What is this medicine?
LEUPROLIDE (loo PROE lide) is a man-made hormone. It is used to treat the symptoms of prostate cancer. This medicine may also be used to treat children with early onset of puberty. It may be used for other hormonal conditions.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 09/2009. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit www.drugstore.com. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.
| Leuprolide Acetate 1MG/0.2ML Kit | EON LABS | 1/$335.97 or 3/$955.89 |
| Lupron 5MG/ML Kit | ABBOTT | 1/$522.25 or 3/$1533.67 |
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- breathing problems
- chest pain
- depression or memory disorders
- pain in your legs or groin
- pain at site where injected
- severe headache
- swelling of the feet and legs
- visual changes
- vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- breast swelling or tenderness
- decrease in sex drive or performance
- diarrhea
- hot flashes
- loss of appetite
- muscle, joint, or bone pains
- nausea
- redness or irritation at site where injected
- skin problems or acne
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is for injection under the skin or into a muscle. You will be taught how to prepare and give this medicine. Use exactly as directed. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
It is important that you put your used needles and syringes in a special sharps container. Do not put them in a trash can. If you do not have a sharps container, call your pharmacist or healthcare provider to get one.
A patient information sheet for the product will be given with each prescription and refill. Read this sheet carefully each time. The sheet may change frequently.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this medicine may be prescribed for children as young as 8 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What may interact with this medicine?Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
- herbal or dietary supplements, like black cohosh or DHEA
- female hormones, like estrogens or progestins and birth control pills, patches, rings, or injections
- male hormones, like testosterone
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
Who should NOT use this medication?
- Known hypersensitivity to GnRH, GnRH analogs, or any ingredient in the respective formulations.
- Known or suspected pregnancy. (See Fetal/Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality under Cautions.)
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding of unknown etiology.
- The 30 mg (4-month) formulation of leuprolide acetate injectable suspension (Lupron Depot®) should not be used in women.
- Formulations of leuprolide acetate injectable suspension (Eligard®) and leuprolide acetate implant (Viadur®) are contraindicated in women and children.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor 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 doctor or health care professional, some of them may improve with continued use of this medicine.
Female patients may experience a menstrual cycle or spotting during the first 2 months of therapy with this medicine. If this continues, contact your doctor or health care professional.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- pain or difficulty passing urine
- spinal cord metastasis
- an unusual or allergic reaction to leuprolide, benzyl alcohol, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
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