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Eligard

Generic name: leuprolideLOO-proe-lide ]
Drug classes: Gonadotropin releasing hormones, Hormones / antineoplastics

Medically reviewed by Sophia Entringer, PharmD. Last updated on Oct 26, 2023.

What is Eligard?

Eligard injection is used to treat the symptoms associated with advanced prostate cancer.

Eligard treats only the symptoms of prostate cancer and does not treat the cancer itself.

Eligard belongs to a class of medications called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists. Leuprolide works by decreasing the amount of certain hormones in the body.

Eligard side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Eligard (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Call your doctor at once if you have a seizure, unusual changes in mood or behavior (crying spells, irritability, restlessness, anger, aggression), severe headaches, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, or pain behind your eyes.

Your symptoms may become temporarily worse when you first start using Eligard. Tell your doctor if this continues for longer than 2 months.

Eligard may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

Common Eligard side effects may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Your symptoms may become temporarily worse when you first start using Eligard, including new or worsening symptoms of sexual development in children. Tell your doctor if this continues for longer than 2 months.

Call your doctor at once if you have a seizure, unusual changes in mood or behavior, severe headaches, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, or pain behind your eyes.

Do not use if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control. Do not use if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Eligard if you are allergic to leuprolide or similar medicines such as buserelin, goserelin, histrelin, nafarelin, or if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor.

To make sure Eligard is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Eligard usually causes women to stop ovulating or having menstrual periods. However, you may still be able to get pregnant. Use barrier birth control to prevent pregnancy: condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, or contraceptive sponge.

Call your doctor if your periods continue while you are being treated with this medicine.

Leuprolide may cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

How should I use Eligard?

Use Eligard as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

There are many brands, strengths, or forms of leuprolide used to treat different conditions. Avoid medication errors by using only the medicine your doctor prescribes.

Eligard is usually administered by a healthcare provider.

Eligard is injected under the skin or into a muscle, once every month or once every 3 to 6 months.

Your symptoms may become temporarily worse as your hormones adjust to Eligard.

You may need frequent medical tests while using Eligard.

Do not reuse a needle or syringe. Place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container and dispose of it following state or local laws. Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Follow all storage instructions provided with Eligard. Your pharmacist can provide more information about how to store this medicine.

Usual Adult Dose for Prostate Cancer:

Eligard: administered by subcutaneous injection and provides continuous release of leuprolide acetate over a one, three, four, or six-month period:

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss a dose or miss an appointment for your injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using Eligard?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What other drugs will affect Eligard?

Eligard can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.

Other drugs may interact with leuprolide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Manufacturer

Distributed by: Tolmar Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA.

Popular FAQ

Lupron Depot and Eligard are brand name medicines that both contain the active ingredient leuprolide acetate. Both Lupron Depot and Eligard are prescribed to treat the symptoms of advanced prostate cancer. Lupron Depot is also approved to treat endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or central precocious puberty (CPP) in children (early puberty). Continue reading

Eligard (leuprolide acetate) is usually given as a long-term therapy for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Hormone therapy may be continued for as long as the treatment continues to be beneficial and the side effects are tolerated. Studies have shown that continuation of therapy with leuprolide acetate maintains testosterone below the castrate level for up to seven years. Continue reading

Eligard (leuprolide acetate) is not a chemotherapy drug. It is a prescription hormone medicine used to treat advanced prostate cancer. Prostate cancer growth can be stimulated by the hormone testosterone. Eligard works by reducing the amount of testosterone in your blood. It is not a cure for prostate cancer. Continue reading

Eligard (leuprolide acetate) is an injectable suspension injected under your skin (subcutaneously) once every month or once every 3, 4 or 6 months, based on the dosing schedule that works best for you. Your doctor will give you this injection in the doctor’s office, a clinic or in the hospital. It is used for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Continue reading

In clinical studies evaluating endometriosis, 95% of women started their periods (normal menstrual cycle) in the third month after treatment ended with Lupron Depot 3.75 mg. Continue reading

During an vitro fertilization (IVF) protocol, your doctor may use leuprolide (Lupron) injection as part of an ovarian stimulation regimen. Leuprolide is a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. It reduces the amount of hormone that stimulates ovulation. This helps to control your ovulatory cycle and prevent premature ovulation, so that your doctor can have predictable access to your eggs for IVF. The brand name Lupron is no longer available in the U.S., but generic options are available. Continue reading

Yes, you may still become pregnant if you are using Lupron Depot. Lupron Depot is not a method of birth control. Even though you may not have a period, unprotected intercourse could result in pregnancy. Lupron Depot can cause harm to an unborn child. You should use a reliable non-hormonal birth control such as condoms, a diaphragm with contraceptive jelly, or a copper IUD to prevent pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about use of birth control before you start treatment with Lupron Depot. Continue reading

No, Firmagon (degarelix) is not the same as Lupron but they are both hormone deprivation treatments that may be used for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Firmagon takes a more direct path to testosterone suppression than Lupron. Firmagon is an antagonist that immediately stops testosterone production, preventing a testosterone surge and eliminating the need for any additional therapies. Lupron is an agonist that desensitizes the GnRH receptor but causes an initial surge in testosterone and may require additional medication. Continue reading

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Eligard only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.