Leuprolide depot injection

What is leuprolide depot injection?

LEUPROLIDE (Lupron®) is a man-made protein that is like a natural hormone in the body called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Regular injections of leuprolide decrease the levels of testosterone in men and estrogen in women. Certain diseases such as prostate cancer and endometriosis may respond to leuprolide. Leuprolide may also be used for the treatment of early sexual maturity in children (precocious puberty). Generic leuprolide depot injections are not yet available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive leuprolide?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions (some only apply to women):

• menstrual bleeding problems

• osteoporosis

• pain or difficulty passing urine

• spinal cord metastasis

• vaginal bleeding

• an unusual or allergic reaction to leuprolide, benzyl alcohol, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Leuprolide depot is for injection into a muscle. It is only administered under the supervision of a prescriber or health care professional.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

It is important not to miss a dose. Call your prescriber or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.

What drug(s) may interact with leuprolide?

• cimetidine

• herbal or dietary supplements, like black cohosh, chasteberry, or DHEA

• female hormones, like estrogen

• male hormones, like testosterone

• methyldopa

• metoclopramide

• prasterone

• some medicines for mood or mental problems

• reserpine

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking leuprolide?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. During the first week, your symptoms may get worse, but then will improve as you continue your treatment. You may get hot flashes, increased bone pain, increased difficulty passing urine, or an aggravation of nerve symptoms. Discuss these effects with your prescriber or health care professional, some of them may improve with continued use of leuprolide. Check with your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks.

What side effects may I notice from receiving leuprolide?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• depression or memory disorders

• difficulty breathing

• chest pain

• pain in your legs or groin

• pain at the injection site

• severe headache

• visual changes

• vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• breast swelling or tenderness

• decreased sexual desire or ability (impotence)

• diarrhea

• dizziness or drowsiness

• hot flashes (sudden feelings of warmth or sweating)

• loss of appetite

• muscle and joint, or bone pains

• nausea

• redness or irritation at the injection site

• skin problems (acne)

• swelling of the feet and legs

Where can I keep my medicine?

This medicine is given by a health care professional in a clinic or office setting. You will not need to take this medicine at home.

Leuprolide implant

What is leuprolide implant?

LEUPROLIDE implant (Viadur™) is a device that releases a continual dose of a drug that is like a natural hormone in the body called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Regular injections of leuprolide decrease the levels of testosterone in men. Certain diseases such as prostate cancer may respond to leuprolide. Generic leuprolide implants are not available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive leuprolide implant?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• osteoporosis

• pain or difficulty passing urine

• spinal cord metastasis

• an unusual or allergic reaction to leuprolide, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

How should I use this medicine?

The leuprolide implant is placed under your skin by a health care professional in a clinic or office. The implant slowly releases leuprolide into your body for a full year. The implant may be replaced after one year.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply. If you will need to continue leuprolide therapy, you will need to make an appointment to have the implant removed and replaced at one-years time.

What drug(s) may interact with leuprolide?

• cimetidine

• herbal or dietary supplements, like black cohosh, chasteberry, or DHEA

• female hormones, like estrogen

• male hormones, like testosterone

• methyldopa

• metoclopramide

• prasterone

• some medicines for mood or mental problems

• reserpine

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines that you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking leuprolide implant?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. During the first week your symptoms may get worse, but then will improve as you continue your treatment. You may get hot flashes, increased bone pain, increased difficulty passing urine, or an aggravation of nerve symptoms. Discuss these effects with your prescriber or health care professional, some of them may improve with continued use of leuprolide.

What side effects may I notice from receiving leuprolide implant?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• difficulty breathing

• chest pain

• pain in your legs or groin

• pain at the injection site

• severe headache

• visual changes

• vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• breast swelling or tenderness

• decreased sexual desire or ability (impotence)

• diarrhea

• dizziness or drowsiness

• hot flashes (sudden feelings of warmth or sweating)

• loss of appetite

• muscle and joint, or bone pains

• nausea

• redness or irritation at the injection site

• skin problems (acne)

• swelling of the feet and legs

Where can I keep my medicine?

This does not apply. The implants are only inserted in an office or clinic setting.

Leuprolide injection

What is leuprolide injection?

LEUPROLIDE (Lupron®, Eligard™) is a man-made protein that is like a natural hormone in the body called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Regular injections of leuprolide decrease the levels of testosterone in men and estrogen in women. Certain diseases such as prostate cancer and endometriosis may respond to leuprolide. Generic leuprolide injections are available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive leuprolide?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions (some only apply to women):

• menstrual bleeding problems

• osteoporosis

• pain or difficulty passing urine

• spinal cord metastasis

• vaginal bleeding

• an unusual or allergic reaction to leuprolide, benzyl alcohol, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Leuprolide is for self-injection under the skin. Use exactly as directed by your prescriber or health care professional. Leuprolide comes with patient instructions. Read them carefully before beginning treatment. Use the syringes provided in the kit. Do not reuse syringes. Dispose of syringes in a puncture-proof container.

Do not stop using except on your prescriber's advice, even if you feel better. You need an injection of leuprolide every day to keep feeling better.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If you forget until the next day, skip the missed dose and continue with your schedule. Do not use double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with leuprolide?

• cimetidine

• herbal or dietary supplements, like black cohosh, chasteberry, or DHEA

• female hormones, like estrogen

• male hormones, like testosterone

• methyldopa

• metoclopramide

• prasterone

• some medicines for mood or mental problems

• reserpine

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking leuprolide?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. During the first week, your symptoms may get worse, but then will improve as you continue your treatment. You may get hot flashes, increased bone pain, increased difficulty passing urine, or an aggravation of nerve symptoms. Discuss these effects with your prescriber or health care professional, some of them may improve with continued use of leuprolide.

Keep the injection bottle straight and make sure the needle tip is in the liquid when drawing the solution into the syringe. You must not use the injection if there is air in the syringe.

Make sure you receive a puncture-resistant container to dispose of the needles and syringes once you have finished with them. Do not reuse these items. Return the container to your prescriber or health care professional for proper disposal.

What side effects may I notice from receiving leuprolide?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• depression or memory disorders

• difficulty breathing

• chest pain

• pain in your legs or groin

• pain at the injection site

• severe headache

• visual changes

• vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• breast swelling or tenderness

• decreased sexual desire or ability (impotence)

• diarrhea

• dizziness or drowsiness

• hot flashes (sudden feelings of warmth or sweating)

• loss of appetite

• muscle and joint, or bone pains

• nausea

• redness or irritation at the injection site

• skin problems (acne)

• swelling of the feet and legs

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature, approximately 25 degrees C (77 degrees F); do not freeze. Protect from light. Do not store near a radiator or other very warm place. Do not use the injection solution if it is not clear or if there are particles present. Return it to the pharmacy. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.