Leuprolide (Systemic)

Brand Names : Lupron, Lupron Depot, Lupron Depot-Ped, Lupron Depot-3 Month 11.25 mg, Lupron Depot-3 Month 22.5 mg, Lupron Depot-4 Month 30 mg, Viadur, Lupron-3 Month SR Depot 22.5 mg, leuprorelin

Proper Use of This Medicine

Leuprolide comes with patient directions. Read these instructions carefully .

Use the syringes provided in the kit. Other syringes may not provide the correct dose. These disposable syringes and needles are already sterilized and are designed to be used one time only and then discarded. If you have any questions about the use of disposable syringes, check with your health care professional.

Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor . Do not use more or less of it, and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. The exact amount of medicine you need has been carefully worked out. Using too much may increase the chance of side effects, while using too little may not improve your condition.

For adult patients receiving leuprolide for anemia caused by tumors of the uterus or for endometriosis :

• Leuprolide sometimes causes unwanted effects such as hot flashes or decreased interest in sex. It may also cause a temporary increase in pain when you first begin to use it. However, it is very important that you continue to use the medicine, even after you begin to feel better. Do not stop using this medicine without first checking with your doctor .

For adult patients receiving leuprolide for cancer of the prostate :

• Leuprolide sometimes causes unwanted effects such as hot flashes or decreased sexual ability. It may also cause a temporary increase in pain or difficulty in urinating, as well as temporary numbness or tingling of hands or feet or weakness when you first begin to use it. However, it is very important that you continue to use the medicine, even after you begin to feel better. Do not stop using this medicine without first checking with your doctor .

Dosing - The dose of leuprolide will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of leuprolide. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so:

• For short-acting (daily) injection dosage forms:
  • For cancer of the prostate :
    • Adults - 1 milligram (mg) injected under the skin once a day.
  • For central precocious puberty :
    • Children - Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. It is injected under the skin once a day. The dose should be changed over time as weight changes.

• For long-acting (1-month) injection dosage forms:
  • For anemia caused by tumors of the uterus :
    • Adults - 3.75 milligrams (mg) injected into a muscle once a month for up to three months.
  • For cancer of the prostate :
    • Adults - 7.5 milligrams (mg) injected into a muscle once a month.
  • For central precocious puberty :
    • Children - Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by the doctor. It is injected into a muscle once a month. The dose should be changed over time as weight changes.
  • For endometriosis :
    • Adults - 3.75 milligrams (mg) injected into a muscle once a month for up to six months.

• For long-acting (3-month) injection dosage forms:
  • For anemia caused by tumors of the uterus :
    • Adults - 11.25 milligrams (mg) injected into a muscle as a single injection to last for three months.
  • For cancer of the prostate :
    • Adults - 22.5 milligrams (mg) injected into a muscle once every three months.
  • For endometriosis :
    • Adults - 11.25 milligrams (mg) injected into a muscle once every three months for up to six months.

• For long-acting (4-month) injection dosage form:
  • For cancer of the prostate :
    • Adults - 30 milligrams (mg) injected into a muscle once every four months.

• For long-acting (12-month) implant dosage form:
  • For cancer of the prostate :
    • Adults - one implant every 12 months.

Missed dose - If you are using this medicine every day and you miss a dose, give it as soon as possible. However, if you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If you are using this medicine once a month or every 3 to 12 months and you miss a dose, receive it as soon as possible, and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Dispose of used syringes properly in the container provided. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.