How To Use Lupron Depot 45 Mg Intramuscular Syringe Kit
This medication is given by injection into a muscle by a health care professional. It is given as directed by your doctor, usually once every 6 months . This product slowly releases the medication into your blood over a 6-month period.
If you are using this medication at home, learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional and the product package. Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely.
Wash your hands and properly mix the medication. Before injecting each dose, clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol. Change the injection site each time to lessen injury under the skin. Inject each dose within 2 hours of mixing. If more than 2 hours have passed since mixing, throw out the product and prepare another syringe/dose.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, mark your calendar to keep track of when to receive the next dose.
During the first few weeks of treatment, your hormone levels will actually go up before they go down. This is a normal response to this medication. Your symptoms may get worse for a few weeks. If you have prostate cancerthat has spread to the spine or caused urinary blockage, you may require closer monitoring by your doctor, especially when you first start treatment. Tell your doctor right away if you have any bone pain, numbness/tingling/weakness of the arms/legs, blood in the urine, painful/difficult urination, unusual weakness, or inability to move.
Hormone Therapy: Immediate Versus Delayed
Medical Research Council Prostate Cancer Working Party Investigators Group. Immediate Versus Deferred Treatment for Advanced Prostatic Cancer. British Journal of Urology 1997;79:23546. PMID: 9052476.
Messing EM, Manola J, Sarosdy M, et al. Immediate Hormonal Therapy Compared with Observation after Radical Prostatectomy and Pelvic Lymphadenectomy in Men with Node-Positive Prostate Cancer. New England Journal of Medicine 1999;341:17818. PMID: 10588962.
Messing EM, Manola J, Yao J, et al. Immediate Versus Deferred Androgen Deprivation Treatment in Patients with Node-Positive Prostate Cancer after Radical Prostatectomy and Pelvic Lymphadenectomy. Lancet Oncology 2006;7:4729. PMID: 16750497.
Nair B, Wilt T, MacDonald R, Rutks I. Early Versus Deferred Androgen Suppression in the Treatment of Advanced Prostatic Cancer. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2002;CD003506. PMID: 11869665.
Swelling Bruising Or Tenderness Of The Scrotum
Symptoms generally resolve on their own within three to five days. Oral anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen are usually sufficient for pain relief, if necessary. You should avoid hot tubs and Jacuzzis for at least two to three days after the procedure. Postpone bike riding until the tenderness is gone.
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Lupron For Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a serious health problem, but it is also manageable.
Various therapies and treatment approaches are available to tackle this common disease.
One of these therapies for prostate cancer is the use of Lupron.
If youve ever wanted to know about Lupron and how it works, you came to the right place.
Read on to learn more about this therapy and whether its effective in the first place.;
Treatment By Stage Of Prostate Cancer
Different treatments may be recommended for each stage of prostate cancer. Your doctor will recommend a specific treatment plan for you based on the cancers stage and other factors. Detailed descriptions of each type of treatment are provided earlier on this same page. Clinical trials may also be a treatment option for each stage.
Early-stage prostate cancer
Early-stage prostate cancer usually grows very slowly and may take years to cause any symptoms or other health problems, if it ever does at all. As a result, active surveillance or watchful waiting may be recommended. Radiation therapy or surgery may also be suggested, as well as treatment in clinical trials. For those with a higher Gleason score, the cancer may be faster growing, so radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy are often recommended. Your doctor will consider your age and general health before recommending a treatment plan.
ASCO, the American Urological Association, American Society of Radiation Oncology, and the Society of Urologic Oncology recommend that patients with high-risk early-stage prostate cancer that has not spread to other areas of the body should receive radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy with hormonal therapy as standard treatment options.
Locally advanced prostate cancer
Watchful waiting may be considered for older adults who are not expected to live for a long time and whose cancer is not causing symptoms or for those who have another, more serious illness.
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Physical Emotional And Social Effects Of Cancer
Cancer and its treatment cause physical symptoms and side effects, as well as emotional, social, and financial effects. Managing all of these effects is called palliative care or supportive care. It is an important part of your care that is included along with treatments intended to slow, stop, or eliminate the cancer.
Palliative care focuses on improving how you feel during treatment by managing symptoms and supporting patients and their families with other, non-medical needs. Any person, regardless of age or type and stage of cancer, may receive this type of care. And it often works best when it is started right after a cancer diagnosis. People who receive palliative care along with treatment for the cancer often have less severe symptoms, better quality of life, and report that they are more satisfied with treatment.
