Leuprolide
About
Leuprolide belongs to the class of 'anticancer or anti-neoplastic agents', primarily used to treat prostate cancer in men, breast cancer and endometriosis in women and precocious puberty (early puberty) in children. Prostate cancer is the prostate gland's cancer (a small gland under the bladder secretes fluid that nourishes and protects sperm) found only in men. Breast cancer is a type of cancer that develops in breast cells stimulated by a female sex hormone called oestrogen. Endometriosis is a disorder in which tissue lining the uterus grows outside the uterine cavity. Precocious puberty occurs when a child's body changes into that of an adult or experiences puberty too soon.
Leuprolide contains Leuprolide that belongs to the class of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists. It is a synthetic hormone that acts similar to the GnRH, produced by the hypothalamus gland in the brain. It works by inhibiting the synthesis of the natural male hormone, testosterone in men and oestrogen in women. This process of lowering hormone levels can decrease cancer cell's growth in prostate cancer in men and shrinks endometriosis and breast cancer in women.
Take Leuprolide as prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will decide the dosage depending on your medical condition. The common side effects of Leuprolide include hot flashes, decreased sexual interest, shrinking of the testicles, breast tenderness or swelling, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, upset stomach and injection site pain reaction. These side effects are not familiar to everyone and vary individually. If you notice any side effects that are not manageable, please consult your doctor.
To treat your condition effectually continue taking Leuprolide for as long as your doctor has prescribed. Do not stop Leuprolide midway. Avoid taking Leuprolide if you are pregnant or breastfeeding because this Leuprolide can cause harmful effects on the unborn baby. Both women and men using this Leuprolide should use birth control to avoid pregnancy. Leuprolide may also affect fertility in men, hence discuss with your doctor if you have any plans to start a family in the future. Leuprolide is not recommended for children below two years of age. Leuprolide may make you feel dizzy, hence drive when you are alert only.
Uses of Leuprolide
Medicinal Benefits
Leuprolide contains Leuprolide, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. It treats prostate cancer in men, endometriosis in women and precocious puberty (early puberty) in children. Leuprolide is a synthetic hormone that acts similar to the GnRH, produced by the hypothalamus gland in the brain. Being an anti-neoplastic or anticancer agent, Leuprolide works by lowering testosterone levels in men that help stop the growth of cancer cells in prostate cancer. Leuprolide reduces oestrogen (a hormone required for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sexual characteristics) levels in women, thus helps in shrinking of endometriosis and breast cancer.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Leuprolide
- Weight changes
- Hot flushes
- Muscle weakness
- Bone Pain
- Loss of interest in sexual intercourse
- Inability to have an erection
- Tiredness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Headaches
- Breast tenderness
- Changes in breast size
- Mood swings
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting (feeling sick)
- Acne
- Vaginal Bleeding
- Spotting
- Injection site reactions (skin hardening, redness, pain, abscesses, swelling, nodules, ulcers and skin damage)
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Leuprolide or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Leuprolide can affect the unborn baby when used in pregnancy. Hence, Leuprolide is not indicated for use in pregnancy and breastfeeding women. If you are using Leuprolide, make sure to use reliable forms of contraception to prevent pregnancy during the course. Leuprolide may also affect fertility in men, hence discuss with your doctor if you have any plans to start a family in the future. Use the Leuprolide with caution in elderly patients and children. Leuprolide is not recommended for children younger than two years of age. Your symptoms may become temporarily worse when you first start taking Leuprolide. Inform your doctor if this continues for longer than 2 months. If you have a seizure or unusual changes in mood or behaviour, inform your doctor immediately. Before starting Leuprolide, let your doctor know if you have any medical history of liver or kidney diseases, heart diseases, recent heart attack, depression, brain tumours, electrolyte imbalance, diabetes, fits, weak bones and high cholesterol levels. Leuprolide may cause QT prolongation (heart muscle takes longer than normal to recharge between beats) and may affect heart rhythm, hence heart patients should be cautious while taking Leuprolide. Leuprolide can make you feel dizzy and affects your mental ability to drive. Do not drive or operate machinery if you are not mentally alert and focused.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Leuprolide may interact with heart rhythm problems treating drugs (quinidine, procainamide, disopyramide, amiodarone, sotalol), steroids (dexamethasone, methylprednisolone) and prednisone antibiotics (moxifloxacin), opioid pain killers (methadone) and antipsychotics (citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline).
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Leuprolide should be used with caution in cases of liver or kidney diseases, heart diseases, recent heart attack, depression, brain tumours, electrolyte imbalance, diabetes, fits, weak bones and high cholesterol levels.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Leuprolide to avoid unpleasant side-effects. Alcohol intake, along with Leuprolide, may cause increased drowsiness.
