Lupron
Generic Name:
Leuprolide acetate
Brand Names:
Lupron, Lupron Depot, Lupron Depot-Ped, Viadur, Eligard
Lupron Description:
Lupron is a leuprolide acetate injection medication used to treat patients with advanced prostate cancer and reduces the level of the hormone testosterone in the body.
Lupron Side Effects:
Side effects of Lupron treatment include the following:
- Weakness
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Breast growth or tenderness
- Decrease in testicle size
- Change in weight
- Hot flashes
- Paralysis or arms or legs
- Itching
- Bloody urine
For more information, see our Lupron side effects page.
Lupron Uses:
Lupron is indicated for palliative treatment in patients with advanced prostate cancer. Palliative treatment is meant for relieving symptoms of disease rather than curing the condition. This type of treatment is usually given to patients with advanced forms of cancer to help patients handle acute pain and other discomforts.
Lupron is used for the management of symptoms of prostate cancer. The Prostate is a small-sized gland found in the male reproductive system. The main symptoms associated with prostate cancer include:
- Frequent urination
- Urinary urgency
- Nocturia or frequent urination during night
- Urinary hesitancy
- Blood in urine
- Loss of bladder control
- Erectile dysfunction (new onset)
- Blood in semen
- Pain in lower back, ribs, and hips
Unfortunately, there is no medication to cure prostate cancer. The treatment method has to be determined depending on the size of tumor. If the tumor is still inside the prostate, patients can be treated with:
- Radical prostatectomy
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Watchful waiting (especially for very old men)
If the tumors have grown beyond the rim of prostate, patients are often treated with hormone replacement therapy.
It has been clinically established that gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues like Lupron can be effectively used for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Lupron can lower the level of male hormone testosterone and hinder the growth of prostate tumors.
Lupron may also be prescribed to women with anemia due to uterine bleeding or endometriosis. It is also prescribed to boys and girls who experience puberty prematurely.
Lupron Interactions:
Prior to beginning treatment with Lupron, patients should inform their medical practitioners if they are taking:
- Aluminum-containing antacids
- Dexamethasone
- Prednisone
- Diuretics
- Methylprednisolone
- Cyclosporine
- Lanthanum carbonate
- Heparin
- Lithium
- Phenothiazines
- Tetracycline
- Sevelamer
- Seizure medications
- Thyroid medications
Patients should also notify their medical practitioner if they have a history of the following medical conditions:
- Cushing’s disease
- Spinal cancer
- Diabetes
- Anorexia nervosa
- High cholesterol
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Malabsorption disease
- Osteoporosis
- Urinary tract obstruction
Lupron Dosage Information:
Typical Dosage Recommendations
Lupron has to be administered through an injection. If the patient is taking Lupron, the dose is a daily subcutaneous 1 mg injection. For Lupron Depot and Lupron Depot-PED, the recommended dose is one injection every month. For Lupron Depot-3, the dose is one injection every three months. The dose of Lupron Depot-4 is one injection every four months.
How to administer the injection:
- Prior to administration, allow the mixed solution to reach room temperature.
- The mixed product has to be used within 30 minutes of mixing.
- Always use the syringe provided with the medication. Other syringes may not give correct dose
- Wipe the injection site with an alcohol swab.
- Using your non-dominant hand, gently pinch up the skin at the injection site.
- With your dominant hand, insert the needle into the pinched up skin at a 90° angle.
- Release the skin from your non-dominant hand
- Gently push the plunger of syringe to inject the medication.
- Slowly remove the needle from skin.
- Discard the used syringes and needle in a biohazard container.
Missing a Dose of Lupron
Lupron must be given by an experienced medical professional, and missing a dose is unlikely. A missed dose will typically result from a missed medical appointment. Contact your medical practitioner if you miss a dose of this medication. Be sure to keep all medical appointments.
Lupron Overdose
Seek medical attention following an overdose of Lupron. Patients who overdose may collapse or stop breathing.
Lupron FDA Approval:
April 9, 1985
Lupron Recall/Black Box Warning Information:
There are no recalls or black box warnings for this medication.
Other Warnings
Patients may experience worsening of symptoms or development of new signs and symptoms during the first few weeks after the initiation of therapy with Lupron. These signs and symptoms include:
- Neuropathy
- Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO)
- Bone pain
- Hematuria
- Ureteral obstruction
- Spinal cord compression and the subsequent paralysis
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