What to Expect During Therapy

Lupron Depot is a prescription drug that is an injection and must be administered under a doctor’s care. Therefore, you will receive your first dose, and every dose thereafter, in your doctor’s office. Lupron Depot is given as an intramuscular (into a muscle) injection. Your health care provider will determine the most appropriate injection site and dose for you.

  • LUPRON DEPOT 7.5 mg for 1−month, 22.5 mg for 3−month, 30 mg for 4−month, and 45 mg for 6−month administration are prescribed for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer.

Depending on your dosage, you will need to return for an injection every month, every 3 months, every 4 months or every 6 months. Your doctor will use these subsequent office visits to check your progress, and address any treatment-related concerns you may have. Your doctor may also take a blood sample to monitor your testosterone blood levels PSA, and blood sugar. High blood sugar and increased risk of diabetes have been reported in men using Lupron Depot

Possible Side Effects

During the first few weeks of starting Lupron Depot therapy, testosterone blood levels rise before they fall. In some men, this rise may cause a temporary increase in their prostate cancer symptoms, such as pain and difficulty urinating. It is always important to call your doctor if any new or worsening symptoms occur when starting or changing a medication.

If your cancer has spread to the spine or urinary tract, you may require close medical attention during your first few weeks of therapy. Increased risk of heart attack, sudden death and stroke have been reported in men using Lupron Depot. You should notify your doctor if you develop any new or worsened symptoms after beginning Lupron Depot treatment.

Long-term use of LUPRON DEPOT can affect the electrical activity of your heart. Your doctor must determine if the benefits of using LUPRON DEPOT outweigh the risks, especially if you have congenital long QT syndrome, abnormal blood tests for electrolytes, congestive heart failure, or if you take medications to regulate your heartbeat.

Side effects may occur from the use of Lupron Depot. Possible side effects include hot flashes/sweats, injection site reaction/pain, general pain, swelling, testicular shrinkage, difficulty urinating, fatigue/weakness, headache, and joint, GI, and respiratory problems.

Lupron Depot may cause impotence. If you experience impotence during Lupron Depot treatment, it could be due to decreased testosterone levels. Talk to your doctor about your concerns.

Injection Sites

Lupron Depot is an intramuscular (IM) injection, a shot where the needle goes into the muscle under the skin. Lupron Depot must be administered under the supervision of a physician.

Injection Sites Include:

  • Upper arm
  • Top of the thighs
  • Buttocks

After an intramuscular injection, there may be some discomfort at the injection site.

Sticking to the Appointment Schedule

It is very important that you keep all scheduled appointments for Lupron Depot injections with your doctor. Lupron Depot is designed to give you medication over a set amount of time to provide you with effective testosterone suppression. Your injections are timed to maintain your blood level of medication to keep your testosterone levels low. If you miss your injections, your therapy may not be as effective. Sticking to your injection schedule is important. It is recommended that your PSA and serum testosterone levels be monitored at regular intervals.

Communicating with Your Doctor

Before doctor visits, spend some time thinking about the questions you’ll want answered, write them down and take them to your appointment. Good communication between you and your doctor may help make living with prostate cancer more manageable. By taking an active role in your treatment, you can partner with your doctor to help your doctor help you. This means asking questions, taking notes, and even keeping a journal. Understanding more about your treatment can help make you more comfortable about it over time.


Use and Important Safety Information you should know about Lupron Depot® (leuprolide acetate for depot suspension)


Use for LUPRON DEPOT® (leuprolide acetate for depot suspension)

  • LUPRON DEPOT 7.5 mg for 1−month, 22.5 mg for 3−month, 30 mg for 4−month, and 45 mg for 6−month administration are prescribed for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer.
  • LUPRON DEPOT is a prescription medication that must be administered in your doctor’s office.

Important Safety Information for LUPRON DEPOT

  • LUPRON DEPOT is not for people who have had any type of allergic reaction to LUPRON DEPOT or similar drugs.
  • LUPRON DEPOT is not for women who are or may become pregnant.
  • LUPRON DEPOT causes an increase in testosterone during the first few weeks of therapy.
    • Some men may experience temporary new or worsening symptoms of prostate cancer, including urinary symptoms and/or bone pain.
    • If your cancer has spread to the spine or urinary tract, urinary blockage or pressure in the spine may occur and can sometimes lead to paralysis, which may be life threatening.
    • You may require close medical attention during the first few weeks of therapy. Notify your doctor if you develop any new or worsened symptoms after beginning LUPRON DEPOT treatment.
  • Regular blood tests are needed to check your testosterone and PSA levels.
  • High blood sugar and increased risk of diabetes can occur in men using LUPRON DEPOT. Your doctor will monitor your blood sugar during treatment.
  • Increased risk of heart attack, sudden death, and stroke can occur in men using LUPRON DEPOT. Discuss this increased risk with your doctor before starting treatment and report any new symptoms during treatment.
  • Long-term use of LUPRON DEPOT can affect the electrical activity of your heart. Your doctor must determine if the benefits of using LUPRON DEPOT outweigh the risks, especially if you have congenital long QT syndrome, abnormal blood tests for electrolytes, congestive heart failure, or if you take medications to regulate your heartbeat.
  • LUPRON DEPOT may cause impotence.
  • The most common side effects of LUPRON DEPOT include: hot flashes/sweats, injection site reaction/pain, general pain, swelling, testicular shrinkage, difficulty urinating, fatigue/weakness, headache, and joint, GI, and respiratory problems.

For more information, talk with your health care provider.

Reference: LUPRON DEPOT [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: Abbott Laboratories.

Please see the full Prescribing Information for Lupron Depot.

Lupron Depot is available by prescription only.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).
If you cannot afford your medication, contact www.pparx.org or call the
toll-free phone number (1-888-4PPA-NOW) (1-888-477-2669) for assistance.

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