Leuprolide (Intradermal Route, Intramuscular Route, Subcutaneous Route) Description and Brand Names

Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

Camcevi
Eligard
Lupron
Lupron Depot
Lupron Depot-Ped
Viadur

Descriptions

Leuprolide injection is a synthetic (man-made) hormone that is similar to a natural hormone that is produced in the brain. It is used to treat a number of medical problems including:

Anemia caused by bleeding from uterine leiomyomas (fibroid tumors in the uterus), or
Cancer of the prostate that is advanced or late-stage, or
Central precocious puberty, a condition which causes early puberty in boys (before 9 years of age) and girls (before 8 years of age), or
Pain due to endometriosis.

Lupron Depot® 11.25 mg is used in combination with norethindrone acetate to initially relieve and manage the reoccurrence of the painful symptoms of endometriosis. It is also used together with iron to treat bleeding in women with anemia caused by uterine leiomyomas before a surgical procedure. It is given in women who need 3 months of hormonal suppression.

When given regularly to men, leuprolide decreases testosterone levels. Reducing the amount of testosterone in the body helps treat cancer of the prostate.

When given regularly to women, leuprolide decreases estrogen levels. Reducing the amount of estrogen in the body helps treat endometriosis. Leuprolide will also shrink tumors in the uterus, which decreases vaginal bleeding and helps prevent anemia.

When given regularly to boys and girls who have early puberty, leuprolide slows the development of the genital area for both sexes. Leuprolide will also slow breast development in girls. This medicine will delay puberty only as long as the child continues to receive it.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

Emulsion
Powder for Suspension, 4 Month
Solution
Powder for Suspension, 6 Month
Powder for Suspension, 1 Month
Powder for Suspension, 3 Month

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of leuprolide pediatric injection in children. However, use is not recommended in children younger than 2 years of age. Leuprolide pediatric injection will stop having an effect for central precocious puberty soon after the child stops using it, and puberty will advance normally.

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of Camcevi™, Eligard®, Lupron®, Lupron Depot®, Lupron Depot®-3 month, Lupron Depot®-4 month, Lupron Depot®-6 month, or Lupron Depot® 11.25 mg in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of Camcevi™, Eligard®, Lupron®, Lupron Depot®, Lupron Depot®-3 month, Lupron Depot®-4 month, or Lupron Depot®-6 month in the elderly.

Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of Lupron Depot® 11.25 mg have not been performed in the geriatric population. This medicine is not indicated for use in elderly women.

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of Fensolvi® or Lupron Depot-Ped® in the elderly.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Bepridil
Cisapride
Dronedarone
Levoketoconazole
Mesoridazine
Pimozide
Piperaquine
Saquinavir
Sparfloxacin
Terfenadine
Thioridazine
Ziprasidone

