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Leuprolide acetate is used in the treatment of prostate cancers that require a supply of male hormone (testosterone) to grow. Leuprolide acetate can cause many unwanted side effects, so before using you should learn and talk to your doctor about possible cases.1. What is Leuprolide acetate?
Leuprolide acetate is used in the treatment of prostate cancers that require a supply of male hormone (testosterone) to grow. Testosterone is produced by the adrenal glands and testes of men and is an androgen in nature. The pituitary gland produces luteinizing hormone (LH) to stimulate the production of Testosterone. Testosterone can be stopped by surgery or by the patient taking medication. LH-releasing hormone agonists (i.e. LHRH agonists) stop the pituitary gland's production of luteinizing hormone. This reduces testosterone production in men. The cancer cells may then grow more slowly or stop growing altogether. Leuprolide acetate is a type of LHRH agonist. They may also be called gonadotropin-releasing hormone blockers (GnRH blockers).2. Instructions for using Leuprolide acetate
Leuprolide acetate is prepared in an injectable form. The drug will be administered by subcutaneous injection (SQ) and administered by medical staff every 4 weeks. Some patients are prescribed long-term use of the drug (called depot) by intramuscular (IM) injection. Medical staff will administer injections into the patient's muscles at intervals of 3, 4 or 6 months.
Leuprolide acetate can also be used as an implant (Viadur) that is inserted under the skin in the upper arm and lasts for 12 months.
3. What are the side effects when using Leuprolide acetate?
The side effects that Leuprolide acetate causes will appear based on the medical condition, the patient's physical condition and the patient's response to the drug. Symptoms will vary from person to person and they can be controlled with a variety of methods and accompanying medications.
Some of the most common side effects of Leuprolide acetate drugs are:
The appearance of many tumors Hot flashes: To reduce the frequency of this symptom you can use some more drugs such as: Clonidine (a blood pressure medication), Venlafaxine and Fluoxetine in low doses (an antidepressant), Gabapentin. However, you need to talk to your doctor to get the correct dosage of these drugs. Patients feel muscle, back and joint pain: Using Leuprolide acetate medicine can make you feel achy joints and muscles. Severe cases can be treated with medication. You should talk to your doctor about the dose of pain relievers that do not affect your cancer. Depression: Manifestations of this symptom include irritability, insomnia or excessive sleeping, disinterest in normal activities, hopelessness, sadness, changes in appetite. You should contact your doctor for appropriate treatment. Osteoporosis: Male patients who use Leuprolide acetate for a long time may develop osteoporosis. To prevent this disease you can give the patient more calcium and vitamin D supplements. You may have a bone density scan (DEXA scan) for evaluation. If your doctor determines that you are at high risk for osteoporosis, they may recommend additional treatment with a drug called a bisphosphonate to help strengthen bones. Decreased libido: This symptom may appear during the use of the drug and disappear after the end of the course of treatment with the drug. You may notice a lack of ability to get and maintain an erection, a loss of sex drive, or a decrease in the size of your testicles. Tightness or enlargement of breast tissue: An increase in breast tissue is also known as gynecomastia or breast engorgement. This symptom may be accompanied by pain, if the pain is too much you may be prescribed medication or radiation. Post-injection reactions: After injecting Leuprolide acetate, patients may experience pain, discomfort, and redness. These are post-injection allergic reactions, you should notify your healthcare provider so the problem can be resolved. Fatigue: Fatigue is very common during cancer treatment and is a feeling of exhaustion that often doesn't go away with rest. During cancer treatment and for a period of time afterward, you may need to adjust your schedule to manage fatigue. Less common side effects of Leuprolide acetate:
Hyperglycemia: This drug may increase blood sugar in patients with and without diabetes. If you experience increased thirst, urination or hunger, blurred vision, headache, or your breath has a fruity odor, notify your healthcare provider. Heart rhythm disturbances: Leuprolide acetate may cause a slow or irregular heartbeat. The typical clinical manifestations are dizziness and fainting. Heart disease and stroke: Leuprolide acetate may increase your risk of stroke and heart attack. Symptoms may include swelling, redness or pain in the extremities, pain or pressure in the chest, pain in the arms, back, neck or jaw, trouble breathing, numbness or weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, confusion or mental state changes. Seizures: This drug may increase the risk of seizures, especially in patients with a history of seizures or epilepsy. Make sure your health care team knows about any anticonvulsants you are taking. In addition, users may experience other side effects such as spinal cord compression and ureteral obstruction.
4. Effects of Leuprolide acetate on fertility
Leuprolide acetate can cause irregular sperm production or even stop it permanently. In addition, you may experience erectile dysfunction or decreased sex drive during treatment. Talk to your urologist about options for treating erectile dysfunction.
Exposure of infants to this drug can cause birth defects, so you should not plan to have children while using this medicine.
Leuprolide acetate drug has an effective effect in the treatment of prostate. People who intend to become pregnant, are sensitive to the ingredients in Leuprolide acetate should not use this medicine. Hopefully, the article has provided you with useful information about the uses, dosage and precautions when using Leuprolide acetate.
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