For U.S. Residents Only
ABOUT ELIGARD
A Hormonal Therapy for The Management of
Advanced Prostate Cancer
IMPORTANT SAFETY IMFORMATION
ELIGARD - A Hormonal Therapy for The Management of Advanced Prostate Cancer
ELIGARD is a prescription medication for the palliative treatment (management of
symptoms) of advanced prostate cancer. ELIGARD is an LHRH (luteinizing hormone-releasing
hormone) agonist. It is designed to reduce the amount of testosterone in the body
by reducing the testicles' production of testosterone. It is not a cure for advanced
prostate cancer.
ELIGARD is available in 4 different prescription doses, giving you and your physician
flexible dosing options for the management of advanced prostate cancer. The ELIGARD
45 mg shot, is a 6-month hormone therapy
for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. ELIGARD 45 mg provides a full year
of hormone therapy with 2 injections at 6 month intervals. Ask you doctor if the 6-month dose may be right for you.
How It Works
ELIGARD is an LHRH agonist. Male hormones, such as testosterone, stimulate the growth
of prostate cancer cells. The goal of hormonal therapy for advanced prostate cancer
is to lower the body's level of male hormones. Most of the body's testosterone is
made by the testicles; ELIGARD lowers the ability of the testicles to produce
testosterone.
As with other LHRH agonists, the first shot of ELIGARD will make testosterone levels
rise during the first and 2nd weeks. Patients may experience worsening of symptoms
or new symptoms during the first weeks of treatment, including bone pain, nerve
damage, blood in the urine, pressure on the spine, or difficulty urinating. However,
within 2 to 4 weeks, ELIGARD then causes testosterone levels to fall. Contact your doctor if your symptoms continue or worsen.
- How often will I get an ELIGARD injection?
- How long might my treatment last?
- Who will give me the shot?
- Where will the shot be given?
- What are the common side effects of ELIGARD?
- What should I do if they occur?
- How does the "palpable mass" feel?
- Which medications should I avoid while I'm taking
ELIGARD?
- What should I not do while on ELIGARD?
Important Safety Information
ELIGARD should not be used by women, children, or anyone who is allergic to the
drug leuprolide acetate or any of the ingredients of ELIGARD. Leuprolide acetate
can cause harm to the fetus if given to a pregnant woman.
ELIGARD, like other drugs in its class, causes a temporary increase in testosterone
during the first and second weeks of treatment. Patients may experience worsening
of symptoms or new symptoms during the first weeks of treatment, including bone
pain, nerve damage, blood in the urine, pressure on the spine, or difficulty urinating.
If your cancer has spread to the spine or urinary tract, urinary blockage or pressure
in the spine may occur and can sometimes lead to paralysis, which may be fatal.
You may require close medical attention during the first few weeks of therapy and
you should notify your doctor if you develop any new or worsened symptoms after
beginning treatment with ELIGARD.
The most common injection site side effects are temporary burning and stinging,
pain, bruising and redness. The most common systemic adverse events include mild
to severe hot flashes/sweats, fatigue, weakness, fever, muscle pain, testicular
shrinkage and breast enlargement. For more information on these and other side effects,
please talk to your doctor.
Indication
ELIGARD is a prescription drug, given by injection, for the management of advanced
prostate cancer. However, there is no known cure for prostate cancer.
Please see and full mixing and administration instructions.
Click here
for information on drug anti-counterfeiting.
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