Leuprolide Acetate
About
Leuprolide Acetate belongs to the class of medicines called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists primarily used to treat prostate cancer and endometriosis. Additionally, it is also used to treat precocious puberty (early puberty) in children. Leuprolide Acetate is used in combination with other medicines to treat anaemia caused by uterine fibroids.
Leuprolide Acetate contains Leuprolide acetate, which 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 growth in prostate cancer and helps treat endometriosis.
Leuprolide Acetate will be administered by a healthcare professional. The common side effects of Leuprolide Acetate include hot flashes, decreased sexual interest, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, upset stomach and injection site 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.
Avoid taking Leuprolide Acetate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Both women and men using Leuprolide Acetate should use effective contraception. Leuprolide Acetate may affect fertility, hence discuss with your doctor if you have any plans to start a family in the future. Leuprolide Acetate is not recommended for children below two years of age. Leuprolide Acetate may cause dizziness, hence drive only if you are alert.
Uses of Leuprolide Acetate
Medicinal Benefits
Leuprolide Acetate contains Leuprolide acetate, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. It treats prostate cancer in men, endometriosis in women and precocious puberty (early puberty) in children. Leuprolide Acetate is a synthetic hormone that acts similar to the GnRH, produced by the hypothalamus gland in the brain. Leuprolide Acetate works by lowering testosterone levels in men that help stop the growth of cancer cells in prostate cancer. Leuprolide Acetate reduces oestrogen (a hormone required for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sexual characteristics) levels in women, thus helping in endometriosis.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Leuprolide Acetate
- Weight changes
- Hot flushes
- Muscle weakness
- Bone Pain
- Loss of interest in sexual intercourse
- Tiredness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Breast tenderness
- Changes in breast size
- Mood swings
- Abdominal pain
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Leuprolide Acetate or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Leuprolide Acetate is not indicated for use in pregnancy and breastfeeding women. If you are using Leuprolide Acetate, make sure to use reliable forms of contraception. Leuprolide Acetate may also affect fertility in men, hence discuss with your doctor if you have any plans to start a family in the future. Leuprolide Acetate is not recommended for children younger than two years of age. If you have a seizure or unusual changes in mood or behaviour, inform your doctor immediately. Before starting Leuprolide Acetate, let your doctor know if you have liver or kidney diseases, heart diseases, recent heart attack, depression, brain tumours, electrolyte imbalance, diabetes, fits, weak bones and high cholesterol levels. Leuprolide Acetate 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 Acetate. Leuprolide Acetate 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 Acetate may interact with heart rhythm problems treating drugs (quinidine, procainamide, disopyramide, amiodarone, sotalol), steroids (dexamethasone, methylprednisolone) and antibiotics (moxifloxacin), opioid pain killers (methadone)antipsychotics and antidepressants (citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline).
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Leuprolide Acetate 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 Acetate to avoid unpleasant side-effects. Alcohol intake, along with Leuprolide Acetate, may cause increased dizziness.
Pregnancy
unsafeLeuprolide Acetate is a pregnancy category X drug. Leuprolide Acetate should not be used during pregnancy because it causes harm to the fetus (newborn baby). Women of childbearing potential must use an effective method of contraception while taking Leuprolide Acetate. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Breast Feeding
unsafeLeuprolide Acetate 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 Acetate causes dizziness and affects your ability to drive. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience any unmanageable side effects with Leuprolide Acetate.
Liver
cautionIf you have had a history or evidence of any liver-related diseases, please consult the doctor before taking Leuprolide Acetate. 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 Acetate. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Children
cautionLeuprolide Acetate is not recommended in children younger than two years of age and should be used with caution and only if absolutely warranted in children under 12.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a fibre-rich diet and include 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.
- Opt for a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products.
Special Advise
- Your doctor may advise liver function tests to monitor your liver health since Leuprolide Acetate may cause increased liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, serum aspartate and serum transaminases).
- Leuprolide Acetate may cause increased serum glucose levels (hyperglycaemia), hence inform your doctor if you have diabetes before starting Leuprolide Acetate.
- Your doctor may advise blood tests, electrolyte levels and regular examinations of the prostate.
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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 that secretes fluid that nourishes and protects sperm) found in men. The symptoms include difficulty in urination, pain, numbness or sexual problems. It is the most common type of cancer in men.
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: 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 Acetate contains Leuprolide acetate, 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 growth in prostate cancer in men and shrinks endometriosis in women.
Leuprolide Acetate affects the hair, making it thin which further causes loss of hair. Hair reduction possibly happens due to the estrogen lowering effect of Leuprolide Acetate. These effects are not long-lasting and may return after some time. If you have any concerns, contact your doctor for further advice.
Leuprolide Acetate 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 Acetate.
Leuprolide Acetate 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 Acetate and inform your doctor if you have diabetes before taking Leuprolide Acetate.
Leuprolide Acetate may worsen your mood disorders like depression. Hence it is advised to use Leuprolide Acetate only when you are free from any kind of mental problems. Please consult your doctor for more information.
Leuprolide Acetate 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 Acetate.
Leuprolide Acetate is not recommended for patients suffering from heart rhythm problems such as arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) as it may increase the risk of cardiac disease. Therefore, inform your doctor if you have any heart problems before taking Leuprolide Acetate.
