Lupron Depot Ped (Leuprolide Acetate)
Lupron Depot Ped (Leuprolide Acetate) Dosage and Side Effects
LUPRON is used in the palliative treatment of prostate cancer.
Proper Use of this medication
Usual dose:
The recommended dose of LUPRON is 1 mg (0.2 mL), as a single daily subcutaneous injection.
Only a small amount of LUPRON is needed once a day. Use the recommended ½ cc presterilized disposable syringe.
Overdose:
In case of overdose, contact a healthcare practitioner, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
Missed dose:
Follow these instructions unless instructed otherwise by your doctor: if you miss an injection at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember, if you remember on the same day. If not, do not take the missed dose at all. Simply wait until it is time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at once.
Do not stop your daily injections because you feel better. You need one injection a day to make sure LUPRON keeps working for you.
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular medical visits.
Side Effects
Postmarketing reports of convulsions have been observed in patients taking LUPRON. These included patients in the female and pediatric populations, patients with a history of seizures, epilepsy, cerebrovascular disorders, central nervous system anomalies or tumors, and in patients on concomitant medications that have been associated with convulsions such as bupropion and SSRIs. Convulsions have also been reported in patients in the absence of any of the conditions mentioned above.
In the first few weeks of taking LUPRON, your testosterone levels will initially increase and then decline over several weeks. During this period some patients may experience worsening of urinary symptoms and/or a temporary increase in bone pain. Should this occur, contact your doctor immediately.
The following side effects are commonly experienced after the initial rise and occur due to decreasing levels of testosterone in the body:
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general pain or flu-like symptoms
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hot flashes/sweats
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joint and muscle pain
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emotional changes such as feeling depressed
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worsening urinary symptoms
Should these side effects persist or if they are severe, contact your doctor immediately.
Notify your doctor if you develop new or worsened symptoms of depression after beginning LUPRON treatment.
A local skin reaction may occur: itching, redness, burning, and/or swelling at the injection site. These reactions usually are mild and disappear after a few days. If they persist or worsen, tell your doctor.
Warnings and Precautions
Serious Warnings and Precautions
LUPRON should be prescribed by a doctor experienced with this type of drug.
LUPRON may cause:
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worsening of symptoms of prostate cancer at the beginning of the treatment
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bone thinning (osteoporosis).
BEFORE you use LUPRON talk to your doctor or pharmacist if:
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You are allergic to any component of the medication.
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You have previous history of obstructive uropathy (difficulty urinating due to a block in the urinary tract).
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You have family history of osteoporosis or are a chronic user of drugs that can reduce bone mass such as anticonvulsants, corticosteroids, alcohol and/or tobacco. LUPRON can cause thinning of the bone and may pose additional risk in patients with such a history.
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You have had or are suspected of having seizures, epilepsy, cerebrovascular disorder, central nervous system anomalies, or brain tumor.
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You are taking other medication(s) that have been associated with convulsions or seizures such as bupropion and any selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication for depression.
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You have a history of heart disease or disorders, or have a genetic heart condition called “long QT syndrome”.
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You have high blood sugar (diabetes). LUPRON may affect your blood sugar and you may need to test your blood sugar more frequently while receiving treatment with LUPRON.
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You have low red blood cell counts. LUPRON may cause a decrease in red blood cells (anemia).
During the first few weeks of treatment with LUPRON, you may experience worsening of symptoms or onset of new symptoms; including bone pain, presence of blood in the urine or difficulty urinating.
Interactions with this medication
Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking, have been taking, or are planning to take any other medicines, including nonprescription drugs (such as drug products for colds or nausea).
In particular, if you take the following medicines:
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medicines used to correct heart rhythm such as quinidine, disopyramide, amiodarone, dronedarone, sotalol, dofetilide, ibutilide (e.g., Corvert), flecainide (e.g., Tambocor), propafenone (e.g., Rythmol)
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medicines used to treat schizophrenia such as chlorpromazine
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medicines to treat depression such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline
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morphine-like medicines (e.g., methadone)
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certain antibiotics and antimicrobials such as erythromycin, clarithromycin (e.g., Biaxin), azithromycin (e.g., Zithromax), moxifloxacin (e.g., Avelox)
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antimalarials (e.g., quinine)
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antifungals
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medicines used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery such as ondansetron (e.g., Zofran)
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medicines used for the relief of bronchospasm in conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as salbutamol (e.g., Ventolin)
Other related products
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
