Hormone drug: Leuprorelin acetate (Brand names: Prostap® SR, Prostap® 3)
The information on this page comes from our Tool Kit fact sheet on Leuprorelin. To order your own tailored copy of the Tool Kit, visit our publications page. You can also download and print a PDF version of this fact sheet.
This page is for men who are about to start, or are already taking, leuprorelin to control their prostate cancer. It explains how the drug is taken, why it is used and what side effects it may cause. This page should be used together with the information that comes with your medicine and the advice of your specialist team or pharmacist.
- What is leuprorelin?
- How do I take leuprorelin?
- What happens if I miss an injection?
- What are the side effects?
- Loss of sex drive and erectile dysfunction
- Hot flushes
- Tiredness
- Weight gain
- Anxiety and depression
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
- Sore joints
- Bone thinning
- Breast swelling and tenderness
- How long will I need to take leuprorelin?
- Links
What is leuprorelin?
Leuprorelin is a form of hormone therapy called an LHRH (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone) agonist. Its brand name is Prostap.
Leuprorelin slows down the growth of prostate cancer cells by blocking a message from the brain telling the testicles to produce testosterone. Most prostate cancer cells need testosterone to grow and spread.
How do I take leuprorelin?
Leuprorelin is injected either into the muscle or just under the skin of the upper arm, abdomen or thigh. The injection is not usually painful but your skin may darken or redden for a short time afterwards. You may be given the injection by your GP, practice nurse, district nurse or at your local hospital.
You may have the injections every four weeks or every three months, depending on the dose of the drug. The two doses work equally well at controlling the cancer. The only difference between them is the length of time the drug works for.
Drug |
Dose |
How often |
Prostap SR |
3.75 mg |
Every four weeks |
Prostap 3 |
11.25 mg |
Every three months |
Tumour flare
A few days before starting leuprorelin treatment you will need to take a short course of anti-androgen tablets such as bicalutamide, flutamide or cyproterone acetate.
The anti-androgen prevents a temporary rise in the level of testosterone, which is the body’s natural response to the first injection. This is called tumour flare and can cause an increase in pain and problems passing urine. You may continue to take the anti-androgen tablets for up to three weeks after starting leuprorelin.
What happens if I miss an injection?
The prostate cancer will not spread if your injection is delayed by a few days. If your treatment is missed for longer than this, the cancer may grow and any symptoms you have may get worse. If this happens you will need to start hormone injections again with a short course of anti-androgen tablets to prevent tumour flare.
What are the side effects?
Like all drugs, leuprorelin may cause side effects in some men. We have listed the most common ones here but you should tell your doctor if you feel any change within yourself while you are having treatment.
Some men get very few side effects and others get more. Many side effects will only last for as long as you are taking the drug. However, if you take leuprorelin for a long period of time, it may take several months after you finish treatment for the side effects to stop.
Before you take leuprorelin, you should tell your doctor if you have any bone pain or problems passing urine. If you have any questions or worries about any side effects, speak to your doctor or specialist nurse. You can also call our confidential Helpline.
Loss of sex drive and erectile dysfunction
Most men taking leuprorelin have problems getting and keeping an erection. Some men also lose their desire for sex (libido). These side effects usually start within the first month of treatment. Normal function and sensation should return a few weeks or months after you stop treatment.
Hot flushes
Some men who take leuprorelin get hot flushes. These usually start in the first month of treatment.
Tiredness
You may feel tired and have trouble sleeping when you start to take leuprorelin. This usually improves within a couple of months. Regular resistance exercise, such as swimming or weight training, may increase your energy levels and help you cope with treatment 1 .
Weight gain
You may put on weight around the waist or chest.
Anxiety and depression
Leuprorelin affects your hormone levels and this can cause mood swings. Your doctor or specialist team can offer support. Talking to family and friends about how you feel can also help.
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
Some men get an upset stomach or feel sick from time to time when they are taking leuprorelin. If needed, your doctor can give you medicine to ease the symptoms.
Sore joints
This is usually mild and settles when you stop taking leuprorelin. It most often happens during the tumour flare stage when you first start taking leuprorelin. Your doctor or specialist nurse can offer you treatments such as pain relief and hot packs.
Bone thinning
If you take leuprorelin for more than a few months, it may cause your bones to become weaker (osteoporosis). You may get an uncomfortable feeling in your bones and joints. Your doctor will keep an eye on your symptoms and help you decide if you need any treatment.
Breast swelling and tenderness
A small number of men get swelling (gynaecomastia) and tenderness in one or both breasts. Your doctor can give you advice on how this can be prevented or treated.
How long will I need to take leuprorelin?
You can take leuprorelin for as long as it is controlling the cancer. Read our section on what happens afterwards for information on other treatments that can be used after hormone therapy.
Links
Medicines.org.uk
http://www.medicines.org.uk
This page contains links to information about medicines, including copies of the leaflets supplied by pharmaceutical companies and information in large print, audio and Braille.
References to sources of information used in the production of this fact sheet are available on our website.
Reviewed by:
- Dr John Graham, Lead Consultant Oncologist, Taunton & Somerset NHS Trust
- Nicola James, Macmillan Nurse Consultant; Uro-oncology, Chesterfield NHS Foundation Trust
- Dr Chris Parker, Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Clinical Oncology, Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Marsden Hospital
- Lucy Powell, Urology Cancer Nurse Specialist, Essex Rivers NHS Trust
- The Prostate Cancer Charity Information Volunteers
- The Prostate Cancer Charity Support & Information Specialist Nurses
Written and edited by:
The Prostate Cancer Charity Information Team
References used in the production of this page
1.Segal RJ, Reid RD, Courneya KS et al. Resistance training in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology 2003; 21: 1653-1659.