WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LUPRON DEPOT?
Lupron Depot is a medication that can cause birth defects. Do not use it if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. You should not use this medication if you are allergic to leuprolide or similar medications such as buserelin (Suprefact, Suprecor), goserelin (Zoladex), histrelin (Supprelin), nafarelin (Synarel), or if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been diagnosed by a doctor; or if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Before using Lupron Depot, tell your doctor if you have epilepsy, asthma, migraines, heart or kidney disease, a history of depression, bone cancer affecting your spine, blood in your urine, or if you are unable to urinate.
Tell your doctor if you have a personal or family history of osteoporosis, or if you have any risk factors for bone loss such as smoking, alcohol use, or taking steroid or seizure medications long term. Long-term use of Lupron Depot may decrease bone density, possibly leading to osteoporosis.
Certain brands or strengths of leuprolide are used to treat only men and should not be used in women or children. Always check Lupron Depot to make sure you have received the correct brand and strength prescribed by your doctor.
WHAT SHOULD I DISCUSS WITH MY HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BEFORE USING LUPRON DEPOT (LEUPROLIDE)?
Certain brands or strengths of leuprolide are used to treat only men and should not be used in women or children. Always check your medication to make sure you have received the correct brand and strength prescribed by your doctor. Ask the pharmacist if you have any questions about the Lupron Depot you receive at the pharmacy. You should not use this medication if you are allergic to leuprolide or similar medications such as buserelin (Suprefact, Suprecor),
goserelin (Zoladex), histrelin (Supprelin), nafarelin (Synarel), or if you have:
- abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been diagnosed by a doctor; or
- if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use Lupron Depot:
- a personal or family history of osteoporosis;
- risk factors for bone loss such as smoking, alcohol use, or taking steroid or seizure medications long term;
- epilepsy;
- asthma;
- migraines;
- heart disease;
- kidney disease;
- a history of depression;
- bone cancer affecting your spine;
- blood in your urine; or
- if you are unable to urinate.
FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects. Do not use leuprolide if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Lupron Depot usually causes women to stop ovulating or having menstrual periods. However, you may still be able to get pregnant. Use an effective barrier form of birth control (such as a condom or diaphragm with spermicide gel or inserts). Hormonal forms of contraception (such as birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings) may not be effective in preventing pregnancy while you are using leuprolide. Because leuprolide is expected to cause your menstrual periods to stop, contact your doctor if your periods continue while you are being treated with this medication. Do not breastfeed a baby while using leuprolide.
Long-term use of Lupron Depot may decrease bone density, possibly leading to osteoporosis. Talk with your doctor about your possible risk for osteoporosis. You may need to receive a bone scan if you ever need to be re-treated with leuprolide in the future.
HOW SHOULD I USE LUPRON DEPOT (LEUPROLIDE)?
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Leuprolide is given as an injection under the skin or into a muscle. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare providers will give you this injection. You may be shown how to inject your medicine at home. Do not self-inject Lupron Depot if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
Lupron Depot comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Leuprolide may be given once every month or once every 3 to 6 months. How often you receive this medication will depend on the condition being treated. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Because different brands or strengths of leuprolide are used to treat different conditions, it is very important that you receive exactly the brand and strength your doctor has prescribed. If you self-inject this medication at home, always check Lupron Depot to make sure you have received the correct brand and type prescribed by your doctor.
Your symptoms may become temporarily worse as your hormones adjust when you first start using this medication. For best results, keep using the medication as instructed by your doctor. Your condition should eventually improve with the continued use of leuprolide.
To be sure that Lupron Depot is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. This will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with leuprolide. You may still need blood tests for up to 3 months after you stop using leuprolide to check your hormone levels and pituitary gland function. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Store Lupron Depot in the original carton at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Store Eligard in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. You may take the medicine out and allow it to reach room temperature before mixing and injecting your dose. After the dose is mixed, you must use the injection within 30 minutes.
Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I MISS A DOSE?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose of Lupron Depot.
Women who miss more than one leuprolide dose may have breakthrough bleeding. Children who miss more than one dose may have a return of pubertal symptoms such as breast development, growth in the testicles, or menstrual periods.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I OVERDOSE?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include weakness, or irritation where the leuprolide shot was given.
WHAT SHOULD I AVOID WHILE USING LUPRON DEPOT (LEUPROLIDE)?
Follow your doctor’s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
LUPRON DEPOT (LEUPROLIDE) SIDE EFFECTS
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction from Lupron Depot: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- bone pain;
- swelling, rapid weight gain;
- pain, burning, stinging, bruising, or redness where the medication was injected;
- feeling like you might pass out;
- painful or difficult urination;
- urinating more often than usual; or
- sudden headache with vision problems, vomiting, confusion, slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, or slow breathing.
Rare but serious side effects may include:
- pain or unusual sensations in your back;
- numbness, weakness, or tingly feeling in your legs or feet;
- muscle weakness or loss of use; and
- loss of bowel or bladder control.
Less serious side effects may include:
- acne increased growth of facial hair;
- breakthrough bleeding in a female child during the first 2 months of leuprolide treatment;
- dizziness, weakness, tired feeling;
- hot flashes, night sweats, chills, clammy skin;
- nausea, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain;
- skin redness, itching, or scaling;
- joint or muscle pain;
- vaginal itching or discharge
- breast swelling or tenderness;
- testicle pain;
- impotence, loss of interest in sex;
- depression, sleep problems (insomnia), memory problems; or
- redness, burning, itching, or swelling where the shot was given.
