Leuprorelin
About
Leuprorelin belongs to the class of synthetic hormones used in the treatment of prostate cancer in men, endometriosis, and hormone-responsive breast cancer in women. Also, Leuprorelin is used to treat premature puberty in children. Prostate cancer is cancer of the prostate gland (a small gland under the bladder that produces semen) found only in men. The symptoms include difficulty in urination, pain, numbness, or sexual problems.
Leuprorelin contains Leuprorelin, a synthetic hormone that works similarly to the natural hormone, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), by acting on the pituitary gland and decreasing the levels of testosterone in men and estrogen in women. Thereby, Leuprorelin is used in the treatment of prostate cancer by inhibiting the growth of the tumor or causing it to shrink.
Use Leuprorelin as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Leuprorelin for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience pain, redness, swelling, or skin hardening at the injection site, muscle weakness, bone pain, inability to have an erection, breast tenderness, headache, vaginal dryness, changes in breast size, acne, or mood swings. Most of these side effects of Leuprorelin do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Leuprorelin or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Leuprorelin is contraindicated in pregnant and breastfeeding women. It is advised to use effective contraceptive measures to avoid pregnancy while taking Leuprorelin as it may cause birth defects. Leuprorelin should be used with caution in children. You are recommended to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol with Leuprorelin as it may increase the risk of bone density loss. Drive only if you are alert as Leuprorelin may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or vision disturbances.
Uses of Leuprorelin
Medicinal Benefits
Leuprorelin contains Leuprorelin which works similarly to the natural hormone, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), by acting on the pituitary gland and decreasing the levels of testosterone in men and oestrogen in women. Thereby, Leuprorelin is used in the treatment of prostate cancer by inhibiting the growth of the tumour or causing it to shrink. Also, Leuprorelin is used to treat hormone-responsive breast cancer in pre and postmenopausal women. By reducing testosterone and oestrogen levels, Leuprorelin delays the onset of puberty in children.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Leuprorelin
In men:
- Muscle weakness
- Bone pain
- Inability to have an erection
- Tiredness
- Decreased interest in sex
In women:
- Breast tenderness
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Headache
- Vaginal dryness
- Changes in breast size
In children:
- Acne
- Mood swings
- Vaginal bleeding
- Pain, redness, swelling or skin hardening at the injection site
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Leuprorelin or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Leuprorelin is contraindicated in pregnant and breastfeeding women. It is advised to use effective non-hormonal contraceptives such as condoms to avoid pregnancy while taking Leuprorelin as it may cause birth defects. Leuprorelin should be used with caution in children. You are advised to quit smoking as it may increase the risk of prostate cancer. You are recommended to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol with Leuprorelin as it may increase the risk of bone density loss. Drive only if you are alert as Leuprorelin may cause dizziness, drowsiness or vision disturbances.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Leuprorelin may interact with antibiotics (moxifloxacin), heart-related medicines (procainamide, quinidine, sotalol, amiodarone), narcotic analgesics (methadone), antipsychotics (clozapine).
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have abnormal vaginal bleeding, diabetes, osteoporosis (thinning of bones), depression, blood vessel disorder, seizures (fits), mental illness, spinal cord injury, brain tumor or heart disease, inform your doctor before taking Leuprorelin.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid or limit alcohol consumption with Leuprorelin as it may increase the risk of bone density loss.
Pregnancy
unsafeLeuprorelin is not recommended for pregnant women as it may cause birth defects. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
unsafeLeuprorelin is contraindicated in breastfeeding women. Please consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionLeuprorelin may cause dizziness, drowsiness or disturbance in the vision. Therefore, avoid driving if you experience any of these symptoms after taking Leuprorelin.
Liver
cautionTake Leuprorelin with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Leuprorelin with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
cautionLeuprorelin should be used for children under the supervision of a paediatric endocrinologist.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- 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, and saturated fat found in animal products, milk, and dairy products as they may increase the risk of prostate cancer.
- Exercise regularly to lose weight as obesity is also considered a risk factor for prostate cancer.
- Quit smoking to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
- Avoid fast food, fried food, processed meats, refined carbs, and added sugar.
Special Advise
Leuprorelin may cause changes in blood cholesterol levels or affect values in liver functioning tests. Therefore, inform your doctor that you are taking Leuprorelin before undergoing any tests.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Prostate cancer: It is the cancer of the prostate gland (a small gland under the bladder that produces semen) found only in men. The symptoms include difficulty in urination, pain, numbness, or sexual problems. Certain factors increase the risk of prostate cancer, such as the family history of prostate cancer, older age, obesity, or genetic changes.
Breast cancer: It is a type of cancer that develops in breast cells that are stimulated by a female sex hormone called estrogen. Breast cancer may form in lobules (glands that produce milk), ducts of the breast (the pathway that brings milk from glands to the nipple), and in the fatty tissue or the fibrous connective tissue within the breast.
Endometriosis: It is a disorder in which the tissue lining the uterus (endometrium) grows on the ovaries, bowel, or tissues lining the pelvis. The most common symptom is pelvic pain. Other symptoms of endometriosis include lower back pain, painful periods, heavy menstrual bleeding, pain following sexual intercourse, or discomfort with bowel movements.
Premature puberty: It is a condition in which the signs of puberty (physical changes in which a child’s body matures into an adult body) start early in children, i.e., before 9 years in girls and before 10 years in boys.
FAQs
Leuprorelin contains Leuprorelin, a synthetic hormone that works similar to the natural hormone, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by acting on the pituitary gland and decreases the levels of testosterone in men and oestrogen in women. Thereby, Leuprorelin is used in the treatment of prostate cancer by inhibiting the growth of tumour or causing it to shrink.
Leuprorelin may stop menstrual periods. However, after 7 to 12 weeks of taking the final dose of injection, periods will resume. Please consult a doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Leuprorelin should be used with caution in diabetic patients as it may increase the risk of high blood sugar levels. Therefore, it is advised to regularly monitor blood sugar levels while taking Leuprorelin and inform your doctor if you have diabetes before taking Leuprorelin.
Leuprorelin may be used to treat endometriosis (tissue lining the uterus known as endometrium grows outside the uterus). Leuprorelin reduces oestrogen levels and causes menopause temporarily. Thereby, shrink the tissue outside the uterus or stop its growth.
Leuprorelin may decrease bone density, especially when used for the treatment of premature puberty in children. Therefore, regular monitoring of bone density is recommended while taking Leuprorelin.
Leuprorelin should be used with extreme caution in patients suffering from depression as it may worsen the condition. Therefore, inform your doctor if you have any history of depression before taking Leuprorelin.
