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Lupron Depot-Ped

Generic name: leuprolideLOO-proe-lide ]
Brand names: Camcevi, Eligard, Fensolvi, Lupron Depot, Lupron Depot-Ped
Drug classes: Gonadotropin releasing hormones, Hormones / antineoplastics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Oct 17, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is Lupron Depot-Ped?

Lupron Depot-Ped is used in adult males to treat the symptoms associated with advanced prostate cancer. This medicine is used in adult females alone or in combination to treat endometriosis (overgrowth of uterine lining outside of the uterus) or in combination with iron therapy to treat anemia caused by uterine fibroids.

Lupron Depot-Ped is also used to treat precocious (early-onset) puberty in both male and female children at least 2 years old.

Lupron Depot-Ped may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Lupron Depot-Ped side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (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 Lupron Depot-Ped, including new or worsening symptoms of sexual development in children. Tell your doctor if this continues for longer than 2 months.

Lupron Depot-Ped may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

Common side effects of Lupron Depot-Ped may include:

Lupron Depot-Ped can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using Lupron Depot-Ped.

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 Lupron Depot-Ped, 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 Lupron Depot-Ped if you are allergic to Lupron Depot-Ped or similar medicines such as buserelin, goserelin, histrelin, nafarelin, or if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

Lupron Depot-Ped 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.

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 Lupron Depot-Ped?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

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.

Lupron Depot-Ped is usually administered by a healthcare provider.

Lupron Depot-Ped is injected under the skin or into a muscle, once every month or once every 3 to 6 months. A healthcare provider may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

Your symptoms may become temporarily worse as your hormones adjust to Lupron Depot-Ped. A child using this medicine may have increased signs of puberty (such as vaginal bleeding) during the first weeks of treatment.

You may need frequent medical tests while using Lupron Depot-Ped.

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 Lupron Depot-Ped. Your pharmacist can provide more information about how to store this medicine.

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 Lupron Depot-Ped?

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

What other drugs will affect Lupron Depot-Ped?

Lupron Depot-Ped 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 affect Lupron Depot-Ped, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

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

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

Further information

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

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