Is Lupron Depot a chemotherapy treatment?

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on Jan 16, 2025.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Lupron Depot (leuprolide acetate) injection is not a chemotherapy treatment, but a prescription hormone medicine used in the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Palliative treatment is used to relieve pain or other symptoms and improve the quality of your life. Lupron Depot is not a cure for advanced prostate cancer.

Lupron Depot is classified as a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. It works by reducing the amount of testosterone in your blood. Testosterone is an androgen hormone that can stimulate the growth of prostate cancer.

Lupron Depot is given as an injectable depot suspension under your skin (subcutaneously). Depot formulations continuously release medicine into your body over a certain period of time.

You and your doctor will determine the best dose for you. Lupron Depot is injected into a muscle of your upper arm, upper thigh or buttocks either once a month, or once every 3, 4 or 6 months for the treatment of prostate cancer. You may feel a small bump under your skin after you receive the injection, but this will diminish over time.

Your doctor will give you this medicine in their office, a clinic or hospital. This helps to prevent you from having daily or even weekly injections.

Testosterone levels should be suppressed in 3 to 4 weeks after your injection. Your doctor will monitor your testosterone and prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels in your blood to see how well the medicine is working.

Related: Lupron Depot side effects (in more detail)

This is not all the information you need to know about Lupron Depot (leuprolide acetate) for safe and effective use. Review the full Lupron Depot information here, and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.

Does Lupron Depot need to be refrigerated?

Before reconstitution, Lupron Depot for treatment of prostate cancer can be stored in its original container at room temperature (77°F [25°C]), with a range between 59°F to 86°F [15°C to 30°C]). Once Lupron Depot is reconstituted, inject the suspension immediately. Discard if not used within two hours, because Lupron Depot does not contain a preservative. Continue reading

Is Firmagon (degarelix) the same as Lupron Depot?

No, Firmagon (degarelix) is not the same as Lupron but they are both hormone deprivation treatments that may be used for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Firmagon takes a more direct path to testosterone suppression than Lupron. Firmagon is an antagonist that immediately stops testosterone production, preventing a testosterone surge and eliminating the need for any additional therapies. Lupron is an agonist that desensitizes the GnRH receptor but causes an initial surge in testosterone and may require additional medication.

How do you inject Lupron Depot for prostate cancer?

Lupron Depot (leuprolide acetate) is a depot suspension formulation only injected by your doctor. Lupron Depot is injected into a muscle of your upper arm, upper thigh or buttocks once every month, or once every 3, 4 or 6 months for the treatment of prostate cancer. Depot formulations release medicine continuously over a certain period of time. Continue reading

Is Lupron Depot a chemotherapy treatment?

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Does Lupron Depot need to be refrigerated?

Is Firmagon (degarelix) the same as Lupron Depot?

How do you inject Lupron Depot for prostate cancer?

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