Palliative treatments vary widely and often include medication, nutritional changes, relaxation techniques, emotional and spiritual support, and other therapies. You may also receive palliative treatments similar to those meant to get rid of the cancer, such as chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy.
Before treatment begins, talk with your doctor about the goals of each treatment in the treatment plan. You should also talk about the possible side effects of the specific treatment plan and palliative care options.
How Long To Continue Hormone Therapy
| May 24, 2012 – 10:46 pm
In late 2011 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, high PSA number and Gleason score. I decided on radiation treatment, started with hormone therapy, followed by 5 weeks of external beam radiation and just had seed implants. At first my Oncologist said the hormone trerapy could last 2 to 3 years, then perhaps 2 years and at my last meeting with him he suggested that 6 months to 2 years could be sufficient. I’m sure like everyone else, I would like to end the hormone therapy as soon as possible. Does anyone have a suggestion on where I could find some information on how long I need to stick with this part of the treatment? I would also appreciate comments or opinions from anyone that has gone thru this treatment. |
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On A Previous Post That
On a previous post that informed my father, has metastic prostate cancer. His PSA level is 107 as of last Monday. I asked his Oncologist about Lupron/Firmargon shots. He said those shots have no clinical benefits. My father is on Casodex,hormonal therapy and he will be given Provenge in two months.
Please, do not get discourage, you do whatever treatment you can tolerate, you are young and it worth trying, never give up.
Good luck!
Whats The Typical Dosage
Hormone therapy can be used alone or in combination with other therapies. It may also be used before or after other therapies.
Lupron is administered by injection. The dosage will vary according to your particular situation. Here are some typical dosage options your doctor may prescribe:
- 1 mg once per day, varying the injection site
- 7.5 mg every 4 weeks
- 22.5 mg every 12 weeks
- 30 mg every 16 weeks
- 45 mg every 24 weeks
If you stop taking Lupron, youll start producing testosterone again.
You will experience some changes when your hormone levels fluctuate or have a substantial drop. Its a good idea to talk about this in advance so youre not caught off guard.
Consider asking some of these questions when you consult with your doctor:
- Why do you recommend treatment with Lupron?
- How often will I have to take the drug?
- Will I administer it myself or will I need to come in to the clinic?
- How often will we test to see if its working?
- How long will I have to take it?
- What should I do if I miss a dose or if I stop taking it?
- What are the potential side effects, and can we do anything about them?
- Are there any other medications, supplements, or foods I should avoid while taking Lupron?
- If it doesnt work, what are the next steps?
According to the American Cancer Society, the relative five-year survival rates for men with prostate cancer, compared to men without the disease, are:
Your doctor can give you an idea what to expect from your treatment with Lupron.
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When To Consider Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy is a treatment option for men with prostate cancer in any of the following situations:
- when cancer has metastasized beyond the prostate
- when cancer is confined to the prostate, but hormone therapy is used to boost the effectiveness of radiation therapy or to shrink the size of a tumor before brachytherapy
- when PSA begins to rise sometime after initial treatment with surgery or radiation therapy, indicating the cancer may have recurred.
Not all doctors agree on when to use hormone therapy, or how to administer it. Indeed, this is an area that requires a physician to exercise as much art as science in clinical practice. You should also be aware that side effects can be daunting, although most men tolerate treatment reasonably well .
Frequently Asked Questions About Lupron Depot
How long does it take Lupron Depot to lower testosterone levels?
In clinical studies, it took about one month for Lupron Depot to drop testosterone to very low levels.
Will Lupron Depot cure prostate cancer?
Lupron Depot isn’t a cure for prostate cancer, but it can help lessen symptoms by lowering your levels of testosterone. Testosterone is a natural hormone that causes your prostate gland and cancer cells to grow, so Lupron Depot will slow down the growth of your prostate gland.
Can Lupron Depot make my symptoms worse?
Lupron Depot can make your symptoms worse when you first start treatment, because it can temporarily raise testosterone levels. These symptoms can include general pain, bone pain, nerve pain, bladder pain, hot flashes or sweats, blood in your urine, or other urinary problems. After about a month, these symptoms should get better. Talk to your healthcare provider if they don’t improve.
What’s the difference between Lupron Depot and Eligard?
Lupron Depot and Eligard both contain the active ingredient leuprolide to relieve symptoms of advanced prostate cancer. They have the same injection schedule, which depends on the dose you take. The main difference is how the medication is injected. Lupron Depot is administered into the muscle, whereas Eligard is administered under the skin.
