Leuprolide Injectable Suspension

Leuprolide is an injected drug used to decrease symptoms of advanced prostate cancer in men. It’s used to treat endometriosis and uterine fibroids in women. It’s also used to treat central precocious puberty (CPP). This condition causes children to enter puberty earlier than normal.

Common side effects include hot flashes, sweating, tiredness, headache, acne, general body aches and pain, skin rash, weight gain, mood changes, decreased sex drive (libido), and breast tenderness or size changes.

Leuprolide is given as an injection into your muscle or under your skin. You may be able to take some forms of leuprolide at home, but others are only given in a doctor’s office. 

If your leuprolide needs to be given in the doctor’s office, you should go to all of your appointments. It’s important to stick to the schedule your doctor prescribes for this medicine to work.

You shouldn’t use leuprolide if you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It can harm your unborn baby. Ask your doctor about effective birth control options.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

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What is leuprolide?

Leuprolide  is a prescription drug. It’s available in these forms: injectable solution and injectable suspension, which is only given by a healthcare provider. You may be able to take the injectable solution form at home.

This drug may be used as part of a combination therapy. That means you need to take it with other drugs.

Why it's used

Leuprolide have several uses.

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How it works

Leuprolide belongs to a drug class called gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog.

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More Common Side Effects

The adult side effects for this drug are slightly different from the side effects for children.

• Some of the more common side effects of taking this drug include:

  • hot flashes or sweating
  • tiredness
  • headache
  • muscle and joint pain
  • acne
  • mood changes, such as depression or emotion changes
  • weight changes
  • burning, itching, swelling, or redness at the injection site
  • discharge, itching, or pain in the vagina (vaginitis) in females
  • vaginal spotting (bleeding) or menstrual period in females

• Adults may also experience:

  • decrease in the size of your testicles (testicular atrophy) in men
  • decreased sex drive (libido)
  • breast changes, such as pain, tenderness, or size changes
  • swelling of your hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
  • pain, burning, or tingling in your hands or feet
  • flu-like symptoms, such as fever and body aches
  • nervousness
  • trouble remembering things

• Children may also experience:

  • skin rash
  • skin irritation at the injection site. Symptoms include:
    • redness, itching, and pain
    • headache
    • acne
    • mood changes (being more emotional)

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious Side Effects

If you experience any of these serious side effects, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are potentially life-threatening or if you think you’re experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.

• Changes in bone density. This raises your risk for bone fractures or osteoporosis.

• Pituitary problems. Leuprolide may damage your pituitary gland, which produces hormones. Symptoms may include:

  • sudden headache
  • vomiting
  • changes in your vision or problems moving your eyes
  • confusion

• Seizures

• Loss of your ability to move (paralysis) due to the tumor increasing in size

• Heart problems, such as:

  • heart attack. Symptoms include:
    • squeezing pain in your chest
    • shortness of breath
    • pain that moves to your arms or back
  • stroke. Symptoms include:
    • severe headache
    • sudden weakness or numbness (especially on one side of your body)
    • confusion
    • changes in your vision
    • trouble speaking

• High blood sugar and diabetes. Symptoms include:

  • feeing very hungry
  • feeling very thirsty
  • needing to urinate often
  • blurry vision
  • tiredness
  • cuts that take longer to heal

• Depression. Symptoms include:

  • changes in your mood
  • feeling extremely sad
  • feeling worthless
  • sleeping more or less than usual

• Trouble remembering things

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Leuprolide can interact with other medications, herbs, or vitamins you might be taking. Your healthcare provider will look out for interactions with your current medications. Always be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, herbs, or vitamins you’re taking.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking. Leuprolide warnings

People with seizures

Let your doctor know if you have a history of seizures. Leuprolide can make your condition worse.

People with depression

Let your doctor know if you have a history of depression. Leuprolide can make your symptoms of depression worse.

People with metastasized cancer

If you’re taking this drug for prostate cancer and your cancer has spread to your spine or urinary tract, your doctor should monitor you carefully. During the first two weeks of treatment, your testosterone levels may temporarily increase. This may make your symptoms worse and may even be fatal. You may have more bone pain, trouble urinating, tingling or numbness in your hands or feet, or weakness or paralysis.