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Adagrasib
Alfuzosin
Amiodarone
Amisulpride
Amitriptyline
Anagrelide
Apomorphine
Aripiprazole
Aripiprazole Lauroxil
Arsenic Trioxide
Asenapine
Astemizole
Atazanavir
Azithromycin
Bedaquiline
Buprenorphine
Buserelin
Ceritinib
Chloroquine
Chlorpromazine
Ciprofloxacin
Citalopram
Clarithromycin
Clofazimine
Clomipramine
Clothiapine
Clozapine
Crizotinib
Cyclobenzaprine
Dabrafenib
Dasatinib
Degarelix
Delamanid
Desipramine
Deslorelin
Deutetrabenazine
Dexmedetomidine
Disopyramide
Dofetilide
Dolasetron
Domperidone
Donepezil
Doxepin
Droperidol
Ebastine
Efavirenz
Encorafenib
Entrectinib
Eribulin
Erythromycin
Escitalopram
Etrasimod
Famotidine
Felbamate
Fexinidazole
Fingolimod
Flecainide
Fluconazole
Fluoxetine
Formoterol
Foscarnet
Fosphenytoin
Fostemsavir
Galantamine
Gatifloxacin
Gemifloxacin
Gepirone
Glasdegib
Gonadorelin
Goserelin
Granisetron
Halofantrine
Haloperidol
Histrelin
Hydroquinidine
Hydroxychloroquine
Hydroxyzine
Ibutilide
Iloperidone
Imipramine
Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
Itraconazole
Ivabradine
Ivosidenib
Ketoconazole
Lapatinib
Lefamulin
Lenvatinib
Levofloxacin
Lofexidine
Lumefantrine
Macimorelin
Mefloquine
Methadone
Methotrimeprazine
Metronidazole
Mifepristone
Mirtazapine
Mizolastine
Mobocertinib
Moricizine
Moxifloxacin
Nafarelin
Nelfinavir
Nilotinib
Norfloxacin
Octreotide
Ofloxacin
Olanzapine
Ondansetron
Osilodrostat
Osimertinib
Oxaliplatin
Ozanimod
Pacritinib
Paliperidone
Panobinostat
Papaverine
Paroxetine
Pasireotide
Pazopanib
Pentamidine
Perphenazine
Phenobarbital
Pimavanserin
Pipamperone
Pitolisant
Ponesimod
Posaconazole
Primidone
Probucol
Procainamide
Prochlorperazine
Promethazine
Propafenone
Protriptyline
Quetiapine
Quinidine
Quinine
Quizartinib
Ranolazine
Relugolix
Ribociclib
Risperidone
Ritonavir
Selpercatinib
Sertindole
Sertraline
Sevoflurane
Siponimod
Sodium Phosphate
Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
Solifenacin
Sorafenib
Sotalol
Sulpiride
Sultopride
Sunitinib
Tacrolimus
Tamoxifen
Telaprevir
Telavancin
Telithromycin
Tetrabenazine
Tolterodine
Toremifene
Trazodone
Triclabendazole
Trimipramine
Triptorelin
Vandetanib
Vardenafil
Vemurafenib
Venlafaxine
Vilanterol
Vinflunine
Voclosporin
Voriconazole
Vorinostat
Zotepine
Zuclopenthixol

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Proper Use

For leuprolide injections (Camcevi™, Eligard®, Lupron® injection, Lupron Depot®, Lupron Depot® 11.25 mg, Lupron Depot-Ped®, Lupron Depot®-3 month, Lupron Depot®-4 month, or Lupron Depot®-6 month):

A nurse or other trained health professional may give you this medicine. It is given as a shot under your skin or into a muscle. Leuprolide injection is given on different schedules for different conditions. It might be given every day, once a month, or every few months.
Camcevi™ is given once every 6 months. The long-acting form (depot) may be given once every month or once every 3 to 12 months. To stay on the right schedule, make sure you keep all appointments.
You may be taught how to give this medicine at home. Make sure you understand all of the 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.
Check the medicine before each injection. Do not use it if it is discolored, if there are particles in it, or if there is clumping or caking of the powder present.
If you have any questions about any of these, check with your doctor.

Leuprolide injection may contain a Medication Guide or patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully and make sure you understand:

How to prepare the injection.
How to use and dispose of the syringes.
How to give the injection.
How long the injection can be stored.

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.

Use only the brand of this medicine that your doctor prescribed. Different brands may not work the same way.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For injection dosage form:
- For anemia caused by tumors of the uterus or endometriosis:
  - Adults—The dose given depends on the specific product used. Some examples are 3.75 milligrams (mg) injected into a muscle once a month for up to 3 months, or 11.25 mg injected into a muscle as a single injection to last for 3 months.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For cancer of the prostate:
  - Adults—The dose given depends on the specific product used. Some examples are 7.5 milligrams (mg) injected into a muscle or under the skin once a month, 22.5 mg injected into a muscle or under the skin as a single injection to last for 3 months, or 30 mg injected under the skin as a single injection to last for 4 months, or 45 mg injected under the skin as a single injection to last for 6 months.
- For central precocious puberty:
  - Children 2 years of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. Your doctor may adjust the dose as needed. Lupron Depot-Ped® is given once a month, once every 3 months, or once every 6 months.
  - Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For initial and retreatment of endometriosis:
  - Adults—11.25 milligrams (mg) injected into a muscle given for 1 to 2 doses every 3 months. The total treatment duration will last for 12 months.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

