Lucrin Depot and Lucrin Depot Paediatric PDS injection (Leuprorelin Acetate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Lucrin Depot and Lucrin Depot Paediatric PDS injection Used For?
Lucrin Depot contains leuprorelin acetate and is a hormone therapy medication used to treat specific medical conditions in men and children.
Primary Uses
Lucrin is prescribed to treat prostate cancer in men and central precocious puberty (unusually early puberty) in children.
How It Works
Lucrin works by affecting hormone levels in the body to help control the progression of these conditions.
How to Take Lucrin Depot and Lucrin Depot Paediatric PDS injection
Lucrin is given as an injection into the muscle by your doctor or nurse. This is not a medication you can take at home.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will determine the exact dose and how often you need the injection based on your specific condition and medical assessment. The medication comes in different strengths: 7.5mg (1-month), 22.5mg (3-month), 30mg (4-month and pediatric), and 45mg (6-month) formulations.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Do not miss a scheduled injection. Keep all your appointments to ensure you receive Lucrin regularly. If you have concerns about a missed appointment, contact your doctor immediately.
Important: Never miss a scheduled injection as this can affect the effectiveness of your treatment.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Pain, swelling, or redness at injection site
- Cough
- Unusual tiredness or drowsiness
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Headache
- Mild muscle, back, or joint pain
- Changes in testicular size (men)
- Changes in sex drive or erectile dysfunction (men)
- Hot flushes and sweating
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Ringing in ears
- Skin rash, itching, or acne
- Vaginal irritation or bleeding (children)
- Weight gain (children)
- Mood changes, irritability, restlessness (children)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Swelling in arms or legs
- Vision problems
- Difficulty breathing
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent or painful urination
- Blood in urine
- Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
- Chest pain
- Speech problems
- Bone loss (children)
- Breast changes
- Swelling of face, lips, mouth, or throat
- Weakness in arms or legs
- Unsteadiness when walking
- Sudden collapse
- Sudden severe headache
- Unconsciousness
- Severe allergic skin reactions with blisters and peeling
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions you should be aware of before starting Lucrin treatment.
Who Should Not Take Lucrin Depot and Lucrin Depot Paediatric PDS injection
Do not use Lucrin if you are allergic to leuprorelin acetate or any other ingredients in the medication. Although unlikely, do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless specifically prescribed by your doctor for another condition.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have or have had: convulsions or seizures, diabetes, heart attack or stroke, high blood pressure or cholesterol, depression (low mood, anxiety, feelings of worthlessness), cancer that has spread to the spine (for prostate cancer patients), or any other medical conditions. Also inform them of all other medicines you are taking.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Make sure your doctor is aware if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, although this medication is not typically prescribed in these situations.
Hormonal Flare: Symptoms may temporarily increase at the beginning of treatment for both prostate cancer (tumor flare) and precocious puberty patients.
Severe Allergic Reactions: Very rare but severe allergic skin reactions including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis have been reported. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you develop a rash with blisters and peeling.
Pituitary Apoplexy in Children: If your child experiences sudden headache, vomiting, vision changes, or unconsciousness, seek urgent medical attention immediately.
Brain Pressure in Children: Watch for signs of increased brain pressure including headache, vision problems, ringing in ears, dizziness, and nausea. Contact your doctor immediately if these occur.
Drug Interactions
Some medications may interfere with Lucrin or be affected by Lucrin treatment. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
Heart Rhythm Risk: Several medications may increase the risk of developing irregular heart rhythms when used with Lucrin.
- quinidine (heart condition treatment)
- disopyramide (heart rhythm treatment)
- procainamide (heart rate treatment)
- amiodarone (heart rhythm treatment)
- sotalol (heart condition treatment)
- dofetilide and ibutilide (heart rhythm maintenance)
- methadone (pain and addiction treatment)
- moxifloxacin (antibiotic)
- risperidone, olanzapine, clozapine (mental health medications)
Alcohol & Driving
Lucrin is unlikely to significantly affect your daily activities, but there are some considerations to keep in mind.
Alcohol
There is no specific information available about using Lucrin with alcohol. Discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Lucrin is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or use machines safely.
Storage
Store Lucrin in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children and do not use after the expiry date.
Overdose Information
Since Lucrin is given by your doctor or nurse, it is unlikely you will receive too much. However, if you have concerns about receiving too much Lucrin, immediately call the Poisons Information Centre at 13 11 26, contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lucrin may cause a temporary increase in symptoms at the beginning of treatment (hormonal flare) before improvement occurs. Your doctor will monitor your progress through regular appointments and blood tests.
The frequency depends on the specific formulation prescribed: 1-month (7.5mg), 3-month (22.5mg), 4-month (30mg), or 6-month (45mg) intervals. Your doctor will determine the best schedule for your condition.
This is called hormonal flare and can be normal at the beginning of treatment for both prostate cancer and precocious puberty. However, contact your doctor if you notice significant increases in pain, difficulty urinating, weakness, or numbness in legs.
Yes, Lucrin Pediatric is specifically formulated for children with precocious puberty. However, parents should watch for serious side effects like sudden headache, vision changes, vomiting, or unconsciousness and seek immediate medical attention if these occur.
Do not miss scheduled injections as this can affect treatment effectiveness. Keep all appointments with your doctor. If you have concerns about a missed appointment, contact your doctor immediately.
Long-term effects can include bone loss (especially in children), changes in hormone levels, and metabolic changes (especially in men with diabetes or high cholesterol). Your doctor will monitor you with regular blood tests and bone density checks.
Seek immediate emergency care for: swelling of face, lips, or throat causing breathing difficulty, sudden severe headache, unconsciousness, vision changes, chest pain, sudden collapse, or severe allergic skin reactions with blisters and peeling.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.