Eligard

Generic Name: leuprolide (LOO proe lide)
Brand Name: Eligard

What is Eligard?

Eligard is related to a naturally occurring hormone called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH influences the release of the hormones testosterone and estrogen in the body.

Eligard is used to reduce the amount of testosterone in the body. It is used to treat advanced prostate cancer.

Eligard may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Eligard

Eligard can cause birth defects. Eligard is not to be used by women. You should not use this medication if you are allergic to leuprolide or similar medications such as buserelin (Suprefact, Suprecor), goserelin (Zoladex), histrelin (Supprelin), nafarelin (Synarel).

Before using Eligard, tell your doctor if you have epilepsy, asthma, migraines, heart or kidney disease, a history of depression, bone cancer affecting your spine, blood in your urine, or if you are unable to urinate.

Tell your doctor if you have a personal or family history of osteoporosis, or if you have any risk factors for bone loss such as smoking, alcohol use, or taking steroid or seizure medications long term. Long-term use of this medication may decrease bone density.

Before using Eligard

You should not use Eligard if you are allergic to leuprolide or similar medications such as buserelin (Suprefact, Suprecor), goserelin (Zoladex), histrelin (Supprelin), nafarelin (Synarel).

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use Eligard:

• risk factors for bone loss such as smoking, alcohol use, or taking steroid or seizure medications long term;

• epilepsy;

• asthma;

• migraines;

• heart disease;

• kidney disease;

• a history of depression;

• bone cancer affecting your spine;

• blood in your urine; or

• if you are unable to urinate.

FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can cause birth defects. Eligard is not to be used by women.

See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings in more detail

Long-term use of this medication may decrease bone density. You may need to receive a bone scan if you ever need to be re-treated with Eligard in the future.

How should I use Eligard?

Eligard is given as an injection under the skin or into a muscle. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to inject your medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Eligard may be given once every month or once every 3 to 6 months. How often you receive this medication will depend on the condition being treated. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Your symptoms may become temporarily worse as your hormones adjust when you first start using this medication. For best results, keep using the medication as instructed by your doctor. Your condition should eventually improve with continued use of Eligard.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. This will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with Eligard. You may still need blood tests for up to 3 months after you stop using Eligard to check your hormone levels and pituitary gland function. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Store Eligard in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. You may take the medicine out and allow it to reach room temperature before mixing and injecting your dose. After the dose is mixed, you must use the injection within 30 minutes.

Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include weakness, or irritation where the Eligard shot was given.

What should I avoid while using Eligard?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Eligard side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• bone pain;

• swelling, rapid weight gain;

• pain, burning, stinging, bruising, or redness where the medication was injected;

• feeling like you might pass out;

• painful or difficult urination;

• urinating more often than usual; or

• sudden headache with vision problems, vomiting, confusion, slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, or slow breathing.

Rare but serious side effects may include:

• pain or unusual sensations in your back;

• numbness, weakness, or tingly feeling in your legs or feet;

• muscle weakness or loss of use; and

• loss of bowel or bladder control.

Less serious side effects may include:

• acne, increased growth of facial hair;

• dizziness, weakness, tired feeling;

• hot flashes, night sweats, chills, clammy skin;

• nausea, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain;

• skin redness, itching, or scaling;

• joint or muscle pain;

• testicle pain;

• impotence, loss of interest in sex;

• depression, sleep problems (insomnia), memory problems; or

• redness, burning, itching, or swelling where the shot was given.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Eligard side effects in more detail

What other drugs will affect Eligard?

There may be other drugs that can interact with Eligard. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Eligard.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2009 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 7.01. Revision Date: 07/01/2009 8:09:19 PM.