How To Use Lupron Solution
Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using leuprolide and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This medication is given by injection under the skin as directed by your doctor, usually once a day.
In children, the dosage is based on weight and response to treatment. The doctor should consider stopping treatment before age 11 for girls and age 12 for boys. Consult the doctor for details.
If you are using this medication at home, learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional and the product package. Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely.
Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Before injecting each dose, clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol. Change the injection site each time to lessen injury under the skin.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day.
During the first few weeks of treatment, your hormone levels will actually go up before they go down. This is a normal response to this medication. Your symptoms may get worse for a few weeks.
Use And Important Safety Information You Should Know About Lupron Depotped
Use for LUPRON DEPOT-PED®
LUPRON DEPOTPED 7.5 mg, 11.25 mg, and 15 mg for 1month and 11.25 mg and 30 mg for 3month administration are prescribed for the treatment of children with central precocious puberty .
Doctors may diagnose children with CPP when signs of sexual maturity begin to develop in girls under the age of 8 or boys under the age of 9. Your doctor should perform tests to rule out possible causes of early puberty that would require different treatment .
It is not known if LUPRON DEPOTPED is safe and effective in children under 2 years of age.
Important Safety Information for LUPRON DEPOTPED
What is the most important information I should know about LUPRON DEPOTPED?
- During the first 2 to 4 weeks of treatment, LUPRON DEPOTPED can cause an increase in some hormones. During this time, you may notice more signs of puberty in your child, including vaginal bleeding.
- Some people taking gonadotropinreleasing hormone agonists like LUPRON DEPOTPED have had new or worsened mental problems. Mental problems may include emotional symptoms such as:
- Crying
- Anger
- Acting aggressive
- Some people taking GnRH agonists like LUPRON DEPOTPED have had seizures. The risk of seizures may be higher in people who:
- Have a history of seizures
- Have a history of epilepsy
- Have a history of brain or brain vessel problems or tumors
- Are taking a medicine that has been connected to seizures, such as bupropion or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Eligard Vs Lupron Depot: Which Is More Effective Against Prostate Cancer
There isnt much research available comparing these medications directly. But we can look at how well each medication lowers testosterone levels.
The goal with medications like leuprolide is to lower testosterone levels below 50 ng/dL. In Eligards clinical trials, over 94% of participants achieved this goal within about a month of their first injection. Similarly, about 94% of people in Lupron Depots clinical trials reached the goal level within the first month.
Based on this information, we can say Eligard and Lupron Depot are comparable.
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Use And Important Safety Information You Should Know About Lupron Depot
Use
- LUPRON DEPOT® 7.5 mg for 1month, 22.5 mg for 3month, 30 mg for 4month, and 45 mg for 6month administration are prescribed for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer.
- LUPRON DEPOT is a prescription medication that must be administered in your doctors office.
Important Safety Information
- LUPRON DEPOT is not for people who have had any type of allergic reaction to LUPRON DEPOT or similar drugs.
- LUPRON DEPOT causes an increase in testosterone during the first few weeks of therapy.
- Some men may experience temporary new or worsening symptoms of prostate cancer, including urinary symptoms and/or bone pain.
- If your cancer has spread to the spine or urinary tract, urinary blockage or pressure on the spine may occur and can sometimes lead to paralysis, which may be lifethreatening.
- You may require close medical attention during the first few weeks of therapy. Notify your doctor if you develop any new or worsened symptoms after beginning LUPRON DEPOT treatment.
What Types Of Hormone Therapy Are Used For Prostate Cancer
Hormone therapy for prostate cancer can block the production or use of androgens . Currently available treatments can do so in several ways:
- reducing androgen production by the testicles
- blocking the action of androgens throughout the body
- block androgen production throughout the body
Treatments that reduce androgen production by the testicles are the most commonly used hormone therapies for prostate cancer and the first type of hormone therapy that most men with prostate cancer receive. This form of hormone therapy includes:
Treatments that block the action of androgens in the body are typically used when ADT stops working. Such treatments include:
Treatments that block the production of androgens throughout the body include:
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How Does The Administration Of Leuprolide Affect Prostate Cancer Treatment
Testosterone is one of the sex hormones in the human body. Its especially important for the reproductive health of those assigned male at birth. Testosterone helps the prostate grow and mature. But prostate cancer cells can also use testosterone to grow. Thats where leuprolide can come in.
Leuprolide belongs to a medication class called gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists. GnRH agonists are sometimes luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists. These are the same thing.
These medications work by lowering the amount of testosterone the body makes. This cuts off the testosterone supply to the cancer cells.
For the first few weeks, leuprolide can actually raise testosterone levels. This is called a testosterone flare. This is a normal reaction while the body adjusts to the medication. Symptoms may worsen during the flare, but they tend to go away after a few weeks.
