How does it work?

Leuprorelin acetate belongs to the class of medicines known as gonadotrophin releasing hormone (gonadorelin) analogues. It is more potent than the naturally-occurring hormone. It acts on part of the brain called the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland controls the amount of many different types of hormones (chemical messengers) in the body. By acting on the pituitary, this medicine can alter the amounts of hormones in the body, particularly the oestrogens (female sex hormones) and androgens (male sex hormones). This alteration of hormone levels can be exploited to treat disorders which are linked to hormone levels, such as some cancers of the prostate gland which are stimulated to grow by testosterone. Using leuprorelin to lower the body's levels of testosterone can remove the stimulus from the tumour and can cause the tumour to shrink. The condition of the lining of the uterus (endometrium) is controlled by the level of oestrogen, so reducing oestrogen levels leads to a thinning of the endometrium. This is useful in preparing the endometrium for surgery, or for treating endometriosis, where tissue resembling the endometrium is found in other areas of the body and is subject to oestrogenic stimulation. N.B. Prostap 3 is only used in the treatment of prostate cancer.

What is it used for?

Endometriosis

Preparing the uterus lining (endometrium) prior to surgery

Prostate cancer

Warning!

This medicine should be used with caution in men at particular risk of developing a blockage of the kidney tubes (ureteric obstruction) or spinal cord compression.

In women given effective doses of leuprorelin, menstruation should stop. If regular periods continue, the doctor should be notified. Although leuprorelin inhibits ovulation it is not a reliable contraceptive and women should use non-hormonal methods of contraception during treatment.

Use with caution in

Alcoholism

History of osteoporosis in the family

Men considered by their doctor to be at risk of an initial worsening of their tumour symptoms (tumour flare)

Prolonged use

Not to be used in

Breastfeeding

Pregnancy

Vaginal bleeding of unknown cause

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should not be used in pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

There is no information available about the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding. For this reason, the manufacturer states that it should not be used during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Disturbed sleep

Swelling of the legs and ankles due to excess fluid retention (peripheral oedema)

Changes in mood

Inability of a man to have an erection (impotence)

Allergy to active ingredients (hypersensitivity)

Nausea

Fatigue

Visual disturbances

Hair loss (alopecia)

Abnormal enlargement of breasts in the male (gynaecomastia)

Pins and needles (paraesthesia)

Dizziness

Hot flushes

Pain at injection site

Pain in the joints (arthralgia)

Decrease in the density of bone

Vaginal dryness

Weight changes

Decreased sex drive

Breast tenderness

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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