Leuprorelin: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What is the drug Leuprorelin?

What is leuprorelin for?

Leuprorelin is used to treat advanced prostate cancer in men. This medicine does not cure. Many types of prostate cancer require the male hormone testosterone to grow and spread. Leuprorelin works by reducing the amount of testosterone the body produces. This helps slow or stop the growth of cancer cells and helps relieve symptoms such as difficulty or pain when urinating. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of treatment.

Leuprorelin is also used to stop early puberty (precocious puberty) in children. This medicine helps delay sexual development (for example, breast / testicle growth) and the start of menstruation. It also helps slow down the rate at which bone grows so the chances of reaching normal adult height increase. Leuprorelin works by reducing the amount of sex hormones a child's body produces (estrogen in girls and testosterone in boys).

OTHER PURPOSES: this section contains uses of this medication that are not listed on the professional label of the drug but may be prescribed by your healthcare provider. Use this medication for the conditions attached to this section if it has been prescribed by your health care provider. Other leuprorelin products can also be used to treat disorders of the uterus (eg endometriosis, fibroids). In women, leuprorelin reduces the amount of estrogen the body produces.

How is leuprorelin used?

This medication is given by injection under the skin (subcutaneously), usually once daily or as instructed by your doctor. In children, dosage is based on body weight and response to therapy. Doctors should consider stopping treatment before age 11 for girls and age 12 for boys. Consult your doctor for more information.

If you are instructed to inject this medication yourself, study all preparation and use instructions on the product packaging. Learn how to store and dispose of syringes and medical equipment safely. If any information is unclear, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Before using, check this product for particles or discoloration. If there is, don't use it. Change the injection location with each use to avoid problem areas under the skin. Use this remedy regularly for best results. To help you remember, use it at the same time every day. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

How is leuprorelin stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Leuprorelin dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the leuprorelin dose for adults?

Dosage for cancer in adults

1 mg subcutaneous injection once a day
7.5 mg IM depot or subcutaneous depot once monthly or
22.5 mg depot IM once every 3 months or
30 mg IM depot once every 4 months or
45 mg subcutaneous injection every 6 months or
65 mg subcutaneous implant once every 12 months

Dosage for endometriosis in adults

3.75 mg IM once every month for up to 6 months or 11.25 mg depot every 3 months

Dosage for Uterine Leiomyomata in adults

3.75 mg IM once every month for up to 6 months or 11.25 mg depot every 3 months

What is the leuprorelin dose for children?

Dosage for Precocious Puberty in children

Depot injection:
Body weight: Less than or equal to 25 kg: 7.5 mg IM once per month
Body weight: Greater than 25 kg to 37.5 kg: 11.25 mg IM once per month
Body weight: Greater than 37.5 kg: 15 mg IM once per month

In what dosage form is leuprorelin available?

Injection 22.5 (3 months depot)
30 mg injection (4 months depot)
45 mg injection (6 months depot)
Powder for injection, lyophilized 7.5 mg
Leuprolide Acetate: Injection 5 mg / mL
Lupron Depot: Microspheres for injection, lyophilized 3.75 mL, 7.5 mg / mL
Lupron Depot-3 Months: Microspheres for injection, lyophilized 11.25 mg, 22.5 mg
Lupron Depot-4 Months: Microspheres for injection, lyophilized 30 mg
Lupron Depot-Ped: Microspheres for injection, lyophilized 7.5 mg, 11.25 mg, 15 mg
Lupron for use in pediatric patients: Injection 5 mg / mL

Leuprorelin side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to leuprorelin?

Seek emergency help immediately if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: rash; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects such as:

bone pain, loss of the ability to move in any part of the body
swelling, rapid weight gain
pain, burning, stinging, bruising, or redness where the medicine was injected
felt like passing out
chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, dry cough or phlegm
pain during or difficulty urinating
high blood sugar (feeling thirsty frequently, increased urination frequency, hunger, dry mouth, bad breath, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss)
sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), problems with speaking or balance
sudden headache with vision problems, vomiting, confusion, slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing;
chest pain that spreads to the arms and shoulders, nausea, sweating, and a feeling of discomfort

Rare, serious side effects can include:

pain or unusual sensation in the back
numbness, weakness, or tingling in the legs
loss of digestive or urinary control
nausea, pain in the upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, pale, yellow stools on the eyes or skin.