To combat a flare, healthcare providers can temporarily prescribe a medication to block testosterones effects. These antiandrogen medications can help prevent symptoms from worsening. Sometimes these are also called testosterone blockers. Once the testosterone flare is over, your provider will usually recommend that you stop taking the testosterone blocker.
Experts recommend using leuprolide for advanced prostate cancer that uses testosterone to grow. Leuprolide can help relieve pain and other symptoms when the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. This is also called metastatic prostate cancer.
How Might Hormone Therapy Make Me Feel
Hormone therapy itself can affect your mood. You may find that you feel more emotional than usual or just different to how you felt before. Some men find that they cry a lot. You may also get mood swings, such as getting tearful and then angry. Just knowing that these feelings are caused by hormone therapy can help.
Everyones different some men are surprised by the side effects and how upsetting they find them. Others have fewer symptoms or are not as worried by them.
Some of the other side effects of hormone therapy are hard to come to terms with. Physical changes, such as putting on weight, or changes to your sex life, might make you feel very different about yourself. Some men say they feel less masculine because of their diagnosis and treatment.
If youre starting hormone therapy very soon after being diagnosed with prostate cancer, you might still feel upset, shocked, frightened or angry about having cancer. These feelings are normal, and it’s okay to feel this way.
Things in your day-to-day life can change because of the hormone therapy. Your relationships with your partner, family and friends might change. Or you might be too tired to do some of the things you used to do.
Some men experience low moods, anxiety or depression. This could be directly caused by the hormone therapy itself, or because you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer. It could also be due to the impact that treatment is having on you and your family.
What can help?
Talking about it
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What Are Possible Side Effects
Multiple clinical trials evaluated the safety and efficacy of leuprolide. The side effects of leuprolide vary slightly with the brand taken and way received, however possible side effects may include GI disorders, joint disorders, general pain, swelling, respiratory disorders, headache, hot flashes, fatigue, urinary problems, and shrinking of the testicles. Injection site reactions are also possible while receiving leuprolide. These are not all the possible side effects of leuprolide. Talk to your doctor about what to expect or if you experience any changes that concern you during treatment with leuprolide.
Is The Cost Of Eligard Vs Lupron Depot The Same
Both Eligard and Lupron Depot are expensive, and neither has a generic available. Even with a GoodRx coupon, an Eligard dose ranges from about $475 to $3,500, depending on the strength. Lupron Depot can cost $2,000 or more per dose without insurance.
Its possible your insurance may prefer one brand over the other. Be sure to contact your insurance provider for details on this. The manufacturers of Eligard and Lupron Depot both have financial assistance resources on their website to help you afford the cost of your medication.
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Treatment To Lower Androgen Levels From The Adrenal Glands
LHRH agonists and antagonists can stop the testicles from making androgens, but cells in other parts of the body, such as the adrenal glands, and prostate cancer cells themselves, can still make male hormones, which can fuel cancer growth. Drugs are available that block the formation of androgens made by these cells.
Abiraterone blocks an enzyme called CYP17, which helps stop these cells from making androgens.
Abiraterone can be used in men with advanced prostate cancer that is either:
- High risk
- Castrate-resistant
This drug is taken as pills every day. It doesnt stop the testicles from making testosterone, so men who havent had an orchiectomy need to continue treatment with an LHRH agonist or antagonist. Because abiraterone also lowers the level of some other hormones in the body, prednisone needs to be taken during treatment as well to avoid certain side effects.
Ketoconazole , first used for treating fungal infections, also blocks production of androgens made in the adrenal glands, much like abiraterone. It’s most often used to treat men just diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer who have a lot of cancer in the body, as it offers a quick way to lower testosterone levels. It can also be tried if other forms of hormone therapy are no longer working.
Ketoconazole also can block the production of cortisol, an important steroid hormone in the body, so men treated with this drug often need to take a corticosteroid .
Spinal Cord And Urinary Tract Problems
- Risk factors: History of spine problems | History of urinary tract problems
There are some cases of spinal cord compression, or pressure on the spinal cord, that has caused paralysis . Also, people who have a history of urinary tract problems can get a blockage in their urinary tract. This can lead to kidney damage. Talk to your healthcare provider about your medical history before starting Lupron Depot .
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Types Of Hormone Therapy
The table at the right provides an overview of three commonly used types of hormone therapy. These and others are discussed below. While hormone therapy is commonly used, side effects of the treatment are reported as well. They range from erectile dysfunction, hot flashes, weight gain and loss of bone density.
