Lupron

Lupron treats the symptoms of prostate cancer. This medication treats only the symptoms of prostate cancer and does not treat the cancer itself.

Lupron Overview

Updated: 

Lupron is a prescription hormone medication used for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Lupron is also available to treat central precocious puberty (early onset of puberty) in children. 

Lupron belongs to a group of drugs called GnRH agonists, which work by decreasing the amount of certain hormones in the body.

For the treatment of prostate cancer, Lupron comes as a solution that is injected just under the skin daily. 

For the treatment of central precocious puberty, Lupron is available as an injection and is administered under the skin daily until you get an adequate response. 

Common side effects include hot flashes, generalized pain, and irritation or pain at the site of injection.

How was your experience with Lupron?

First, a little about yourself

Tell us about yourself in a few words?

What tips would you provide a friend before taking Lupron?

What are you taking Lupron for?

Choose one
  • Other
  • Breast Neoplasms
  • Endometrial Neoplasms
  • Endometriosis
  • Infertility
  • Leiomyoma
  • Ovarian Neoplasms
  • Prostatic Hyperplasia
  • Prostatic Neoplasms
  • Puberty, Precocious

How long have you been taking it?

Choose one
  • Less than a week
  • A couple weeks
  • A month or so
  • A few months
  • A year or so
  • Two years or more

How well did Lupron work for you?

Did you experience many side effects while taking this drug?

How likely would you be to recommend Lupron to a friend?

Lupron Cautionary Labels

precautionsprecautionsprecautionsprecautions

Uses of Lupron

Lupron is a prescription hormone medication used for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Lupron is also available to treat central precocious puberty (early onset of puberty) in children. 

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Manufacturer

Lupron Drug Class

Lupron is part of the drug class:

Side Effects of Lupron

Serious side effects have been reported. See the “Drug Precautions” section.

Common side effects include:

  • hot flashes
  • headache
  • generalized pain
  • irritation or pain at the site of injection
  • mood changes
  • fatigue
  • acne
  • rash
  • swelling
  • vaginal bleeding or discharge, dryness, and itching
  • weight gain

Common side effects of Lupron in children include:

  • generalized pain
  • acne
  • injection site reactions
  • rash
  • vaginal bleeding or discharge and itching

This is not a complete list of Lupron side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Lupron Interactions

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

  • amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone)
  • bupropion (Zyban, Wellbutrin)
  • dexamethasone (Decadron)
  • disopyramide (Norpace)
  • methylprednisolone (Medrol)
  • prednisone (Deltasone)
  • procainamide (Procanbid)
  • quinidine
  • sotalol (Betapace)
  • seizure medications
  • selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as escitalopram (Lexapro), sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (Celexa), vilazodone (Viibryd), paroxetine (Paxil), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), and fluvoxamine (Luvox)

This is not a complete list of Lupron drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Lupron Precautions

Serious side effects have been reported with Lupron including:

  • signs of puberty
  • seizures
  • urinary blockage
  • increased risk for heart attack or stroke
  • increased risk for osteoporosis or fractures
  • increased risk for diabetes or raised blood glucose (sugar) levels
  • impotence
  • worsening of depression

Do not take Lupron if you:

  • are allergic to any of its ingredients
  • have vaginal bleeding
  • are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
  • are breastfeeding

Lupron Food Interactions

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Lupron, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Inform MD

Before taking Lupron, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

  • are allergic Lupron
  • have a history of seizures
  • have a history of brain trauma or injury
  • have a history of heart attack
  • have osteoporosis
  • are unable to urinate
  • have anemia
  • have epilepsy
  • are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
  • are breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Lupron and Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Lupron falls into category X. Lupron may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Therefore, the possibility exists that spontaneous abortion may occur if the drug is administered during pregnancy. If this drug is administered during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking any formulation of Lupron, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus.

Lupron and Lactation

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known whether this medication is excreted in human milk. Nursing mothers should not use Lupron.

Lupron Usage

Administer Lupron exactly as prescribed.

Lupron in the treatment of Prostate Cancer:

  • Lupron comes as a solution that is injected just under the skin daily.

Lupron for the treatment of central precocious puberty:

  • Lupron comes as a solution that is injected just under the skin daily. The dose will be based on body weight. The dose will be increased until lab work proves an adequate response. 
  • Prior to starting therapy with Lupron, the parent or guardian must be aware of the importance of continuous therapy. Adherence to daily drug administration schedules must be accepted if therapy is to be successful. Irregular dosing could restart the maturation process.
    • During the first 2 months of therapy, a female may experience menses or spotting. If bleeding continues beyond the second month, notify the physician.
    • Any irritation at the injection site should be reported to the physician immediately. If the child has experienced an allergic reaction to other drugs like Lupron, this drug should not be used.
    • Report any unusual signs or symptoms to the physician, like continued pubertal changes, substantial mood swings or behavioral changes.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of Lupron at the same time.

Lupron Overdose

If you administer too much Lupron, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center or seek emergency medical attention right away.

Other Requirements

  • Do not store near a radiator or other very warm place.
  • Do not freeze.
  • Protect from light
  • Store vial in carton until use.
  • Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.