Lupron

Lupron is a prescription hormone medication used for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Lupron is also available to treat central precocious puberty (early onset of puberty) in children. 

Lupron belongs to a group of drugs called GnRH agonists, which work by decreasing the amount of certain hormones in the body.

For the treatment of prostate cancer, Lupron comes as a solution that is injected just under the skin daily. 

For the treatment of central precocious puberty, Lupron is available as an injection and is administered under the skin daily until you get an adequate response. 

Common side effects include hot flashes, generalized pain, and irritation or pain at the site of injection.

Lupron is a prescription hormone medication used for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Lupron is also available to treat central precocious puberty (early onset of puberty) in children. 

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Lupron including:

• signs of puberty
• seizures
• urinary blockage
• increased risk for heart attack or stroke
• increased risk for osteoporosis or fractures
• increased risk for diabetes or raised blood glucose (sugar) levels
• impotence
• worsening of depression

Do not take Lupron if you:

• are allergic to any of its ingredients
• have vaginal bleeding
• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding

Serious side effects have been reported. See the “Drug Precautions” section.

Common side effects include:

• hot flashes
• headache
• generalized pain
• irritation or pain at the site of injection
• mood changes
• fatigue
• acne
• rash
• swelling
• vaginal bleeding or discharge, dryness, and itching
• weight gain

Common side effects of Lupron in children include:

• generalized pain
• acne
• injection site reactions
• rash
• vaginal bleeding or discharge and itching

This is not a complete list of Lupron side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

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

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone)
• bupropion (Zyban, Wellbutrin)
• dexamethasone (Decadron)
• disopyramide (Norpace)
• methylprednisolone (Medrol)
• prednisone (Deltasone)
• procainamide (Procanbid)
• quinidine
• sotalol (Betapace)
• seizure medications
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as escitalopram (Lexapro), sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (Celexa), vilazodone (Viibryd), paroxetine (Paxil), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), and fluvoxamine (Luvox)

This is not a complete list of Lupron drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Lupron falls into category X. Lupron may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Therefore, the possibility exists that spontaneous abortion may occur if the drug is administered during pregnancy. If this drug is administered during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking any formulation of Lupron, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known whether this medication is excreted in human milk. Nursing mothers should not use Lupron.

Serious side effects have been reported with leuprolide including:

• increased risk for heart attack or stroke
• increased risk for diabetes or raised blood glucose (sugar) levels
• impotence

This medication is not to be used in women who are or may become pregnant.

Before taking leuprolide, tell your doctor if you are unable to urinate.