what is leuprolide (lupron) in the treatment of precocious puberty

by Jaunita Ankunding II Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Leuprolide is a prescription medication used for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer, endometriosis, fibroids, and central precocious puberty. Leuprolide is available under the following different Lupron

Leuprolide

Leuprolide is used to treat advanced prostate cancer in men.

, Lupron Depot, Lupron Depot 3 Month, Lupron Depot 4 Month, Lupron Depot 6 Month, Lupron Depot-Ped, Eligard, Fensolvi, Camcevi

Generic Name: leuprolide

Leuprolide is used to stop early puberty (precocious puberty) in children. It helps to delay sexual development (such as growth of the breasts/testicles) and the start of menstrual periods. It also helps slow down early bone growth to increase the likelihood of reaching normal adult height.

Full Answer

Is leuprolide an effective long-term treatment for central precocious puberty?

Jun 24, 2021 · Leuprolide is used in women to treat symptoms of endometriosis (overgrowth of uterine lining outside of the uterus) or uterine fibroids. Leuprolide is also used to treat precocious (early-onset) puberty in both male and female children at least 2 years old. Warnings. Your symptoms may become temporarily worse when you first start using leuprolide.

How does leuprolide work for prostate cancer?

Leuprolide acetate (D-Leu6 des-Gly-NH2(10), Pro-ethylamide9), a synthetic non-apeptide analog of naturally occurring gonadotropin releasing hormone, was used to treat 62 children with central precocious puberty. Sex steroid levels (testosterone in boys and estradiol in girls) were suppressed during treatment lasting from 3.5 to 24.9 months.

How do I use leuprolide?

Jul 25, 2021 · Leuprolide is a medication used in the management and treatment of prostate cancer, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, precocious puberty, and other sex hormone-related conditions. It is in the GnRH agonist class of medications. This activity reviews the indications, mechanism of action, contraindications, monitoring protocols, and other vital factors pertinent …

What is leuprolide acetate used for?

Mar 09, 2017 · Recent attention in a dual Reveal and Kaiser Health News Report (‘Kaiser Report’) to the risks of Lupron’s use in children with central precocious puberty (PP) or growth issues, and to Lupron’s risks in general, presents an opportunity to continue the disclosures on the risks of Lupron. This is the second part in a 6-week series exploring numerous issues associated with …

How does Leuprolide treat central precocious puberty?

In conclusion, leuprorelin 3-month depot efficiently inhibits the gonadotropic axis in 95% of children with central precocious puberty studied for a 6-month period. This regimen allows the reduction of the number of yearly injections from 12 to 4.

Is Lupron safe for precocious puberty?

Conclusions: Treatment of central precocious puberty in children using Lupron Depot is safe and efficacious. Its effects are readily reversible after treatment is discontinued, and menarche occurs at a normal bone age.

What is the purpose of Leuprolide?

Leuprolide injection (Lupron Depot) is used alone or with another medication (norethindrone) to treat endometriosis (a condition in which the type of tissue that lines the uterus [womb] grows in other areas of the body and causes pain, heavy or irregular menstruation [periods], and other symptoms).Jul 15, 2020

Is Lupron a puberty blocker?

The puberty blocker used most often in BC is called Lupron Depot. It is given through a monthly injection in the thigh. Lupron Depot is quite expensive; it costs around $400 a month. It is covered by BC PharmaCare; some families have the cost covered by the PharmaCare Plan G.

What are the side effects of Leuprolide?

SIDE EFFECTS: Mild burning/pain/bruising at the injection site, hot flashes (flushing), increased sweating, night sweats, tiredness, headache, upset stomach, breast changes, acne, joint/muscle aches, trouble sleeping, reduced sexual interest, vaginal discomfort/dryness, vaginal bleeding, swelling of the ankles/feet, ...

What is the drug of choice for precocious puberty in girls?

Long-acting gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists are the current therapy of choice for central precocious puberty, having demonstrated effectiveness in halting the precocious development associated with this condition with minimal side effects.

Is Lupron the same as Leuprolide?

Lupron, Eligard, Lupron Depot, and Viadur are trade names for Leuprolide. In some cases, health care professionals may use the trade names Lupron, Eligard, Lupron Depot, and Viadur when referring to the generic drug name Leuprolide. Drug type: Lupron is a hormone therapy.

Does Leuprolide stop your period?

Lupron Depot is given to lower the estrogen made by your ovaries. It is used to treat endometriosis and uterine fibroids. It is injected into the muscle (a shot) and is slowly released over 1 or 3 months. This medicine stops ovulation and monthly periods.

Where is Lupron injected?

Lupron® is injected subcutaneously—or into the fatty tissue under your skin. The primary sites for injection are your abdomen—2 inches on either side of the navel—and your upper, outer-thigh where the skin is loose. Wash your hands thoroughly and make sure that the surface you work on is clean.

What happens if precocious puberty is not treated?

When puberty ends, growth in height stops. Because their skeletons mature and bone growth stops at an earlier age than normal, kids with precocious puberty that's not treated usually don't reach their full adult height potential. Their early growth spurt may make them initially tall when compared with their peers.

Does precocious puberty cause infertility?

