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Overview: Leuprolide is an injection used for advanced prostate cancer. It helps lower testosterone levels, which can help slow the growth of prostate cancer. The most common side effects are hot flashes and temporary worsening of prostate cancer symptoms, such as trouble peeing. Serious side effects are rare but include severe skin reactions, high blood sugar levels, seizures, and heart problems.

Uses

What is leuprolide used for?

Leuprolide is commonly used for advanced prostate cancer. 

Leuprolide may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

For information about pediatric uses for leuprolide, see leuprolide, pediatric (Fensolvi, Lupron Depot-Ped).

For information about leuprolide for endometriosis/fibroids, see leuprolide, endometriosis/fibroids (Lupron Depot).

How does leuprolide work (mechanism of action)?

Prostate cancer cells need hormones, such as testosterone, to grow. At first, leuprolide causes a temporary increase in certain hormones, but with continued use, it reduces testosterone to very low levels. This can help slow the growth of prostate cancer. 

How is leuprolide supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Camcevi
  • Eligard
  • Lupron Depot

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 42 mg prefilled syringes
  • 7.5 mg, 22.5 mg, 30 mg, and 45 mg injections
  • 14 mg/2.8 mL (1 mg/0.2 mL) multiple-dose vial
  • 22.5 mg single-dose vial

How should I store leuprolide?

Some leuprolide products can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator, between 39 F and 77 F (4 C and 25 C). Other leuprolide products should only be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C), and can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting them. Avoid freezing. Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure how to store your leuprolide product. 

Some leuprolide products are only given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store these products at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of leuprolide?

The most common side effects of leuprolide are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Short periods of feeling warm and sweating (hot flashes)
  • High blood pressure
  • Pain, itching, swelling, or redness near the injection site
  • Infection in the nose or throat, sore throat, or common cold symptoms
  • Tiredness
  • Peeing more than usual during the day
  • Pain in your joints, muscles, arms, or legs
  • Diarrhea and stomach problems
  • Fluid retention
  • Shrinking of the testicles
  • Weakness, body aches, and a general feeling of being unwell, tired, or not having your usual energy
  • Headache
  • Skin reactions (see below)

There may be other side effects of leuprolide that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of leuprolide?

While less common, the most serious side effects of leuprolide are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Leuprolide may cause allergic reactions, including a specific type of allergic reaction called DRESS. DRESS stands for drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms. It is also sometimes called multiorgan hypersensitivity. This is a reaction that can affect multiple parts of the body, including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Stop taking the medicine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives, which can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, or throat tightness
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain
  • Dark-colored pee
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish (also called jaundice)

Tumor Flare. Leuprolide can cause your tumor to grow and cause your prostate cancer symptoms to get worse, which is called a tumor flare. This may happen during the first few weeks of leuprolide treatment. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a tumor flare.

  • Trouble peeing
  • Blood in your urine
  • Pain that is worse than usual
  • Numbness
  • Lymph nodes that are sore or swollen

Metabolism Problems. Leuprolide can cause high blood sugar levels, which can lead to or worsen diabetes. Leuprolide can also increase the risk of high cholesterol and fatty liver. Keep all appointments with your health care provider for blood tests. Call your health care provider if you develop the following symptoms of high blood sugar. 

  • Thirsty more than usual
  • Peeing more than usual
  • Increase in hunger
  • Tiredness
  • Feeling sick to your stomach
  • Confusion
  • Your breath smelling fruity

Heart Attack and Stroke. Leuprolide can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Trouble breathing
  • Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm
  • Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness
  • Sudden weakness on one side of your body
  • Sudden and severe headache
  • Slurred speech or trouble understanding speech

Heart Rhythm Changes. Leuprolide may cause a rare, dangerous heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation and torsade de pointes. Some people have a higher risk of this, including people who have other people in their family who have had these conditions, low potassium or magnesium levels, or heart failure or take medicines that can prolong the QT interval. Tell your health care provider right away if you faint or have changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast or skipping heartbeat.

Seizures. Some people who have used leuprolide have reported having seizures. There are many different types of seizures and some of them are not easy to recognize. Call your health care provider if you have any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.

  • Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
  • Stiffening of your arms and legs
  • Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Falling or losing consciousness

Skin Reactions. Leuprolide may cause severe skin reactions, called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), that can lead to death if not treated. If you develop a rash, call your health care provider right away. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of SJS or TEN.

  • Painful, peeling skin that looks burned, red, purple, or discolored
  • Flat rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes
  • Flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, and muscle aches

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use leuprolide?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use leuprolide.

  • Camcevi
  • Eligard
  • Leuprolide
  • Lupron Depot
  • Any other medicine known as a GnRH agonist
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific leuprolide products they stock.

What should I know about leuprolide before using it?

There are multiple forms of leuprolide available. Read and follow the instructions for the product you have, and make sure you understand how to use it properly. If you have any questions, talk to your health care provider. Some forms of leuprolide are given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. 

Do not share leuprolide with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Do not use leuprolide unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed. 

Keep leuprolide out of the reach of children. Since this medicine may be kept in a refrigerator, take special precautions to keep it away from children who also use the refrigerator.

Leuprolide lowers your testosterone levels, which commonly causes certain changes in your body, such as trouble getting erections. It can also affect fertility. Talk with your health care provider if you have concerns about this. 

Keep all appointments for blood tests so that your health care provider can check your prostate and testosterone levels regularly while you are using leuprolide. This medicine may affect the results of certain hormone tests for up to three months after your last dose. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using leuprolide?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if leuprolide is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Cancer that has spread to the spine or blocks the flow of urine
  • Heart problems, such as heart failure or a heart rhythm problem called long QT syndrome
  • Problems with electrolytes
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Brain problems, such as seizures, stroke, or brain tumors
  • High cholesterol or other lipid problems 

Other Medicines and Supplements. Leuprolide may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using leuprolide, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. People who can become pregnant are not usually prescribed leuprolide. Leuprolide can cause harm to a fetus and should not be used while pregnant. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. This medicine is not usually prescribed to people who can become pregnant. 

Breastfeeding. People who can breastfeed are not usually prescribed leuprolide. It is not known if leuprolide passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. This medicine is not usually prescribed to people who can breastfeed.

Interactions

Does leuprolide interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between leuprolide and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect leuprolide.

Does leuprolide interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Leuprolide may interact with certain medicines, such as medicines that can cause QT prolongation, which is a potentially dangerous heart rhythm problem.  Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with leuprolide. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much leuprolide?

If you or someone else has used too much leuprolide, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of leuprolide?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only use the next dose. Do not use double or extra doses.

If you miss an appointment to get your leuprolide dose, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.