lupron and hormones
leuprolide (LOO pro lide)
Eligard, Lupron, Viadur
What is the most important information I should know about Lupron?
• Lupron can be administered as an intramuscular injection (into muscle),a subcutaneous injection (under the skin), as a depot injection (a shot givenperiodically at a doctor's office), or as an implant lupron and hormones. Your healthcare providerwill administer the depot injection or place the implant under the skin lupron and hormones. Ifyou are injecting Lupron at home, your doctor or nurse will give you detailedinstructions on how and where to inject the medication lupron and hormones. Do not administer aninjection if you are unsure how to properly do so, how much to inject, or howoften to inject the medication lupron and hormones. Call your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to goover the instructions with you lupron and hormones.
What is Lupron?
• Lupron is related to a naturally occurring hormone called gonadotropin-releasinghormone (GnRH) lupron and hormones. GnRH influences the release of the hormones testosterone andestrogen in the body lupron and hormones.
• Lupron is used to reduce the amount of testosterone or estrogen in thebody lupron and hormones. It is used for conditions such as cancer of the prostate, endometriosis(growth of uterine lining outside of the womb), uterine fibroids, and earlypuberty (before 8 years of age in females and 9 years of age in males) lupron and hormones.
• Lupron may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide lupron and hormones.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Lupron?
• Some forms of leuprolide (e.g., Lupron injection) contain the preservativebenzyl alcohol lupron and hormones. Do not use Lupron without first talking to your doctor if youhave an allergy to benzyl alcohol lupron and hormones.
• Before using Lupron, tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions lupron and hormones. You may not be able to use Lupron, or you may require a dosage adjustment orspecial monitoring lupron and hormones.
• Lupron is in the FDA pregnancy category X lupron and hormones. This means that Lupron isknown to cause birth defects in an unborn baby lupron and hormones. Do not use this medication ifyou are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment lupron and hormones.
• It is not known whether Lupron passes into breast milk lupron and hormones. Do not use thismedication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding ababy lupron and hormones.
How should I use Lupron?
• Use Lupron exactly as directed by your doctor lupron and hormones. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain them to you lupron and hormones.
• Leuprolide can be administered as a subcutaneous injection (under theskin), as an intramuscular (into muscle) depot injection (a shot given periodicallyat a doctor's office), or as an implant lupron and hormones. Your healthcare provider will administerthe depot injection or place the implant under the skin lupron and hormones. If you are injectingleuprolide at home, your doctor or nurse will give you detailed instructionson how and where to inject the medication lupron and hormones. Do not administer an injection ifyou are unsure how to properly do so, how much to inject, or how often to injectthe medication lupron and hormones. Call your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to go over the instructionswith you lupron and hormones.
• Leuprolide is injected daily, monthly, every 3 months, or every 4 months,depending on the formulation being used and the condition being treated lupron and hormones. Differentformulations of leuprolide are not interchangeable lupron and hormones. For example, one-third ofthe 3-month dose cannot be used as a 1-month dose lupron and hormones.
• The leuprolide implant (Viadur) is placed under the skin of the upper,inner arms by your healthcare provider and delivers medication continuouslyfor 12 months lupron and hormones. The implant must be removed by your healthcare provider after12 months lupron and hormones.
• It is important to use Lupron regularly to get the most benefit lupron and hormones.
• There may be an increase in symptoms during the first days or weeks oftreatment with Lupron lupron and hormones. This effect will diminish with continued treatment lupron and hormones.
• Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluationsduring treatment with Lupron to monitor progress and side effects lupron and hormones.
• Store Lupron vials for injection in the original carton, protected fromlight, until they are ready to be used lupron and hormones. Store the vials at room temperature(below 77 degrees Fahrenheit) or in the refrigerator lupron and hormones. Do not allow the medicationto freeze if you store it in the refrigerator lupron and hormones.
• Lupron depot formulations can be stored at room temperature and shouldbe used immediately after mixing lupron and hormones.
• Eligard should be stored in the refrigerator between 30 to 46 degreesFahrenheit (2 and 8 degrees Celsius) lupron and hormones. The product should be allowed to reachroom temperature before using lupron and hormones. Once mixed, the product must be used within 30minutes lupron and hormones.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Inject the missed dose as soon as you remember lupron and hormones. However, if it is almosttime for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and use only the next regularlyscheduled dose lupron and hormones. Do not use a double dose of this medication lupron and hormones.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention or call your doctor if an overdose issuspected lupron and hormones.
• Symptoms of a Lupron overdose are not known but might include decreasedactivity, difficulty breathing, and irritation at the injection site lupron and hormones.
What should I avoid while using Lupron?
• There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activities while usingLupron lupron and hormones. Follow any special instructions given by your doctor lupron and hormones.
• After insertion of the implantable form of leuprolide (Viadur), keepthe site clean and dry for 24 hours lupron and hormones. Do not bathe or swim for 24 hours lupron and hormones. Avoidheavy lifting and physical activity for 48 hours and avoid bumping the sitefor a few days lupron and hormones. After the cut has healed, normal activity can be resumed lupron and hormones.
What are the possible side effects of Lupron?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop usingLupron and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· difficulty urinating;
· bone pain; or
· numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs or arms lupron and hormones.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur lupron and hormones. Talk toyour doctor if you experience
· hot flashes or sweating;
· decreased libido or impotence;
· lack of energy;
· depression;
· breast enlargement;
· nausea or vomiting;
· constipation;
· weakness;
· dizziness;
· headache; or
· redness, burning, itching, or swelling at the injection site lupron and hormones.
• Any woman using leuprolide who experiences menstrual bleeding duringtreatment should contact her healthcare provider lupron and hormones.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur lupron and hormones. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome lupron and hormones.
What other drugs will affect Lupron?
• It is not known whether Lupron will interact with other medicines lupron and hormones. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products lupron and hormones.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Lupron written for healthprofessionals that you may read lupron and hormones.
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