Leuprolide acetate Side Effects

Serious side effects

mental or mood changes as anxiety, delusions, depression, and nervousness
severe allergic reactions such as rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips or tongue
new or worsening bone pain
burning, numbness, tingling, or weakness
paralysis
blood in the urine
shortness of breath
symptoms of heart attack like chest, jaw or left arm pain, numbness of an arm or leg, sudden, severe headache or vomiting, vision changes
fast slow or irregular heartbeat
fainting
severe headache
symptoms of high blood sugar like drowsiness, fast breathing, flushing, fruit-like breath odor, increased thirst, hunger, or urination
seizures
severe drowsiness
trouble urinating or inability to urinate
swelling of hands, ankles, or feet
vision changes
symptoms of a stroke like confusion, one sided weakness, slurred speech, and vision changes
severe dizziness or light headedness
loss of bowel or bladder control
pain or unusual sensations in your back
muscle weakness or loss of use
numbness, weakness, or tingly feeling in your legs or feet
nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice,(yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Less serious side effects

mild burning, pain, stinging, redness and bruising at the injection site
skin redness, itching, or scaling
increased sweating
night sweats
hot flashes, night sweats, chills, clammy skin
headache
upset stomach
breast changes
acne, increased growth of facial hair
joint, muscle aches
testicle pains
trouble sleeping, depression, memory problems
breakthrough bleeding in a female child during the first 2 months of leuprolide treatment
reduced sexual interest, impotence
nausea, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain
vaginal discomfort, dryness
vaginal bleeding
swelling of the ankles, feet
increased urination at night
breast swelling or tenderness
vaginal itching or discharge
dizziness, weakness, tired feeling

Warnings & Recalls for Leuprolide acetate

Being on leuprolide therapy along with radiation has been shown to statistically shorten the penis.

Tell your doctor about all prescription and non prescription medications that you may be taking. Also if you have any allergies to medications, foods or other substances. If you are taking any medications that can weaken your bones because long term use of this medication may decrease bone density, or have any blood electrolyte problems then you should tell your doctor.

Drugs that may interact with Leuprolide acetate

Some medications may interact with leuprolide so tell your doctor about all medications you may be on especially antiarrhythmic medicines (amiodarone, quinidine, sotalol).

Family planning

The FDA categorizes leuprolide acetate as a category X pregnancy. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, become pregnant during treatment or are breastfeeding. Do not use this medication if you are pregnant, can become pregnant or are breastfeeding as leuprolide may harm the fetus or cause birth defects.

Leuprolide acetate Treatment and Use

What is Leuprolide acetate?

Leuprolide acetate is used to treat advanced prostate cancer, control ovarian stimulation in In Vitro Fertilization, to treat breast cancer, estrogen-dependent conditions like endometriosis, and for the treatment of children with central precocious puberty. It’s a syntetic polypeptide analog of naturally occurring gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

How does Leuprolide acetate work?

It acts as an agonist at pituitary GnRH receptors. When it interrupts normal pulsatile stimulation and the desensitization of the GnRH receptors. Indirectly it down regulates the secretion of gonadotropins luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) leading to hypogonadism. Thus having a dramatic reduction in estradiol and testosterone levels in both sexes.

Dosage information

Be sure to take as directed by your doctor, no more or less. 1 mg is the recommended single dose that is administered by injection once a month for 3 to 6 months. The injection site shouldn’t be the same every single time.

Other Names for Leuprolide acetate

Brand name

Eligard^®

Lupron^®

Lupron Depot^®

Lupron Depot^®-3 Month

Lupron Depot^®-4 Month

Lupron Depot^®-6 Month