Lupron Depot
Leuprolide (Lupron Depot) is an injection that treats endometriosis and uterine fibroids (growths in the womb that are typically noncancerous). It's available in two different strengths to allow for a dosing schedule that's either once a month or once every 3 months. This medication is typically given by a healthcare provider. Common side effects of leuprolide (Lupron Depot) include hot flashes and headaches. It's available as brand name only.
What is Leuprolide (Lupron Depot)?
What is Leuprolide (Lupron Depot) used for?
- Endometriosis
- Before fibroid surgery to help improve anemia due to bleeding from uterine fibroids
How Leuprolide (Lupron Depot) works
Leuprolide (Lupron Depot) is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, which is a lab-made hormone similar to the GnRH your body naturally makes. Over time, it lowers estrogen levels in the body. Estrogen is thought to play a role in endometriosis and uterine fibroid growth. By lowering estrogen in your body, leuprolide (Lupron Depot) can help treat symptoms of endometriosis and lessen bleeding from uterine fibroids.
Drug facts
Side effects of Leuprolide (Lupron Depot)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Side effects for the 3.75 mg dose of leuprolide (Lupron Depot) when used by itself are listed below.
Endometriosis
- Hot flashes or sweats (84%)
- Headache (32%)
- Vaginal inflammation (28%)
- Depression (22%)
- Pain (19%)
- Weight changes (13%)
- Nausea or vomiting (13%)
- Lower sex drive (11%)
- Dizziness (11%)
- Acne (10%)
- Skin reactions (10%)
Uterine fibroids
- Hot flashes or sweats (73%)
- Headache (26%)
- Vaginal inflammation (11%)
- Depression (11%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Swelling
- Upset stomach
- Movement problems
- Joint problems
- Tingling sensation
- Breast tenderness
- Nervousness
- Low energy
Leuprolide (Lupron Depot) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reaction: rash; trouble breathing; swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
The following Leuprolide (Lupron Depot) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
For adults
Less common
Fast or irregular heartbeat
For males only (adults)
More common
Arm, back, or jaw pain
bloody or cloudy urine
blurred vision
chest pain or discomfort
difficult, burning, or painful urination
difficulty with moving
dizziness
frequent urge to urinate
headache
increased urge to urinate during the night
muscle pain or stiffness
nervousness
pain in the joints
pale skin
pounding in the ears
slow or fast heartbeat
sweating
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
waking to urinate at night
Rare
Pain in the groin or legs (especially in the calves)
Incidence not known
Altered mental status
cold, clammy, pale skin
confusion
double vision
irregular heartbeat
visual changes
vomiting
For females only (adults)
For children
More common
Body aches or pain
chills
cough producing mucus
difficulty in breathing
ear congestion
headache
loss of voice
muscle aches
noisy breathing
pain or redness at the injection site
runny or stuffy nose
tightness in the chest
unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
Irritability
mood or mental changes
Rare
Burning, itching, or swelling at the injection site
Incidence not known
Seizures
For females only (children)—expected in first few weeks
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
For adults
More common
Sudden sweating and feeling of warmth (hot flashes)
For females only (adults)
For males only (adults)
More common
Back pain
chills
general feeling of discomfort or illness
loss of appetite
pain or discomfort at the injection site
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
shivering
unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness
Less common
Decreased size of the testicles
inability to have or keep an erection
For children
More common
feeling of warmth
redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
stomach pain
vomiting
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Leuprolide (Lupron Depot)
Pros
- Only need to get injections monthly or every 3 months, depending on the dose
- Works well to shrink uterine fibroids and reduce bleeding before surgery
- Works well to relieve pain from endometriosis
- Can use together with norethindrone acetate (Aygestin) for endometriosis
Cons
- Available as brand name only
- Injections might be uncomfortable
- Many possible side effects (most commonly, hot flashes or sweats)
- Not safe to use during pregnancy
Pharmacist tips for Leuprolide (Lupron Depot)
- When you first start leuprolide (Lupron Depot), your hormone levels go up for a short period of time. During the first several days of therapy, you might see a flare-up in your symptoms. But your symptoms should improve as you continue treatment. If your symptoms don't seem to be getting better, contact your provider.
