Health Library

Leuprolide (By injection)

Leuprolide (LOO-proe-lide)

Treats endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and premature puberty. Also treats symptoms of prostate cancer.

Brand Name(s):

Camcevi, Eligard, Fensolvi, Lupron Depot, Lupron Depot-PED, Lupron Depot-Ped

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and schedule. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or under the skin. Leuprolide injection is given on different schedules for different conditions. It might be given every day, once a month, or every few months.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.
• Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Missed dose: This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.
• If you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how leuprolide works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Medicine to treat depression (including bupropion, SSRIs)
  • Medicine to treat heart rhythm problems
  • Medicine to treat seizures
  • Steroid medicine (including dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone)
• If you are using Lupron Depot® 11.25 mg together with norethindrone acetate, you should also read and understand the information and instructions about using norethindrone. The warnings and precautions on norethindrone will also apply to Lupron Depot® 11.25 mg.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Female patients who are using this medicine should use birth control that does not contain hormones (including condoms, spermicide).Your menstrual periods should stop, but you might have light bleeding or spotting. If you continue to have heavy bleeding or regular periods, call your doctor
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart failure, diabetes, heart or blood vessel disease, heart rhythm problems (including long QT syndrome), problems with your nervous system, or a history of asthma, sinusitis, drug allergy, brain tumor, depression, mental illness, seizures, or stroke.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Changes in mood or behavior
  • Increased risk for seizures
  • Heart rhythm changes, including QT prolongation
  • Weaker bones, which may lead to osteoporosis
  • Problems with the urinary tract or spinal cord (in males)
  • Increased risk of high blood sugar or cholesterol levels (in males)
  • Increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (in males)
  • Increased risk of heart attack or stroke (in males)
  • Intracranial hypertension or pseudotumor cerebri (increased pressure in the head) in children
  • Serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP)
• Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children. Some males who use this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children).
• Your symptoms might get worse when you first start using this medicine, but they should get better as the medicine starts to work. If your condition does not begin to improve after 2 weeks, check with your doctor.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Arm, leg, back, bone, or muscle pain, numbness or tingling in the body
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
• Blurred or change in vision, eye pain, severe headache, fainting, dizziness, lightheadedness
• Change in how much or how often you urinate, blood in the urine
• Chest pain that may spread, trouble breathing, coughing up blood
• Dark urine or pale stools, loss of appetite, yellow skin or eyes
• Depression, mood or behavior changes
• Dry mouth, fruit-like breath odor, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tiredness
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Fever, chills, cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, body aches
• Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body, pain in your lower leg
• Seizures
• Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking
• Unusual or severe bone or back pain
• Vaginal bleeding, discharge, itching, or pain

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Constipation
• Hot flashes, sweating, warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest
• Loss of interest in sex, sexual problems
• Pain, itching, burning, bruises, or swelling where the shot was given
• Weight changes

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024