Eligard

Generic Name: leuprolide (LOO proe lide)
Brand Name: Eligard, Lupron Depot, Lupron Depot-Ped

What is Eligard?

Eligard (leuprolide) overstimulates the body's own production of certain hormones, which causes that production to shut down temporarily. Leuprolide reduces the amount of testosterone in men or estrogen in women.

Eligard is used in men to treat the symptoms of prostate cancer.

Eligard treats only the symptoms of prostate cancer and does not treat the cancer itself.

Important information

Certain brands or strengths of leuprolide are only for men.

Eligard can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant.

Before taking this medicine

Certain brands or strengths of leuprolide are used to treat only men and should not be used in women or children. Always check your medicine to make sure you have received the correct brand and strength. Ask the pharmacist if you have any questions about the medicine you receive at the pharmacy.

You should not use Eligard if you are allergic to leuprolide or similar medicines such as buserelin, goserelin, histrelin, nafarelin, or if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor.

Eligard can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

To make sure Eligard is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• risk factors for bone loss (personal or family history of osteoporosis, smoking, alcohol use, taking steroid or seizure medicines long term);

• diabetes, high blood pressure, recent weight gain, high cholesterol (especially in men);

• heart disease, congestive heart failure, a history of long QT syndrome;

• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood);

• epilepsy;

• asthma;

• migraines;

• kidney disease;

• a history of depression;

• bone cancer affecting your spine;

• blood in your urine; or

• if you are unable to urinate.

Leuprolide usually causes women to stop ovulating or having menstrual periods. However, you may still be able to get pregnant. Use a barrier form of birth control (condom or diaphragm with spermicide). Hormonal contraception (birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings) may not be effective enough to prevent pregnancy during your treatment.

Call your doctor if your periods continue while you are being treated with Eligard.

It is not known whether leuprolide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using Eligard.

How should I use Eligard?

Eligard is injected under the skin or into a muscle, once every month or once every 3 to 6 months. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject Eligard if you do not understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.

Because different brands or strengths of leuprolide are used to treat different conditions, it is very important that you receive exactly the brand and strength your doctor has prescribed. Always check your medication to make sure you have received the correct brand and type prescribed by your doctor.

Your symptoms may become temporarily worse as your hormones adjust when you first start using Eligard. Keep using the medication as directed, and your condition should eventually improve.

While using Eligard, you may need frequent blood tests. Eligard can have long lasting effects on your body and you may also need medical tests for a short time after you stop using this medicine.

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 a disposable needle and syringe only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). 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 or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using Eligard?

Leuprolide can pass into body fluids (urine, feces, vomit). For at least 48 hours after you receive a dose, avoid allowing your body fluids to come into contact with your hands or other surfaces. Caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up a patient's body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from other laundry.

Eligard side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Eligard: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• bone pain, loss of movement in any part of your body;

• swelling, rapid weight gain;

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

• vomiting, confusion, slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, or slow breathing;

• sudden chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, dry cough or hack;

• painful or difficult urination;

• increased thirst or urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin;

• heart attack symptoms - chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating; or

• signs of a stroke - sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance.

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, loss of bowel or bladder control; or

• liver problems - nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common Eligard side effects may include:

• stomach discomfort;

• hot flashes, sweating, acne, rash, itching;

• headache, joint pain, or general pain;

• cold or flu symptoms, weakness, feeling tired, trouble breathing;

• breakthrough bleeding in a female child during the first weeks of Eligard treatment;

• swelling, bloating, weight gain, problems with urination;

• vaginal itching or discharge;

• decreased testicle size; or

• redness, burning, stinging, pain, swelling, or oozing 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: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Eligard?

Eligard can cause a serious heart problem, especially if you use certain medicines at the same time, including antibiotics, antidepressants, heart rhythm medicine, antipsychotic medicines, and medicines to treat cancer, malaria, HIV or AIDS. Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Eligard.

Other drugs may interact with leuprolide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Eligard.

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• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Eligard only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. 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 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 1996-2016 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 16.05. Revision Date: 2016-07-25, 4:34:00 PM.