- Depending on your treatment plan, your provider might prescribe other medications for you to take in addition to leuprolide (Lupron Depot). These medications are norethindrone acetate (Aygestin) for endometriosis and iron supplementation for anemia due to uterine fibroids. Make sure you follow your provider's instructions on how to take these additional medications.
- Don't take leuprolide (Lupron Depot) if you're pregnant because it might cause harm to an unborn baby. If you're able to have children, make sure to use a non-hormonal birth control method to prevent pregnancy during treatment.
- Leuprolide (Lupron Depot) can sometimes cause depression. Let your provider know right away if you notice concerning thoughts or behaviors after starting this medication.
- Leuprolide (Lupron Depot) can weaken your bones. Make sure you're getting enough calcium in your diet, vitamin D, and plenty of physical activity to keep your bones strong. Ask your provider or pharmacist for more recommendations so your bones stay healthy.
Common questions about Leuprolide (Lupron Depot)
Endometriosis is a condition in women that happens when tissue that's similar to the lining of the uterus (womb) grows outside of the uterus. This condition can lead to symptoms like painful menstrual cramps, lower back pain, painful sex, bleeding or spotting between periods, stomach problems, and problems getting pregnant. Research suggests that estrogen plays a big role in endometriosis. Leuprolide (Lupron Depot) helps lower estrogen levels in your body, which can relieve symptoms from endometriosis.
No. Keep leuprolide (Lupron Depot) at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Don't refrigerate or freeze this medication because cold temperatures might damage it. Leuprolide (Lupron Depot) is typically given by a healthcare provider, so you probably won't need to worry about how to store the medication for use. But if your provider instructs you to keep it at home, follow these instructions to make sure you store the medication properly.
Leuprolide (Lupron Depot) is injected into the muscle in your upper arm, thigh, or buttocks by a trained healthcare provider. Let your provider know where your last injection was so they can choose a different injection site. Injecting at different areas each time can help prevent skin irritation and other side effects.
Possibly. In studies, 74% of women taking the 3.75 mg dose of leuprolide (Lupron Depot) didn’t have a period after the first month of treatment. After the second month of treatment, 98% of the women didn’t have a period. In general, this effect was temporary, and normal menstrual cycles usually came back within a few months after stopping treatment. In the same studies, 95% of women who took the 3.75 mg dose got their period back three months after stopping treatment. Keep in mind that this particular study included women who took leuprolide (Lupron Depot) for endometriosis; your menstrual cycle might be different if you're taking it to treat uterine fibroids.
There aren't any specific recommendations from the manufacturer of leuprolide (Lupron Depot) about whether you can drink alcohol while you're taking the medication. But, in general, drinking alcohol can raise your risk of bone loss. Since leuprolide (Lupron Depot) can also raise your risk of bone loss, combining the two together could put you at an even higher risk for this to happen. Speak with your provider about your alcohol consumption during treatment with leuprolide (Lupron Depot).
Leuprolide (Lupron Depot) shouldn't be used for longer than 1 year for endometriosis because of the risk of bone loss. This medication lowers estrogen in your body, which can cause your bone tissue to break down. Having weaker bones can put you at risk of breaking your bones. In studies, women who took the 3.75 mg dose of leuprolide (Lupron Depot) with norethindrone acetate (Aygestin) for 1 year experienced an average drop of 6% in bone mineral density at their lower spine. Bone mineral density is a measure of how strong your bones are. Your provider will keep an eye on your bone health while you're taking leuprolide (Lupron Depot) to make sure you're not having side effects from this medication.
Norethindrone acetate (Aygestin) is sometimes used together with leuprolide (Lupron Depot) for the treatment of endometriosis to balance out the bone loss side effect of leuprolide (Lupron Depot). Norethindrone acetate (Aygestin) is a progestin, which acts like the natural hormone progesterone. This hormone is thought to promote bone formation. In addition, taking norethindrone acetate (Aygestin) might be helpful to lower other side effects of leuprolide (Lupron Depot), such as hot flashes and sweats. Discuss with your provider whether you'll need to take norethindrone acetate (Aygestin) in addition to leuprolide (Lupron Depot).
