Lupron Depot

Lupron Depot is a prescription medication used to manage endometriosis, improve anemia caused by uterine fibroids, and treat symptoms of advanced prostate cancer. Lupron Depot belongs to a group of drugs called GnRH agonists, which work by decreasing the production of certain hormones in the body and reducing their effects.

This medication comes in long-acting suspension form and is injected directly into a muscle (IM) by a healthcare provider in a medical office or clinic and is usually given once a month or every 3, 4, or 6 months. 

Common side effects of Lupron Depot include hot flashes, headaches, and pain at the site of injection.

Lupron Depot can also cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Lupron Depot affects you.

Lupron Depot is a prescription medication used to manage endometriosis, improve anemia caused by uterine fibroids, and treat symptoms associated with advanced prostate cancer. 

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

• AbbVie Inc.

Serious side effects have been reported with Lupron Depot. See the “Lupron Depot Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Lupron Depot 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

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

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

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

No drug interactions have been reported by the manufacturer. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Serious side effects have been reported with Lupron Depot including the following:

• early-onset puberty. Consult your physician if you or your child experience symptoms of early-onset puberty including increased hair growth and thickening, deepening of the voice, acne, early breast development, and/or rapid height growth while taking Lupron Depot.
• seizures. Discontinue using Lupron Depot and get medical attention immediately if you experience seizures while taking Lupron Depot.
• urinary blockage. Consult your physician if you experience difficulty and/or pain upon urination while taking Lupron Depot.
• blood clots in the lungs. Discontinue using Lupron Depot and get medical attention immediately if you experience sudden difficultly breathing.
• increased risk for heart attack or stroke. Discontinue using Lupron Depot and get medical attention immediately if you experience sudden severe chest pain or headache with vision loss, facial numbness, and/or slurred speech.
• increased risk for osteoporosis or fractures. Consult with your physician if you are a women over age 55 or already have osteoporosis
• increased risk for diabetes or raised blood glucose (sugar) levels. Consult with your physician if you have been told you are at risk for diabetes.
• impotence. Consult with your physician if you are are trying to conceive while taking Lupron Depot.
• worsening of depression. Discontinue using Lupron Depot and get medical attention immediately if you experience depressed mood and/or mood changes.

Do not receive Lupron Depot if you:

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

Lupron Depot can also cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Lupron Depot affects you.

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 Depot, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

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

• are allergic to Lupron Depot or any of the components of Lupron Depot
• have a history of seizures
• have a history of brain trauma or injury
• have a history of heart disease, strokes, and/or heart attacks
• have osteoporosis
• have difficulty urinating or BPH
• have anemia
• have epilepsy
• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

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

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 Depot falls into category X. This medication is not to be used in women who are or may become pregnant. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if you become pregnant while taking the drug, be aware of the potential risk to the unborn child. The possibility exists that spontaneous abortion may occur if the drug is taken during pregnancy.

Patients should use a non-hormonal method of contraception. If you become pregnant while using Lupron Depot, tell your doctor immediately. If you become pregnant, your doctor will stop your treatment. 

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

It is not known if Lupron Depot crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Lupron Depot.

Receive Lupron Depot exactly as prescribed.

Lupron Depot comes in long-acting suspension form and is injected directly into a muscle (IM) by a healthcare provider in a medical office or clinic. Lupron Depot is usually given once a month or every 3, 4, or 6 months depending on the condition being treated. 

An physician's assessment of risk of heart disease and management of heart disease risk factors such as cigarette smoking is recommended before beginning treatment with Lupron Depot.

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

Receive this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication
• your weight
• your height
• your age
• your gender

The recommended dose range of Lupron Depot to treat endometriosis is 3.75 mg to 11.25 mg administered once every 3 months for a total of 6 months.

The recommended dose range of Lupron Depot to treat uterine fibroids is 3.75 mg to 11.25 mg administered once per treatment.

The recommended dose range of Lupron Depot to treat symptoms of advanced prostate cancer is 7.5 mg to 45 mg administered every 4 to 24 weeks depending on the severity of the disease.

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

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