People with osteoporosis

Leuprolide can decrease your bone density and raise your risk for bone fractures.

People with heart problems

Let your doctor know if you have a history of heart disease.  Leuprolide can cause a heart attack or stroke. This can be fatal. Your doctor will monitor you more carefully.

People with diabetes

Leuprolide may increase your blood sugar levels. Your doctor will watch you closely and change your diabetes medications if needed.

People with memory problems

Let your doctor know if you have a history of memory problems. Leuprolide can make your memory worse.

Pregnant women

Leuprolide is a category X pregnancy drug. Category X drugs should never be used during pregnancy.

Taking leuprolide can harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about effective birth control options. You may need to use a non-hormonal form of birth control.

Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant, you’ll need to stop taking leuprolide.

Women who are breast-feeding

It isn’t known if leuprolide passes into breast milk. If it does, it may cause serious effects in a breast-feeding child.

You and your doctor may need to decide if you’ll take leuprolide or breast-feed.

For seniors

Lupron Depot-Ped: This drug should only be used in children. The safety and effectiveness of leuprolide in this form haven’t been established for adults older than 65 years.

Lupron Depot 3.75 mg and 11.25 mg: The safety and effectiveness of leuprolide in this form haven’t been established for adults older than 65 years.

For children

Eligard and leuprolide injection solution: The safety and effectiveness of leuprolide in this form haven’t been established in children younger than 18 years.

Lupron Depot: The safety and effectiveness of leuprolide in this form haven’t been established in children younger than 2 years.

Lupron Depot-Ped: The safety and effectiveness of leuprolide in this form haven’t been established in children younger than 2 years.

Lupron Depot 3.75 mg and 11.25 mg: The safety and effectiveness of leuprolide in this form haven’t been established in children younger than 18 years.

When to call the doctor

For children: Let the doctor know if your child still has symptoms of puberty after starting this medication. They may need to adjust your child’s dose of leuprolide.

For women: Leuprolide should stop your menstrual periods. Let your doctor know if you’re still having periods after starting this medication.

Allergies

Leuprolide can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms include:

• trouble breathing
• sudden swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
• trouble swallowing
• hives (raised bumps)
• sensitivity to sunlight

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

Your doctor will determine a dose that’s right for you based on your individual needs. Your general health may affect your dose. Tell your doctor about all health conditions you have before your doctor or nurse administers the drug to you.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you. Important considerations for taking leuprolide

How long does it take?

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Can I drive home after?

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Travel

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Some forms may require additional equipment

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Clinical monitoring

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Insurance

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Show Sources

• Eligard- leuprolide acetate. (2013, February). Retrieved from http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=fe3228a7-a5e4-40e4-9fe6-b35db60a71ce&type=pdf&name=fe3228a7-a5e4-40e4-9fe6-b35db60a71ce
• Lupron Depot- leuprolide acetate. (2014, June). Retrieved from http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=cbc8f94e-7330-4465-05ad-16d64493a5dd&type=pdf&name=cbc8f94e-7330-4465-05ad-16d64493a5dd
• Leuprolide acetate- leuprolide acetate injection, solution. (2011, January). Retrieved from http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=89658d24-2417-4053-a1a4-c38d32db7221&type=pdf&name=89658d24-2417-4053-a1a4-c38d32db7221
• Lupron Depot-Ped-leuprolide acetate. (2013, June). Retrieved from http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=e99f47d2-da10-3127-ecb3-e5d942ae6e81&type=pdf&name=e99f47d2-da10-3127-ecb3-e5d942ae6e81

• Lupron Depot 3.75 mg-leuprolide acetate for depot suspension. (2013, October). Retrieved from http://www.rxabbvie.com/pdf/lupron3_75mg.pdf
• Lupron Depot-3 month 11.25-leuprolide acetate for depot suspension. (2013, October). Retrieved from http://www.rxabbvie.com/pdf/lupron3month11_25mg.pdf

Content developed in collaboration with University of Illinois-Chicago, Drug Information Group

Medically reviewed by Creighton University, Center for Drug Information and Evidence-Based Practice on October 2, 2015

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.