Eligard (leuprolide) overstimulates the body"s own production of certain hormones, which causes that production to shut down temporarily. Leuprolide reduces the amount of testosterone in men or estrogen in women.
Eligard is used in men to treat the symptoms of prostate cancer. Eligard treats only the symptoms of prostate cancer and does not treat the cancer itself.
Eligard may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
Certain brands or strengths of leuprolide are used to treat only men and should not be used in women or children.
Eligard can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant.
Before taking this medicine
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.
You should not use Eligard if you are allergic to leuprolide or similar medicines such as buserelin, goserelin, histrelin, nafarelin, or if you have:
To make sure Eligard is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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risk factors for bone loss (personal or family history of osteoporosis, smoking, alcohol use, taking steroid or seizure medicines long term);
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diabetes, high blood pressure, recent weight gain, high cholesterol (especially in men);
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heart disease, congestive heart failure, a history of Long QT syndrome;
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an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood);
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epilepsy;
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asthma;
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migraines;
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kidney disease;
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a history of depression;
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bone cancer affecting your spine;
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blood in your urine; or
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if you are unable to urinate.
Eligard can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
Leuprolide usually causes women to stop ovulating or having menstrual periods. However, you may still be able to get pregnant. Use a barrier form of birth control (condom or diaphragm with spermicide). Hormonal contraception (birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings) may not be effective enough to prevent pregnancy during your treatment.
Because Eligard is expected to cause your menstrual periods to stop, contact your doctor if your periods continue while you are being treated with this medicine.
It is not known whether leuprolide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using Eligard.
How should I use Eligard?
Eligard is injected under the skin or into a muscle. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
Because 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. If you self-inject Eligard at home, always check your medication to make sure you have received the correct brand and type prescribed by your doctor.
Eligard may be given once every month or once every 3, 4 or 6 months, depending on the strength used.
Your symptoms may become temporarily worse as your hormones adjust when you first start using this medication. For best results, keep using the medication as instructed by your doctor. Your condition should eventually improve with continued use of Eligard.
While using Eligard, you may need frequent blood tests. Leuprolide can have long lasting effects on your body and you may also need medical tests for a short time after you stop using this medicine.
Store Lupron in the original carton at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
Store Eligard in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. You may take the medicine out and allow it to reach room temperature before mixing and injecting your dose. After the dose is mixed, you must use the injection within 30 minutes.
Use a disposable needle and syringe only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.
Eligard dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Prostate Cancer:
7.5 mg depot IM or depot subcutaneously once a month or
22.5 mg depot IM once every 3 months or
30 mg depot IM once every 4 months or
45 mg subcutaneous injection every 6 months.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while using Eligard?
Leuprolide can pass into body fluids (including urine, feces, vomit). For at least 48 hours after you receive a dose, avoid allowing your body fluids to come into contact with your hands or other surfaces. Patients and caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from other laundry.
Eligard side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to Eligard: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
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bone pain, loss of movement in any part of your body;
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swelling, rapid weight gain;
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pain, burning, stinging, bruising, or redness where the medication was injected;
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vomiting, confusion, slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, or slow breathing;
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sudden chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, dry cough or hack;
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painful or difficult urination;
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increased thirst or urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin;
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heart attack symptoms--chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating; or
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signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance.
Rare but serious side effects may include:
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pain or unusual sensations in your back, numbness, weakness, or tingly feeling in your legs or feet;
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muscle weakness or loss of use, loss of bowel or bladder control; or
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liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common Eligard side effects may include:
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mood changes, hot flashes, sweating, acne, rash, itching;
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headache, joint pain, back pain, or general pain;
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cold or flu symptoms, weakness, feeling tired, trouble breathing;
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vaginal itching or discharge;
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breakthrough bleeding in a female child during the first weeks of Eligard treatment;
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swelling, bloating, weight gain, problems with urination;
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decreased testicle size;
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redness, burning, stinging, pain, swelling, or oozing where the shot was given.
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 FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Eligard?
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Eligard, especially:
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an antibiotic--azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, pentamidine; anti-malaria medication--chloroquine, halofantrine;
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cancer medicine--arsenic trioxide, vandetanib; heart rhythm medicine--amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, dronedarone, flecainide, ibutilide, quinidine, sotalol; or
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medicine to treat depression or a psychiatric disorder--citalopram, chlorpromazine, escitalopram, haloperidol, pimozide, thioridazine.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with Eligard, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