Can Lupron Depot lead to broken bones?
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About Hormonal Therapy For Prostate Cancer
Testosterone is a male hormone. Its made when hormones from your pituitary gland cause your testes to make sperm. Testosterone can cause prostate cancer cells to grow.
Hormonal therapy prevents prostate cancer cells from growing by:
- Blocking the action of testosterone and other male hormones.
Your doctor may recommend hormonal therapy in order to:
- Make it easier for radiation to kill prostate cancer cells.
- Relieve pain.
How Will I Know That My Hormone Therapy Is Working
Doctors cannot predict how long hormone therapy will be effective in suppressing the growth of any individual mans prostate cancer. Therefore, men who take hormone therapy for more than a few months are regularly tested to determine the level of PSA in their blood. An increase in PSA level may indicate that a mans cancer has started growing again. A PSA level that continues to increase while hormone therapy is successfully keeping androgen levels extremely low is an indicator that a mans prostate cancer has become resistant to the hormone therapy that is currently being used.;
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When Lupron Is Failing
I was wondering if there is any way to tell if the Lupron or Eligard is failing? If the PSA is going up, does that mean your testostrone level is also increasing and does that mean you might have an erection while on The Shot? Just wondering if that can happen. Hope you can understand my question- I did not want to begin a whole new htread on this topic.
Evidence About Hormone Therapy And Prostatectomy
Gleave ME, La Bianca S, Goldenberg SL. Neoadjuvant Hormonal Therapy Prior to Radical Prostatectomy: Promises and Pitfalls. Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases 2000;3:13644. PMID: 12497089.
Hurtado-Coll A, Goldenberg SL, Klotz L, Gleave ME. Preoperative Neoadjuvant Androgen Withdrawal Therapy in Prostate Cancer: The Canadian Experience. Urology 2002;60:4551. PMID: 12231047.
Kumar S, Shelley M, Harrison C, et al. Neo-adjuvant and Adjuvant Hormone Therapy for Localized and Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006;CD006019. PMID: 17054269.
Soloway MS, Sharifi R, Wajsman Z, et al. Randomized Prospective Study Comparing Radical Prostatectomy Alone Versus Radical Prostatectomy Preceded by Androgen Blockade in Clinical Stage B2 Prostate Cancer. The Lupron Depot Neoadjuvant Prostate Cancer Study. Journal of Urology 1995;154:4248. PMID: 7541859.
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While Youre Taking Hormonal Therapy
- Tell your doctor or nurse if youre taking any medications, including patches and creams, or if youve changed medications. Some medications may change the way hormonal therapy works. Tell your doctor if youre taking:
- Medications that require a prescription
- Medications that dont require a prescription
- Any herbal remedies, vitamins, or dietary supplements
Initial Worsening Of Symptoms
Lupron Depot is an artificial hormone similar to one your body makes, called gonadotropin-releasing hormone . Similar to other GnRH medications, Lupron Depot can make your symptoms worse when you first start treatment. These symptoms can include bone pain, nerve pain, bladder pain, or blood in your urine. This usually happens during the first few weeks of starting the medication. Let your provider know if these symptoms don’t go away in about a month.
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Eligard Is Injected Into The
Eligard is injected into the stomach muscles. Burns like fire. I get my next shot in 3 weeks- I’ll try the relaxing technique and see how it goes. One guy told me rubbing some ice on over the skin for a few minutes before the injection also helps ease the burn. I only get my shot every 6 months- 2 down, two to go. I hope.
“They” can’t keep me on this stuff forever. I hope.
Interactions Between Lupron Depot And Other Medications
Lupron Depot may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Lupron Depot . Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Bepridil
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Use And Important Safety Information You Should Know About Lupron Depot
Use
- LUPRON;DEPOT® 7.5;mg for 1month, 22.5;mg for 3month, 30;mg for 4month, and 45;mg for 6month administration are prescribed for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer.
- LUPRON DEPOT is a prescription medication that must be administered in your doctors office.
Important Safety Information
- LUPRON;DEPOT is not for people who have had any type of allergic reaction to LUPRON;DEPOT or similar drugs.
- 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 on the spine may occur and can sometimes lead to paralysis, which may be lifethreatening.
- 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.
Controversies In Hormone Therapy
The use of hormone therapy requires as much art as science. Physicians do not always agree about when it is best to start treatment, whether it needs to be continuous or can be stopped and started up again periodically, and whether monotherapy or combination therapy is best. Here are the salient issues, what the studies say and what I believe and follow in my own practice.
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