Can I Take Lupron If Im Pregnant Or Breastfeeding
Leuprolide can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Leuprolide usually causes women to stop ovulating or having menstrual periods. However, you may still be able to get pregnant. Use a condom or diaphragm with spermicide to prevent pregnancy. Leuprolide can make hormonal birth control less effective .
You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
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Does Lupron Cause Side Effects
Lupron is a man-made hormone used to treat prostate cancer, endometriosis, central precocious puberty , and fibroids. It is similar to but stronger than human gonadotropin releasing hormone .
GnRH is made in the hypothalamus and travels to the pituitary gland where it causes the production of luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone . LH and FSH are released by the pituitary into the blood and stimulate the production of testosterone by the testes in men and estrogens by the ovaries in women.
The release of GnRH, LH and FSH is governed by negative feedback which means that when there is too much testosterone or estrogen being produced, the body sends a signal to the pituitary gland to reduce the production of GnRH which, in turn reduces the production of LH and FSH.
This results in reduced production of testosterone and estrogen. When given continuously, Lupron initially increases the production of LH and FSH as well as testosterone and estrogen however, after a few weeks of continuous Lupron, the levels of LH and FSH drop because the pituitary gland stops responding to GnRH and leuprolide.
This leads to a decrease in the production of estrogen and testosterone. Testosterone promotes the growth of prostate cancer. Lupron is used in treating prostate cancer to slow the growth of the cancer.
In children with central precocious puberty Lupron, by suppressing LH and FSH, reduces the levels of estrogen and testosterone and allows for more normal timing of puberty.
What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About Lupron
You should not use this medicine 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.
Leuprolide can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
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.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- depression, mental illness or psychosis
- seizures or epilepsy
- a brain tumor or spinal cord injury
- heart disease, congestive heart failure, long QT syndrome
- an electrolyte imbalance or
- risk factors for bone loss .
Do not give this medicine to any child without medical advice.
Leuprolide usually causes women to stop ovulating or having menstrual periods. However, you may still be able to get pregnant. Use a condom or diaphragm with spermicide to prevent pregnancy. Leuprolide can make hormonal birth control less effective .
You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
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How Effective Is It For The Treatment Of Prostate Cancer
Male hormones give prostate cancer cells the fuel they need to grow and spread. The goal of hormone treatments, such as Lupron, is to deprive cancer cells of this fuel to slow disease progression. That said, Lupron is not a cure for prostate cancer. Rather, it works to slow down the growth and spread of the cancer.
Lupron can be used to treat any stage of prostate cancer, but its usually used for recurrent or advanced cancers. In men with early-stage prostate cancer who dont want surgery or radiation, there is no evidence that hormone therapy is more effective than watchful waiting or active surveillance, according to the American Cancer Society.
Table : Boosting The Effectiveness Of Radiation Therapy
A randomized controlled study involving 206 men with early-stage prostate cancer evaluated whether adding six months of hormone therapy to external-beam radiation treatment would boost both overall survival and disease-free survival . The results are given below. The same research group found, in an earlier study, that the addition of hormone therapy was of most benefit to men who were considered at moderate or high risk, based on their clinical profile.
Five-year follow-up 82% Source: Journal of the American Medical Association, 2004 292:8217. PMID: 15315996.
Combined with radiation therapy. A number of studies have shown that men with early-stage prostate cancer are more likely to be cured when hormone therapy is given in conjunction with radiation therapy . Even when the disease is regionally advanced, meaning that it has progressed to tissues immediately surrounding the prostate gland, neoadjuvant hormone therapy reduces risk of progression and relapse .
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Whats The Typical Dosage
Hormone therapy can be used alone or in combination with other therapies. It may also be used before or after other therapies.
Lupron is administered by injection. The dosage will vary according to your particular situation. Here are some typical dosage options your doctor may prescribe:
- 1 mg once per day, varying the injection site
- 7.5 mg every 4 weeks
- 22.5 mg every 12 weeks
- 30 mg every 16 weeks
- 45 mg every 24 weeks
If you stop taking Lupron, youll start producing testosterone again.
You will experience some changes when your hormone levels fluctuate or have a substantial drop. Its a good idea to talk about this in advance so youre not caught off guard.
Consider asking some of these questions when you consult with your doctor:
- Why do you recommend treatment with Lupron?
- How often will I have to take the drug?
- Will I administer it myself or will I need to come in to the clinic?
- How often will we test to see if its working?
- How long will I have to take it?
- What should I do if I miss a dose or if I stop taking it?
- What are the potential side effects, and can we do anything about them?
- Are there any other medications, supplements, or foods I should avoid while taking Lupron?
- If it doesnt work, what are the next steps?
According to the American Cancer Society, the relative five-year survival rates for men with prostate cancer, compared to men without the disease, are:
Your doctor can give you an idea what to expect from your treatment with Lupron.