Lupron is the brand name for leuprolide acetate. This drug is a type of hormone therapy that doctors typically use in combination with other treatments to treat people with prostate cancer. Lupron belongs to a class of drugs called luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists. These medications block the production of LHRH in the body, which results in the testicles producing less testosterone. Lupron is one of several drugs that doctors may prescribe to help fight prostate cancer by reducing testosterone levels in the body. In this article, we explore how Lupron works, how effective it is, and what to expect during treatment. We also discuss testosterone flares, side effects, and the outlook for people with prostate cancer.

How does it work? Share on Pinterest A doctor will administer Lupron as a small implant injected under the skin. Lupron and other LHRH agonists are forms of hormone therapy. For people with prostate cancer, the aim of hormone therapy is to reduce testosterone levels in the body. Male hormones, such as testosterone, encourage the growth of prostate cancer cells. Therefore, lowering testosterone levels in the body can help slow the progression of prostate cancer. Doctors typically prescribe hormone therapy for people with late-stage prostate cancer or prostate cancer that returns. Some doctors use hormone therapy when the disease is in the early stages, but the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommend watching and waiting as the best approach for early-stage prostate cancer.

How effective is it? Hormone therapies, such as Lupron, are often effective in combination with other treatments for people with late-stage prostate cancer. Many doctors do not recommend hormone therapy during the early stages of this disease. One potential issue is that prostate cancer can become resistant to LHRH agonists over time in some people. According to the ACS, doctors may recommend hormone therapies, such as Lupron, for: cancer that comes back after radiation therapy or surgery

cancer that has spread too far for radiation therapy or surgery to cure it

people who cannot have radiation therapy or surgery

shrinking cancer before radiation therapy

people who are having radiation therapy and have a high risk of cancer returning after treatment

What to expect during treatment Doctors often use hormone therapies, such as Lupron, in combination with radiation therapy or other treatments. They may also use it following surgery. Healthcare professionals administer Lupron as a depot, which is a small implant that they inject under the person’s skin. The individual can often choose an injection site that is suitable for them. Common injection sites include: upper arms

outer thighs

buttocks The treatment regimen for Lupron will depend on the individual’s circumstances, and a person can work with their doctor to determine the best dosage. Some typical dosages include: 7.5 mg — one injection every 4 weeks

22.5 mg — one injection every 12 weeks

30 mg — one injection every 16 weeks

45 mg — one injection every 24 weeks When a person first starts treatment with Lupron, they may have a testosterone flare. Later on, they may experience side effects due to having very low testosterone levels in their body. After treatment stops, testosterone levels begin to return to normal.

Testosterone flares When a person first takes Lupron, their testosterone levels may rise, or flare, before dropping to very low levels. For some people, particularly those with advanced prostate cancer, a testosterone flare can temporarily cause their symptoms to worsen. The symptoms of a testosterone flare can include: blockage of the ureters, the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder

bone pain

worsening nerve symptoms

spinal cord compression

issues with urination To help prevent a testosterone flare, doctors may also prescribe an anti-androgen drug during the first few weeks of treatment with an LHRH agonist.

Side effects Share on Pinterest Side effects of Lupron can include hot flashes, depression, and fatigue. As with any medical treatment, Lupron and other hormone therapies can cause side effects. Many of these side effects are symptoms of having very low testosterone levels. Possible side effects of hormone therapies, such as Lupron, can include: loss of muscle mass

hot flashes

fatigue

skin irritation at the site of injection

erectile dysfunction or loss of sex drive

shrunken testicles and penis

changes in blood lipids

depression

osteoporosis

mood swings

breast tenderness

weight gain

the growth of breast tissue

anemia A person should discuss any side effects that they are experiencing with their healthcare team. If the side effects are severe, the doctor may recommend changing the dosage or trying a different treatment.

Alternative treatment options There are several treatment options for prostate cancer, including other LHRH agonists and various types of hormone therapy. Other LHRH agonists include: goserelin (Zoladex)

triptorelin (Trelstar)

histrelin (Vantas) Alternative hormone therapies include: Orchiectomy . Also known as surgical castration, this is a surgical procedure to remove a person’s testicles. The testicles produce most of the body’s testosterone.

. Also known as surgical castration, this is a surgical procedure to remove a person’s testicles. The testicles produce most of the body’s testosterone. LHRH antagonists . These drugs work in a similar way to LHRH agonists, but they lower testosterone levels much more quickly. LHRH antagonists are a form of chemical castration, and doctors use them to treat people with advanced prostate cancer.

. These drugs work in a similar way to LHRH agonists, but they lower testosterone levels much more quickly. LHRH antagonists are a form of chemical castration, and doctors use them to treat people with advanced prostate cancer. CYP17 inhibitors . In addition to the testicles, other cells in the body produce small amounts of testosterone. CYP17 inhibitors block these cells from making testosterone.

. In addition to the testicles, other cells in the body produce small amounts of testosterone. CYP17 inhibitors block these cells from making testosterone. Anti-androgens. These drugs prevent testosterone from working in the body. Doctors usually prescribe anti-androgens in combination with other hormone therapies. The first treatment for people with prostate cancer is often watchful waiting, where a doctor closely monitors a person to see how the disease progresses. Prostate cancer can progress very slowly, and some people may never require any treatment. If a person’s cancer does progress to more advanced stages, treatment options can include: radiation therapy

surgery

cryotherapy

chemotherapy

vaccine treatment Doctors often use hormone therapies either in combination with or following one of these treatments.

Outlook Share on Pinterest Survival rates for prostate cancer are generally very high. As prostate cancer often progresses very slowly, the survival rates for this disease are generally high. According to the ACS, the overall 5-year relative survival rate for prostate cancer is 98 percent. This statistic means that people with prostate cancer are 98 percent as likely to live for at least 5 years following diagnosis as those without the condition. However, a person’s outlook can depend on how advanced the disease is when a doctor diagnoses them with prostate cancer. For people with cancer that has not spread beyond the prostate or has only spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes, the 5-year relative survival rate is nearly 100 percent. If the cancer has spread to other areas of the body, such as the lungs, liver, or bones, the 5-year relative survival rate is 30 percent. It is important to note that everyone’s outlook is different and that doctors have based these estimates on the data of men who received a diagnosis between 2008 and 2014.