Less serious side effects include:

acne, increased facial hair growth
breakthrough bleeding in girls in the first two months of leuprorelin treatment
dizziness, weakness, feeling tired
feeling hot suddenly, sweating while sleeping, chills, clammy skin
vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain
redness of the skin, itching, or peeling skin
muscle or joint pain
itching or discharge from the vagina
breast swelling or pain
pain in the testicles
impotence, loss of interest in sex
depression, sleep problems (insomnia), memory problems
redness, burning, stinging, or pain at the area the drug was injected with.

Not everyone experiences the above side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Leuprorelin Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using leuprorelin?

Before using Leuprorelin, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have any allergies to leuprorelin, goserelin (Zoladex), histrelin (Supprelin LA, Vantas), nafarelin (Synarel), triptorelin (Trelstar), other drugs, or to any composition in leuprorelin products . Ask your pharmacist for a list of ingredients.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products you are taking or planning to take. Make sure you mention the following drugs for irregular heartbeats such as amiodarone (Cordarone), disopyramide (Norpace), procainamide (Procanbid), quinidine, and sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF, Sorine); medicines for seizures; or oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexpak), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Sterapred). Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or watch you for side effects. Tell your doctor if you experience unusual vaginal bleeding. Your doctor may advise against using leuprorelin injections.

Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has a history of osteoporosis (a condition where bones are thin and break more easily); if you have a long history of drinking alcohol or using tobacco products, or if you have or have a history of depression, cancer that spreads to the spine, diabetes, urinary tract obstruction (blockage that causes difficulty urinating, blood in the urine, prolonged QT interval (a heart condition that can cause an uneven heartbeat, blackout, or sudden death), heart disease, or blood levels of potassium, calcium, or magnesium.

It is important to know that leuprorelin cannot be used in women who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding. Your doctor may do a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant when you start leuprorelin injection treatment. You will need a non-hormonal birth control method; which can be relied on to prevent pregnancy while on leuprorelin treatment. Ask your doctor about the type of birth control that is suitable for you, and continue using this method of birth control even if you do not have your normal menstruation during treatment. If you become pregnant while on treatment, contact your doctor immediately. Leuprorelin injection can harm the fetus.

Avoid overexposure to the sun and wear clothes, glasses and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun. Leuprorelin injection can make skin sensitive to sunlight.

Is leuprorelin safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category X according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

A = No risk,
B = not at risk in several studies,
C = May be risky,
D = There is positive evidence of risk,
X = Contraindicated,
N = Unknown

It is not yet known if leuprorelin can pass through breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Leuprorelin Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with leuprorelin?

Drug interactions can change how medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not include all drug interactions that can occur. Keep a list of the products you use (including prescription / nonprescription medicines and herbal products) and tell your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's knowledge. Medicines that can interact with Leuprorelin are:

antibiotics - azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, pentamidine; anti malarial drugs - chloroquine, halofantrine
cancer drugs - arsenic trioxide, vandetanib; heart rhythm medicine – amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, dronedarone, flecainide, ibutilide, quinidine, sotalol; or
drugs to treat depression and psychiatric disorders - citalopram, chlorpromazine, escitalopram, haloperidol, pimozide, thioridazine.

Can food or alcohol interact with leuprorelin?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with leuprorelin?

The presence of other health problems can affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, specifically:

risk factors for bone loss (a family history of osteoporosis, smoking, alcohol use, using steroids or drug seizures for a long time)
diabetes, high blood pressure, recent weight gain, high cholesterol (especially in men)
heart disease, congenital heart failure, history of Long QT syndrome
electrolyte imbalances (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood)
epilepsy
asthma
migraine
Kidney illness
a history of depression
bone cancer affecting the spine
blood in the urine
or unable to urinate