Girls who begin puberty early commonly experience problems with regular menstruation; early puberty also could cause infertility for both genders.Jul 28, 2020

How can I delay precocious puberty?

This treatment, called GnRH analogue therapy, usually includes a monthly injection of a medication, such as leuprolide acetate (Lupron Depot), or triptorelin (Trelstar, Triptodur Kit), which delays further development. Some newer formulations can be given at longer intervals.Feb 15, 2021

Will I get my period while on Lupron?

In clinical studies evaluating endometriosis, 95% of women started their periods (normal menstrual cycle) in the third month after treatment ended...

What does Lupron do for IVF?

During an vitro fertilization (IVF) protocol, your doctor may use leuprolide (Lupron) injection as part of an ovarian stimulation regimen. Leuproli...

Are Lupron Depot and Eligard the same drug?

Lupron Depot and Eligard are brand name medicines that both contain the active ingredient leuprolide acetate. Both Lupron Depot and Eligard are pre...

Can you get pregnant on Lupron Depot?

Yes, you may still become pregnant if you are using Lupron Depot. Lupron Depot is not a method of birth control. Even though you may not have a per...

Is Firmagon (degarelix) the same as Lupron?

No, Firmagon (degarelix) is not the same as Lupron but they are both hormone deprivation treatments that may be used for the treatment of advanced...

Is Supprelin LA the same as Lupron?

Supprelin LA is not the same as Lupron Depot-Ped, because Supprelin LA contains the active drug histrelin acetate, while Lupron Depot-Ped contains...

What are the symptoms of a GnRH agonist?

Events include emotional lability, such as crying, irritability, impatience, anger, and aggression. Monitor for development or worsening of psychiatric symptoms during treatment.

What is CPP in girls?

CPP is defined as early onset of secondary sexual characteristics (generally earlier than 8 years of age in girls and 9 years of age in boys) associated with pubertal pituitary gonadotropin activation. It may show a significantly advanced bone age that can result in diminished adult height.

Lupron in the Media

Media coverage of Lupron’s adverse effects in fertility treatment/IVF (for which Lupron has never gained FDA approval) occurred in a 2-part series in 1996 (August 4 & 5; Boston Globe, p 1: “What Price Pregnancy – The Painful Quest for Fertility” by Dolores Kong); and media coverage of Lupron’s adverse effects in endometriosis took place in 1999 (9 years after Lupron’s FDA approval for endometriosis) in a 3-part Boston Herald series (see here, here and here ).

What Lupron for Precocious Puberty Really Looks Like

My website’s mailbox has received cries of help since 2008 (many frantic in nature) from a number of mothers of children treated with Lupron for precocious puberty or growth issues, as well as hearing from the now-adult treated children, who continue to experience serious physical and emotional adverse events.

We Need Your Help

More people than ever are reading Hormones Matter, a testament to the need for independent voices in health and medicine. We are not funded and accept limited advertising. Unlike many health sites, we don’t force you to purchase a subscription. We believe health information should be open to all.

Is Lupron a hazardous drug?

In 1999, OSHA ‘s ‘Technical Manual’ listed Lupron as a “hazardous drug” and an “antineoplastic “, and detailed specific precautions healthcare workers should use to protect themselves from occupational exposure. Beginning in 2000, NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) “began working with multiple partners ...

Is Lupron safe for prostate cancer?

More than a decade and many large-scale studies later, in 2010, the FDA conducted a safety review of the use of Lupron (and other GnRHas) for prostate cancer treatment in adult males, and an increased risk for diabetes, heart attack, sudden cardiac death and stroke was identified, and warnings issued.

When did NIOSH start?

Beginning in 2000, NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) “began working with multiple partners and stakeholders to address the issue of occupational exposure to hazardous drugs”.

What is the treatment for central precocious puberty?

This treatment, called GnRH analogue therapy, usually includes a monthly injection of a medication, such as leuprolide acetate (Lupron Depot), or triptorelin (Trelstar, Triptodur Kit), which delays further development. Some newer formulations can be given at longer intervals.

Can precocious puberty be treated?

Treatment for precocious puberty depends on the cause. However, in some cases, there is no identifiable cause for precocious puberty. In this instance, your child may not need treatment depending on his or her age and how rapidly puberty is progressing. Your child's doctor may want to monitor your child for several months to see how he ...

How to diagnose precocious puberty?

To diagnose precocious puberty, the doctor will: Review your child's and your family's medical history. Do a physical exam. Run blood tests to measure hormone levels. X-rays of your child's hand and wrist also are important for diagnosing precocious puberty. These X-rays can help the doctor determine your child's bone age, ...

What test is used to determine if a child is precocious?

To do so, he or she will perform a test called a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test.

What is the purpose of MRI in puberty?

A brain MRI is usually done for children who have central precocious puberty to see if any brain abnormalities are causing the early start of puberty.

Where to see a child for hormones?

You're likely to start by seeing your child's pediatrician or a family doctor. Or you may be referred immediately to a doctor who specializes in the treatment of hormone-related conditions in children (pediatric endocrinologist).

What to ask when scheduling an appointment for a child?

When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your child's diet. Write down your child's symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.