After the injection is prepared, the solution must be used right away and not stored. Eligard® must be used within 30 minutes after mixing, and Lupron Depot® must be used within 2 hours after mixing.

Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check the you or your child's progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.

For female patients: You should not receive this medicine if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Patients receiving leuprolide for central precocious puberty (CPP):

If you are a female patient, you may have occasional vaginal bleeding or spotting. If you continue to have heavy bleeding or regular periods after 2 months of using this medicine, call your doctor.
If you develop a rash or irritation at the injection site, check with your doctor right away.
This medicine may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. Make sure the doctor knows if you have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. Also tell the doctor if you have sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. If you or your caregiver notice any of these side effects, tell your doctor right away.
Using this medicine may increase your risk of having seizures. Check with your doctor right away if you start to have convulsions, muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities, sudden loss of consciousness, or loss of bladder control.
This medicine may cause intracranial hypertension or pseudotumor cerebri (increased pressure in the head) in children. Check with your doctor right away if your child has blurred or double vision, change in ability to see colors, especially blue or yellow, continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears, dizziness, eye pain, hearing loss, nausea and vomiting, or severe headache.

Patients receiving leuprolide for endometriosis or for anemia caused by tumors of the uterus:

For the first few days of treatment, the symptoms of your condition may get worse. This is normal. Do not stop using this medicine. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about this.
During the time you are receiving leuprolide, your menstrual period may not be regular or you may not have a menstrual period at all. This is to be expected when being treated with this medicine. If regular menstruation does not begin within 60 to 90 days after you stop receiving this medicine, check with your doctor.
This medicine can cause your bone mineral density to decrease, which may lead to osteoporosis or weakened bones. Talk with your doctor about how this risk will affect you.
During the time you are receiving leuprolide, you should use birth control methods that do not contain hormones (eg, condoms, spermicide). If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.
If you suspect that you may have become pregnant, stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away. There is a chance that continued use of leuprolide during pregnancy could cause birth defects or a miscarriage.
This medicine may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. Make sure the doctor knows if you have trouble sleeping, get upset easily, have a big increase in energy, or start to act reckless. Also tell the doctor if you have sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared. If you or your caregiver notice any of these side effects, tell your doctor right away.
Using this medicine may increase your risk of having seizures. Check with your doctor right away if you start to have convulsions, muscle spasm or jerking of the arms or legs, sudden loss of consciousness, or loss of bladder control.

Patients receiving leuprolide for advanced prostate cancer:

At first, some of your symptoms might get worse for a short time or you might have new symptoms. You might have bone pain, back pain, a tingling or numbness in the body, blood in the urine, or trouble urinating. Tell your doctor if you have any new symptoms or if your symptoms get worse.
This medicine may increase your risk of high blood sugar or cholesterol levels, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Check with your doctor if you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests.
This medicine may increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Check with your doctor right away if you are having chest pain or discomfort, nausea or vomiting, pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck, confusion, slurred speech, or weakness.
Contact your doctor right away if you have any changes to your heart rhythm. You might feel dizzy or faint, or you might have a fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat. Make sure your doctor knows if you or anyone in your family has ever had a heart rhythm problem, including QT prolongation.
This medicine can cause your bone mineral density to decrease, which may lead to osteoporosis or weakened bones. Talk with your doctor about how this risk will affect you.
Using this medicine may increase your risk of having seizures. Check with your doctor right away if you start to have convulsions, muscle spasm or jerking of the arms or legs, sudden loss of consciousness, or loss of bladder control.
Some men who use this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children). Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are using this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