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Risks and warnings for Leuprolide (Lupron Depot)
Leuprolide (Lupron Depot) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Weakening of bones
- Risk factors: Alcohol use | Tobacco use | Family history of osteoporosis (weak bones) | Taking other medications that can weaken your bones
Leuprolide (Lupron Depot) causes a drop in estrogen levels, which can lead to the weakening of bones and bone loss. This loss of bone density might not be reversible after stopping treatment. Your risk is higher if you use alcohol or tobacco, have a family history of osteoporosis, or take medications that can lower your bone density (e.g., antiseizure medications, corticosteroids). Your provider will make sure you use leuprolide (Lupron Depot) for the shortest time possible to avoid this side effect. If you need to repeat treatment with this medication, your provider might check your bone density or prescribe other medications to make sure it's safe for you.
Harm to unborn babies
- Risk factors: Pregnancy
Based on animal studies, leuprolide (Lupron Depot) can cause harm to unborn babies when taken during pregnancy. Your provider might ask you to take a pregnancy test before starting treatment to prevent this potential risk. If you're pregnant, you shouldn't take this medication. It's important to use non-hormonal birth control, such as condoms and Paragard (copper intrauterine device), to prevent pregnancy while taking leuprolide (Lupron Depot). If you become pregnant during treatment with leuprolide (Lupron Depot), let your provider know right away.
Allergic reaction
In some rare cases, leuprolide (Lupron Depot) can cause allergic reactions, including life-threatening reactions like anaphylaxis (closing of the throat). Before starting this medication, let your provider know about all of your allergies. If you experience a rash; trouble breathing; or swelling in your face, mouth, or throat after taking leuprolide (Lupron Depot), get medical help right away.
Convulsions (seizures)
Rarely, some people taking leuprolide (Lupron Depot) have had seizures. If you experience a seizure (e.g., uncontrollable movements, confusion, loss of consciousness), get medical attention right away.
Depression
- Risk factors: History of depression
Leuprolide (Lupron Depot) might cause new or worsening depression. Let your provider know if you have a history of depression. If you experience new or worsening symptoms of depression, contact your provider. They can help you decide if it's still safe to take leuprolide (Lupron Depot) or recommend ways to help manage your depression.
Leuprolide (Lupron Depot) dosage
Typical dosage for Leuprolide (Lupron Depot)
Leuprolide (Lupron Depot) is available in two strengths: 3.75 mg and 11.25 mg. Depending on the dose, the medication can be injected once every month or once every 3 months.
Endometriosis:
The typical dose is 3.75 mg injected into the muscle (intramuscularly or IM) once a month for up to 6 months. Alternatively, the 11.25 mg dose is injected IM every 3 months for up to 2 doses.
Leuprolide (Lupron Depot) can be given by itself. The medication can also be used together with 5 mg of norethindrone acetate (Aygestin) that's taken by mouth every day. If needed, your provider might repeat treatment for a maximum of 1 year.
Uterine fibroids:
The typical dose is 3.75 mg injected IM once a month for up to 3 months. Alternatively, the 11.25 mg dose is injected IM for only one time. Leuprolide (Lupron Depot) is typically used together with iron supplementation.
Interactions between Leuprolide (Lupron Depot) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Bepridil
- Cisapride
- Dronedarone
- Mesoridazine
- Pimozide
- Piperaquine
- Saquinavir
- Sparfloxacin
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine
- Ziprasidone
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Amiodarone
- Amisulpride
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil
- Buprenorphine
- Buserelin
- Ceritinib
- Citalopram
- Clofazimine
- Degarelix
- Deslorelin
- Deutetrabenazine
- Donepezil
- Encorafenib
- Entrectinib
- Formoterol
- Fostemsavir
- Glasdegib
- Gonadorelin
- Goserelin
- Histrelin
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Hydroxyzine
- Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
- Ivosidenib
- Lefamulin
- Lenvatinib
- Lofexidine
- Macimorelin
- Methotrimeprazine
- Mirtazapine
- Moricizine
- Nafarelin
- Osilodrostat
- Osimertinib
- Oxaliplatin
- Ozanimod
- Papaverine
- Pimavanserin
- Pitolisant
- Ponesimod
- Ribociclib
- Selpercatinib
- Sertraline
- Siponimod
- Sotalol
- Sulpiride
- Sunitinib
- Triclabendazole
- Triptorelin
- Vemurafenib
- Voclosporin
- Zotepine
- Zuclopenthixol
Leuprolide (Lupron Depot) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Leuprolide (Lupron Depot) will not be safe for you to take.
- Unusual vaginal bleeding that hasn't been evaluated by a healthcare provider
- Currently pregnant
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