Lucrin Side Effects

Lucrin is an injectable drug available in a number of countries outside the United States, including New Zealand, Australia, Belgium, Costa Rica, Malaysia, Singapore and South Africa. The most common usage of lucrin is the treatment of late stage prostate cancer; however, doctors sometimes prescribe it in conjunction with the treatment of other illnesses and conditions, such as breast cancer, fibroid uterine tumors and endometriosis. Despite its effectiveness, lucrin is not for everyone as it presents several risks for side effects and complications in some patients.

Common Side Effects

• Approximately 52 percent of lucrin users report hot flashes, making this the most common side effect of the drug. The retention of fluid under the skin is also common, occurring in at least 8 percent of users. More than 5 percent of patients who take lucrin experience dizziness, pain throughout the body, headache, nausea and vomiting.

Other Side Effects

• Lucrin also has the potential to cause a number of other troublesome or annoying, but not dangerous, side effects. Some patients experience gastrointestinal side effects from the drug, such as diarrhea and loss of appetite. Nervous system effects like anxiety, tingling in the extremities, forgetfulness, sour taste and insomnia as well as fever and fatigue are also possible while taking lucrin. Other possible side effects of lucrin include breast tenderness in women and impotence in men.

Allergic Reaction

• Though rare, lucrin has the potential to cause serious allergic reactions in some patients. The first signs of an allergic reaction are often the formation of hives anywhere on the body and itching around the mouth and lips. Without medical attention, the reaction often progresses to more dangerous symptoms, such as swelling of the lips and throat or difficulty breathing. If you experience any signs of an allergic reaction at any point while using lucrin, seek prompt emergency medical care.

Risks

• In addition to minor side effects and the risk of interactions, lucrin has the potential to cause serious medical complications. In some cases, lucrin has been linked to cardiovascular problems, including the formation of blood clots, inflammation of veins, heart attack and irregular heartbeat. Lucrin sometimes causes difficulty and irregular breathing as well as gastrointestinal bleeding. Serious neuro-sensory effects of lucrin include blurred vision and numbness.

Considerations

• In some cases, lucrin injections cause an initial worsening of the symptoms of the illness or disease. Doctors also limit the use of lucrin in patients who have impaired kidneys as without proper urination, levels of the drug can build up in the body and become toxic. Lucrin is not typically prescribed to treat children as there is not enough information to ensure that pediatric usage does not lead to long term side effects. Lucrin injections may cause damage to the fetus and typically are avoided during pregnancy.