Your symptoms may become temporarily worse when you first start using Eligard. Tell your doctor if this continues for longer than 2 months.
Call your doctor at once if you have a seizure, or unusual changes in mood or behavior.
Eligard is for use in males. Other brands of leuprolide are used by women. Do not use Eligard if you are pregnant.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Eligard if you are allergic to leuprolide or similar medicines such as buserelin, goserelin, histrelin, nafarelin, or if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding that has not been checked by a doctor.
Leuprolide can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Certain brands or strengths of leuprolide are used to treat only men and should not be used in women or children. Always check your medicine to make sure you have received the correct brand and strength.
To make sure Eligard is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
depression, mental illness or psychosis;
seizures or epilepsy;
a blood vessel disorder;
a brain tumor or spinal cord injury;
heart disease, congestive heart failure, long QT syndrome;
an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood); or
risk factors for bone loss (personal or family history of osteoporosis, smoking, alcohol use, taking steroid or seizure medicines long term).
Do not give Eligard to any child without medical advice.
Leuprolide usually causes women to stop ovulating or having menstrual periods. However, you may still be able to get pregnant. Use a condom or diaphragm with spermicide to prevent pregnancy. Leuprolide can make hormonal birth control less effective (birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, vaginal rings).
Call your doctor if your periods continue while you are being treated with this medicine.
You should not breast-feed while using Eligard.
How should I use Eligard?
Take Eligard exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.
Different brands or strengths of leuprolide are used to treat different conditions. It is very important that you receive exactly the brand and strength your doctor has prescribed. Always check your medication to make sure you have received the correct brand and type prescribed by your doctor.
Eligard is injected under the skin or into a muscle, once every month or once every 3 to 6 months. A healthcare provider can teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.
Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Do not use Eligard if you don't understand all instructions for proper use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.
Your symptoms may become temporarily worse as your hormones adjust to leuprolide.
Keep using the medicine as directed, and tell your doctor if your condition is still worse after 2 months of using Eligard.
You may need frequent medical tests while using leuprolide.
Store Eligard in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. You may take the medicine out and allow it to reach room temperature before mixing and injecting your dose. Mixed medicine must be used within 30 minutes.
You may also store Eligard in its original packaging at room temperature for up to 8 weeks.
Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.
