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Leuprolide Treatment

Leuprolide is a prescription medication used to treat a number of conditions, including prostate cancer, endometriosis, uterine fibroids and central precocious (early-onset) puberty. It belongs to a class of drugs called LHRH agonists---also known as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists---designed to decrease male and female hormone production. If your doctor is considering treating you with a leuprolide compound, you may benefit from learning more about these medications.

  1. Forms of Leuprolide

    • Leuprolide comes in a number of different forms that are designed to work for varying lengths of time. Lupron is a solution that is injected just beneath the skin (subcutaneously) once daily. Eligard is a longer-acting compound given subcutaneously every 1 to 6 months. Intramuscular (muscle-injected) versions of leuprolide include Lupron Depot and Lupron Depot-PED, given once a month, and longer-acting compounds such as Lupron Depot-3 month and Lupron Depot-4 month. Another form of leuprolide (Viadur) is implanted in a tiny tube under the skin once a year. The form of leuprolide used for your treatment will be determined by your doctor.

    Leuprolide for Men

    • If you take leuprolide for prostate cancer, the drug will work to lower the amount of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) produced in your testicles. These two hormones have been shown to accelerate the growth of prostate cancer cells, and decreasing their presence will slow or diminish the advance of these cells.

    Leuprolide for Women

    • If you take leuprolide for endometriosis, it will work to lower your estrogen production. This in turn will shrink your endometrial growths. Uterine fibroids are also diminished by lowered estrogen levels.

    Leuprolide for Children

    • If your child exhibits signs of early-onset puberty---defined as accelerated bone growth and maturation of sexual characteristics in girls younger than 8 or boys younger than 9---leuprolide will slow breast and genital development. It is effective in these cases only while it is actively administered.

    Mild Leuprolide Side Effects

    • Leuprolide use carries potential for a number of different side effects that vary with the age and sex of the patient. If you are an adult, your side effects may include dizziness, nausea, headache, decreased sexual interest, sleeping difficulties, swelling in the lower legs or feet, weight gain or blurred vision. Men in particular may experience constipation, erectile dysfunction or decrease in testicle size. Women in particular may experience hot flashes, pelvic pain, irregular vaginal bleeding and vaginal dryness, itching or burning. While you will want to inform your doctor if these side effects manifest, they are not typically considered to be serious complications.

    Serious Leuprolide Side Effects

    • Certain side effects, however, are much more serious. For adults, these signs include breathing difficulties, chest tightness, fainting, hives or skin rash, tingling or numbness in the feet or hands, swelling of the eyelids, fast or irregular heartbeat and sudden or severe decreases in blood pressure. Men may also experience pain in the chest or groin. If you develop any of these conditions, contact your doctor immediately.

    Side Effects in Children

    • Children may rarely experience skin rash or body pain. Girls may experience vaginal bleeding or white vaginal discharge. Tell your doctor as soon as possible if your child manifests these side effects.

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