LEUPROLIDE ACETATE

Drug Name: LEUPROLIDE ACETATE

LEUPROLIDE ACETATE DESCRIPTION:
LEUPROLIDE - INJECTION (LEW-pro-lide)

COMMON LEUPROLIDE ACETATE BRAND NAME(S):
Lupron

LEUPROLIDE ACETATE SIDE EFFECTS:
Adults - LEUPROLIDE ACETATE may cause nausea, vomiting, hot flashes, night sweats, bone pain, swelling of feet and ankles, headache, or difficulty urinating the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication. Notify your doctor if these symptoms continue or become bothersome. LEUPROLIDE ACETATE may cause reduced sexual desire. Notify your doctor if you develop any of the following while using LEUPROLIDE ACETATE: rapid heartbeat, chest pain, breathing difficulties, fever, chills, painful urination, testicular or prostate pain (men), persistent irritation at the injection site. Children - LEUPROLIDE ACETATE may cause general pain, acne, irritation at injection site, vaginal inflammation or discharge (females). The medication may rarely cause swelling of hands or feet, weight gain, headache, nervousness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, gingivitis, or trouble swallowing. Notify your doctor if these symptoms continue or become bothersome. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE LEUPROLIDE ACETATE:
LEUPROLIDE ACETATE: LEUPROLIDE ACETATE is given as an injection under the skin (SC). Do not stop using this without your doctor's permission.

LEUPROLIDE ACETATE USES:
LEUPROLIDE ACETATE is a synthetic hormone. When it is used, the body stops producing testosterone hormones in males and estrogen hormones in females. When the medication is stopped, hormone levels return to normal. Leuprolide is used in the treatment of prostate cancer in men, early puberty in children, and anemia (due to uterine fibroid tumors) in women.

OTHER USES OF LEUPROLIDE ACETATE:
LEUPROLIDE ACETATE may also be used for ovarian or breast cancer in women.

LEUPROLIDE ACETATE PRECAUTIONS:
Tell your doctor if you have: osteoporosis or other bone disease, allergies. Leuprolide should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Use reliable, non-hormonal birth control while using LEUPROLIDE ACETATE. It is not known if leuprolide is excreted into breast milk. The manufacturer of leuprolide says breast-feeding should not be undertaken while using LEUPROLIDE ACETATE. Because LEUPROLIDE ACETATE can affect the production of sperm in men, a reliable form of birth control is recommended while using LEUPROLIDE ACETATE.

LEUPROLIDE ACETATE DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor of any over-the-counter or prescription medication you may take including: phenytoin, corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone). Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

LEUPROLIDE ACETATE OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

LEUPROLIDE ACETATE NOTES:
LEUPROLIDE ACETATE must be used under close medical supervision. Discuss the risks and benefits of this therapy with your doctor.

MISSED LEUPROLIDE ACETATE DOSE:
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as remembered. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the doses.

LEUPROLIDE ACETATE STORAGE:
Refer to the manufacturer-specific storage information that comes with this product, and consult your pharmacist. Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information on enrollment call Medic Alert(TM) at 1-800-854-1166. In Canada call 1-800-668-1507.