lupron

Lupron (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.

Lupron is used in men to treat the symptoms of prostate cancer.

Lupron treats only the symptoms of prostate cancer and does not treat the cancer itself.

Important information

Certain brands or strengths of leuprolide are used to treat only men and should not be used in women or children.

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

You should not breast-feed while you are using Lupron.

You should not use Lupron if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been diagnosed by a doctor.

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 prescribed by your doctor. Ask the pharmacist if you have any questions about the medicine you receive at the pharmacy.

You should not use Lupron if you are allergic to leuprolide or similar medicines such as buserelin, goserelin, histrelin, nafarelin, or if you have:

• abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor; or

• if you are pregnant.

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

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

• diabetes, high blood pressure, recent weight gain, high cholesterol (especially in men);

• heart disease, congestive heart failure, a history of Long QT syndrome;

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

• epilepsy;

• asthma;

• migraines;

• kidney disease;

• a history of depression;

• bone cancer affecting your spine;

• blood in your urine; or

• if you are unable to urinate.

Leuprolide 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 Leuprolide 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 this medicine.

How should I use Lupron?

Lupron is injected under the skin or into a muscle. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject Lupron if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.

Lupron comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

The recommended dose of Lupron is 1 mg (0.2 mL or 20 unit mark) administered as a single daily subcutaneous injection. The injection site should be varied regularly.

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• If using a new bottle of Lupron for the first time, flip off the plastic cover to expose the grey rubber stopper. Wipe metal ring and rubber stopper with an alcohol wipe each time you use Lupron. Check the liquid in the container. If it is not clear or has particles in it, DO NOT USE IT.
• Remove outer wrapping from one syringe. Pull plunger back until the tip of the plunger is at the 0.2 mL or 20 unit mark.
• Take cover off needle. Push the needle through the center of the rubber stopper on the Lupron bottle.
• Push the plunger all the way in to inject air into the bottle.
• Keep the needle in the bottle and turn the bottle upside down. Check to make sure the tip of the needle is in the liquid. Slowly pull back on the plunger, until the syringe fills to the 0.2 mL or 20 unit mark.
• Toward the end of a two-week period, the amount of Lupron left in the bottle will be small. Take special care to hold the bottle straight and to keep the needle tip in liquid while pulling back on the plunger.
• Keeping the needle in the bottle and the bottle upside down, check for air bubbles in the syringe. If you see any, push the plunger slowly in to push the air bubble back into the bottle. Keep the tip of the needle in the liquid and pull the plunger back again to fill to the 0.2 mL or 20 unit mark.
• Do this again if necessary to eliminate air bubbles.
• To protect your skin, inject each daily dose of Lupron at a different body spot.
• Choose an injection spot. Cleanse the injection spot with another alcohol wipe.
• Hold the syringe in one hand. Hold the skin taut, or pull up a little flesh with the other hand, as you were instructed.
• Holding the syringe as you would a pencil, thrust the needle all the way into the skin at a 90° angle. Push the plunger to administer the injection.
• Hold an alcohol wipe down on your skin where the needle is inserted and withdraw the needle at the same angle it was inserted.
• Use the disposable syringe only once and dispose of it properly as you were instructed. Needles thrown into a garbage bag could accidentally stick someone. NEVER LEAVE SYRINGES, NEEDLES OR DRUGS WHERE CHILDREN CAN REACH THEM.

Your symptoms may become temporarily worse as your hormones adjust when you first start using Lupron. For best results, keep using the medication as instructed by your doctor. Your condition should eventually improve with continued use of leuprolide.

While using Lupron , you may need frequent blood tests at your doctor"s office. Lupron can have long lasting effects on your body. You may also need medical tests for a short time after you stop using this medication.

Store Lupron in the original carton at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

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.

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 Lupron?

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.

Lupron side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to Lupron: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• bone pain, loss of movement in any part of your body;

• swelling, rapid weight gain;

• pain, burning, stinging, bruising, or redness where the medication was injected;

• vomiting, confusion, slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, or slow breathing;

• sudden chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, dry cough or hack;

• painful or difficult urination;

• increased thirst or urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin;

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

• 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:

• pain or unusual sensations in your back, numbness, weakness, or tingly feeling in your legs or feet;

• muscle weakness or loss of use, loss of bowel or bladder control; or

• 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 Lupron side effects may include:

• mood changes, hot flashes, sweating, acne, rash, itching;

• headache, joint pain, back pain, or general pain;

• cold or flu symptoms, weakness, feeling tired, trouble breathing;

• vaginal itching or discharge;

• breakthrough bleeding in a female child during the first weeks of Lupron treatment;

• swelling, bloating, weight gain, problems with urination;

• decreased testicle size;

• 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 Lupron?

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Lupron, especially:

• an antibiotic - azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, pentamidine; anti-malaria medication - chloroquine, halofantrine;

• cancer medicine - arsenic trioxide, vandetanib; heart rhythm medicine - amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, dronedarone, flecainide, ibutilide, quinidine, sotalol; or

• medicine to treat depression or a psychiatric disorder - citalopram, chlorpromazine, escitalopram, haloperidol, pimozide, thioridazine.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with leuprolide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.