupron. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.


• Do not use Lupron if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.


• If you miss a dose of Lupron, contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Lupron.

Important safety information:

• Certain hormone levels may increase during the first few weeks of treatment with Lupron. This may cause you to experience worsening symptoms or onset of new symptoms (eg, bone pain; blood in the urine; difficulty urinating; burning, numbness, or tingling) during the first few weeks of treatment. Patients with growths on or near the spine or spinal cord, or a blockage of the bladder or ureters may be at greater risk of developing serious and sometimes fatal complications. Contact your doctor if any new or worsened symptoms occur while using Lupron.


• Lupron lowers the amount of certain hormones in your body. This may result in certain effects, such as changes in breast size, breast soreness or tenderness, testicular changes, decreased sexual ability, hot flashes, or night sweats. Contact your doctor if you have questions or concerns or if you experience any of these side effects.


• Lupron may cause your bones to weaken (decreased bone density) or become more prone to fractures, especially if you use it for a long time. Contact your doctor if you notice bone pain or if you have questions or concerns.


• A slight increase in the risk of stroke or serious and sometimes fatal heart problems has been reported with the use of GnRH agonists in men. Although the risk appears to be low, seek immediate medical attention if you experience chest, jaw, or left arm pain; confusion; fainting; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; slurred speech; sudden, severe headache or vomiting; or vision changes. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.


• A serious pituitary gland problem (pituitary apoplexy) has rarely been reported with the use of Lupron. Most cases developed within 2 weeks after the first dose. Contact your doctor right away if you experience a sudden headache, vomiting, fainting, mental or mood changes, eye weakness, inability to move your eyes, or vision changes.


• High blood sugar and an increased risk of the development of diabetes has been reported in men who use GnRH agonists. Patients who already have diabetes may develop trouble controlling their blood sugar. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away.


• Diabetes patients - Lupron may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.


• Lupron may interfere with certain lab tests, including certain hormone and pituitary gland function tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are using Lupron.


• Lab tests, including blood testosterone levels, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), hemoglobin A_1c, blood glucose, and bone density, may be performed while you use Lupron. These tests may be used to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Lupron if you are pregnant. It may cause birth defects, or fetal or newborn death if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Lupron is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while using Lupron.

Possible side effects of Lupron:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; dizziness; general body pain; headache; hot flashes; loss of appetite; nausea or vomiting; stuffy nose; trouble sleeping; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; blood in the urine; burning, numbness, tingling, or weakness; decreased hearing; fainting; fever; mood or mental changes (eg, depression); new or worsening bone pain; paralysis; redness or hardening of the skin at the injection site; seizures; severe dizziness or light-headedness; severe drowsiness; severe headache; shortness of breath or cough; slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat; sweating; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; symptoms of heart attack (eg, chest, jaw, or left arm pain; numbness of an arm or leg; sudden, severe headache or vomiting; vision changes); symptoms of high blood sugar (eg, drowsiness; fast breathing; flushing; fruit-like breath odor; increased thirst, hunger, or urination); symptoms of stroke (eg, confusion, one-sided weakness, slurred speech, vision changes); unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual stomach pain; urination problems (eg, trouble urinating, inability to urinate, painful urination); vision changes or blurred vision; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Lupron side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Lupron:

Store Lupron below 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Store in original packaging until just before use. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Lupron out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Lupron, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Lupron is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Lupron. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Lupron resources

• Lupron Side Effects (in more detail)
• Lupron Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Lupron Drug Interactions
• Lupron Support Group
• 12 Reviews for Lupron - Add your own review/rating

• Lupron Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Lupron Consumer Overview


• Leuprolide Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Eligard Consumer Overview


• Eligard Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Leuprolide Acetate Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Lupron Depot Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Lupron Depot-PED Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Viadur Prescribing Information (FDA)

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