For adults

Less common

Fast or irregular heartbeat

Rare

Bone, muscle, or joint pain
chest tightness
fainting
fast or irregular breathing
numbness or tingling of the hands or feet
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes
skin rash, hives, or itching
sudden, severe decrease in blood pressure and collapse
trouble breathing

For males only (adults)

More common

Arm, back, or jaw pain
bloody or cloudy urine
blurred vision
bone pain
chest pain or discomfort
difficult, burning, or painful urination
difficulty with moving
dizziness
frequent urge to urinate
headache
increased urge to urinate during the night
muscle pain or stiffness
nausea
nervousness
pain in the arms or legs
pain in the joints
pale skin
pounding in the ears
slow or fast heartbeat
sweating
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
waking to urinate at night

Rare

Pain in the groin or legs (especially in the calves)

Incidence not known

Altered mental status
anxiety
blurred vision
burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
chest pain
cold, clammy, pale skin
confusion
dark urine
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
double vision
dry mouth
flushed, dry skin
fruit-like breath odor
increased hunger
increased thirst
increased urination
irregular heartbeat
light-colored stools
loss of consciousness
nausea and vomiting
seizures
stomach pain
thoughts or attempts at killing oneself
unexplained weight loss
unsteadiness or awkwardness
visual changes
weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
yellow eyes or skin

For females only (adults)

Rare

Anxiety
deepening of voice
increased hair growth
mental depression
mood changes

For children

More common

Body aches or pain
chest tightness
chills
cough
cough producing mucus
difficulty in breathing
ear congestion
fever
headache
loss of voice
muscle aches
noisy breathing
pain or redness at the injection site
runny or stuffy nose
sneezing
sore throat
unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Irritability
mood or mental changes

Rare

Burning, itching, or swelling at the injection site

Incidence not known

Blurred vision
change in ability to see colors, especially blue or yellow
nausea and vomiting
seizures
severe headache

For females only (children)—expected in first few weeks

Rare

Vaginal bleeding (continuing)
white vaginal discharge (continuing)

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For adults

More common

Sudden sweating and feeling of warmth (hot flashes)

Less common

Bleeding, bruising, burning, itching, pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
decreased interest in sexual intercourse
swelling of the feet or lower legs
swelling or increased tenderness of the breasts
trouble sleeping
weight gain

For females only (adults)

More common

Light, irregular vaginal bleeding
stopping of menstrual periods

Less common

Burning, dryness, or itching of the vagina
pelvic pain

For males only (adults)

More common

Back pain
chills
constipation
cough
diarrhea
fever
general feeling of discomfort or illness
loss of appetite
pain or discomfort at the injection site
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
runny nose
shivering
sore throat
unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness

Less common

Decreased size of the testicles
inability to have or keep an erection

Incidence not known

Increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
redness or other discoloration of the skin
severe sunburn

For children

More common

Constipation
feeling of warmth
redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
stomach pain

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

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

Portions of this document last updated: April 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/leuprolide-intradermal-route-intramuscular-route-subcutaneous-route/description/drg-20067038

Leuprolide (Intradermal Route, Intramuscular Route, Subcutaneous Route)

Description and Brand Names

US Brand Name

Descriptions

Before Using

Allergies

Pediatric

Geriatric

Breastfeeding

Drug Interactions

Other Interactions

Other Medical Problems

Proper Use

Dosing

Missed Dose

Storage

Precautions

Side Effects

For adults

Less common

Rare

For males only (adults)

More common

Rare

Incidence not known

For females only (adults)

Rare

For children

More common

Less common

Rare

Incidence not known

For females only (children)—expected in first few weeks

Rare

For adults

More common

Less common

For females only (adults)

More common

Less common

For males only (adults)

More common

Less common

Incidence not known

For children

More common

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