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Leuprolide
About Your Treatment Your doctor has ordered the drug leuprolide to help treat your illness. This drug will be either injected into a muscle or under the skin once a month or injected daily under the skin. The long-acting form of leuprolide, given once a month, is slowly released into the bloodstream during that period. Leuprolide is a synthetic hormone used to treat prostate cancer in men and endometriosis in women. It stops the production of the testosterone hormone in males and the estrogen hormone in females. Blocking the production of these hormones is desirable because they stimulate the growth of the diseased cells involved in prostate cancer and endometriosis. When the medication is stopped, these hormone levels return to normal. Your doctor may measure the effectiveness of your treatment using laboratory tests and physical examinations. In general, the length of your therapy depends on the types of medications you are taking and how well your body responds to them. Leuprolide comes with patient directions; read them carefully. Use the supplied syringes (needles) one time only and then dispose of them properly. Store the syringes at room temperature, away from direct light, and out of the reach of children. Do not allow leuprolide to freeze. Side Effects and Precautions Although not everyone experiences side effects during chemotherapy, some people do. If any of the effects becomes intolerable, let your doctor know. The most common side effect of leuprolide, which may not disappear with continued therapy, is sudden sweating or "hot flashes." Less common side effects include night sweats; blurred vision; burning, itching, swelling, and redness at the injection site; constipation; decreased sexual desire or impotence; dizziness; headache; loss of appetite; increased tenderness of the breasts; swelling of the hands or feet; and numbness or tingling of the feet or lower legs. Nausea and vomiting may occur. When your feel nauseated, avoid your favorite foods, large meals, and spicy or hot foods. Your doctor also may have ordered antinausea medications to prevent you from feeling sick. Men should notify their doctors if bone pain, weakness, or difficulty in urination occurs when therapy is started. These effects may result from an initial increase in testosterone levels. Amenorrhea (stopping of the monthly menstrual cycle) is a side effect of leuprolide therapy in women. This effect occurs in women who receive 10 weeks or more of therapy and have not been through menopause. Before starting leuprolide, tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking. You should not assume that you cannot get pregnant or get someone else pregnant just because you are receiving chemotherapy. Because this medication can affect the production of sperm in men, a reliable form of birth control is recommended. You should not plan to have children while receiving chemotherapy or for a while after treatments. If you are already pregnant or breast-feeding, tell your doctor before you start this drug. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately: rapid heartbeat, chest pain, breathing difficulties, fever, chills, painful urination, and testicular or prostate pain. Nutrition Is Important Your own body's defense system can aid in your recovery, and a balanced diet is needed to build a healthy body. Ask your doctor or dietician for advice on your diet. |
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