Leuprolide

GENERIC NAME: LEUPROLIDE - INJECTION (LEW-pro-lide)

USES
This medication 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
This medication may also be used for ovarian or breast cancer in women.

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

SIDE EFFECTS
Adults - This medication 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. This medication may cause reduced sexual desire. Notify your doctor if you develop any of the following while using this medication: rapid heartbeat, chest pain, breathing difficulties, fever, chills, painful urination, testicular or prostate pain (men), persistent irritation at the injection site. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: severe headache, vision changes, severe drowsiness, unusual or one-sided weakness. Children - This medication 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.

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 this medication. It is not known if leuprolide is excreted into breast milk. The manufacturer of leuprolide says breast-feeding should not be undertaken while using this drug. Because this medication can affect the production of sperm in men, a reliable form of birth control is recommended while using this medication.

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.

OVERDOSE
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

MISSED 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.

STORAGE
Refer to the manufacturer-specific storage information that comes with this product, and consult your pharmacist.

Note : This product information is intended only for residents of the India. Taj Pharmaceuticals Limited, medicines help to treat and prevent a range of conditions—from the most common to the most challenging—for people around the world.