Pregnancy
unsafeLeuprolide is a pregnancy category X drug. Leuprolide should not be used during pregnancy because it causes harm to the fetus (newborn baby). Both women of childbearing potential and men must use an effective method of contraception while taking fluorouracil and for at least 6 months afterwards. Please consult your doctor about any concerns regarding this.
Breast Feeding
unsafeLeuprolide should not be taken during breastfeeding as it passes into the breastmilk and may harm the nursing baby. It is contraindicated in breastfeeding mothers.
Driving
cautionLeuprolide causes dizziness and affects your ability to drive. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience any unmanageable side effects with Leuprolide.
Liver
cautionIf you have had a history or evidence of any liver-related diseases, please consult the doctor before taking Leuprolide. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Kidney
cautionIf you have had a history or evidence of any kidney-related diseases, please consult the doctor before taking Leuprolide. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Children
cautionLeuprolide is not recommended in children younger than two years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Take the medication as directed by the doctor and at regular intervals.
- Maintain a fibre-rich diet and include healthy carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Include fish, soy, tomatoes, Brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli and oils containing omega-3 fatty acids such as olive oil as these foods may reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
- Avoid grilled meat, red meat, saturated fat found in animal products, milk and dairy products.
- Exercise regularly to lose weight as obesity is also considered a risk factor for prostate cancer.
- Eat at regular intervals.
- Keep your weight under control with BMI 19.5-24.9.
- Opt for a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, veggies and low-fat dairy products.
Special Advise
- Your doctor may advise liver function tests to monitor your liver health since Leuprolide may cause increased liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, serum aspartate and serum transaminases).
- Leuprolide may cause increased serum glucose levels (hyperglycaemia), hence inform your doctor if you have diabetes before starting Leuprolide.
- Your doctor may advise blood tests, electrolyte levels and regular examinations of the prostate.
- It is advised to get an electrocardiogram (ECG) done timely to monitor your heart health.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Prostate cancer: It is the cancer of the prostate gland (a small gland under the bladder secretes fluid that nourishes and protects sperm) found only in men. The symptoms include difficulty in urination, pain, numbness or sexual problems. It is the most common type of cancer in men.
Breast cancer: It is a type of cancer that develops in breast cells stimulated by a female sex hormone called oestrogen. Breast cancer may form in lobules (glands that produce milk), ducts of the breast (the pathway that brings milk from glands to the nipple), the fatty tissue or the fibrous connective tissue within the breast. The tumour cells invade other healthy breast cells and travel to lymph nodes, a primary pathway for the cancer cells to move to other parts of the body.
Endometriosis: It is a disorder in which tissue lining the uterus grows outside the uterine cavity. It commonly involves ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining the pelvis. Symptoms of endometriosis include pain and irregular periods.
Precocious puberty occurs when a child's body changes into that of an adult or experiences puberty too soon. If puberty begins before age 8 in girls and before age 9 in boys, it is considered precocious puberty. Symptoms in a girl include first period and breast development, whereas, in a boy, it causes enlarged testicles and penis, deepening voice and facial hair.
FAQs
Leuprolide contains Leuprolide, a synthetic hormone that helps reduce the testosterone and oestrogen hormones in men and women, respectively. This process of lowering hormone levels can decrease cancer cell's growth in prostate cancer in men and shrinks endometriosis in women.
Yes, Leuprolide commonly affects the hair by making them thin which further causes loss of hair. However, it is not very common. Hair reduction possibly happens due to the estrogen lowering effect of Leuprolide. These effects are not long-lasting and may return after some time. If it matters to you then inform your doctor for further advice.
Leuprolide may cause impotence and affect fertility in men. It is advised to speak to your doctor if you plan to have a family in the future before starting Leuprolide.
Leuprolide should be used with caution in diabetic patients as it may increase the risk of high blood sugar levels. Therefore, regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is recommended while taking Leuprolide and inform your doctor if you have diabetes before taking Leuprolide.
Leuprolide may worsen your mood disorders like depression. Hence it is advised to use Leuprolide only when you are free from any kind of mental problems. Please consult your doctor for more information.
Leuprolide is not recommended for patients suffering from heart rhythm problems such as arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) as it may increase the risk of heart rhythm problems. Therefore, inform your doctor if you have any heart problems before taking Leuprolide.
Leuprolide may cause osteoporosis (bone thinning) due to the reduction of estrogen in the body. Regular bone density tests may help you monitor osteoporosis. Contact your doctor if you observe any sign of tendon pain or swelling while taking Leuprolide.
