Leuprolide injection side effects: A detailed guide

This article describes possible side effects of leuprolide injection. To learn more about leuprolide, including the drug’s uses, ways to save on cost, and more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Leuprolide injection is a generic medication. It isn’t available in a brand-name version. 

Need a diagnosis or prescription quickly? For certain health conditions, Optum Perks offers personalized on-demand care with no appointment required. For $25, answer a few questions online and receive a diagnosis and treatment plan from a board certified healthcare professional in 15 minutes or less. Get started here.

More common side effects of leuprolide

Leuprolide injection may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.

Commonly reported side effects of leuprolide injection include:

• erectile dysfunction (ED)
• hot flashes
• swelling due to fluid retention
• temporary bone pain
• temporary increased trouble urinating

Mild side effects of leuprolide

Leuprolide may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of leuprolide injection that occurred in studies include:

• appetite loss
• breast tissue pain or growth
• constipation
• dizziness
• ED
• headache
• hot flashes
• lack of energy or weakness
• mood changes
• muscle aches
• nausea or vomiting
• pain or irritation at the injection site
• shrinkage of the testicles
• sleep problems
• swelling due to fluid retention
• temporary bone pain
• temporary increased trouble urinating
• mild allergic reaction*†

Leuprolide injection may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of leuprolide in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with leuprolide injection. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.

Serious side effects of leuprolide

Leuprolide may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from leuprolide injection, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with leuprolide.

Serious side effects of leuprolide injection that occurred in studies include:

• high blood pressure
• high blood sugar, which may lead to diabetes
• increased risk of heart attack or stroke
• a blood clot in your lungs
• loss of bone density, which can weaken bones and lead to fractures
• prolonged QT interval (atypical electrical activity in your heart that can be life threatening)
• spinal cord compression*
• urinary tract blockage*
• severe allergic reaction*†

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of leuprolide in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with leuprolide injection. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.

Common questions about side effects of leuprolide

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of leuprolide injection. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How do side effects of leuprolide compare in males vs. females?

Leuprolide is approved to treat advanced prostate cancer in males.* It isn’t approved for use in females.* Because of this, the prescribing information doesn’t list side effects in females.

Use of leuprolide injection in females would be an off-label use of the drug. “Off-label” means doctors prescribe a drug for a condition other than its approved uses.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about off-label uses of leuprolide and what to expect for side effects.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.

Does leuprolide cause long-term side effects?

Yes, in some cases, leuprolide injection may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time or side effects may last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.

Examples of long-term side effects reported with leuprolide injection include:

• ED
• loss of bone density, which can weaken bones and lead to fractures
• shrinkage of the testicles

Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Also, ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of leuprolide may last.

Side effects of leuprolide in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of leuprolide injection.

Spinal cord compression

Spinal cord compression was rare in studies of people receiving leuprolide injection. This side effect may be serious.

With spinal cord compression, something puts pressure on your spinal cord. It can happen when vertebrae (bones in the spinal cord) collapse. Symptoms may include:

• bowel or bladder leakage
• numbness or tingling
• pain
• trouble walking
• weakness

Prostate cancer that has spread to the spine can increase the risk of spinal cord compression with leuprolide injection.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of spinal cord compression, get medical care right away. Tell your doctor about any new or worsening nerve symptoms after starting leuprolide injection.

Urinary tract blockage

Urinary tract blockage was rare in studies of people receiving leuprolide injection. This side effect may be serious.

The type of urinary tract blockage reported with leuprolide is called ureter blockage. Your ureters are tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder. Symptoms may include:

• bloody or cloudy urine
• fever
• nausea or vomiting
• pain in the back, abdomen, or side
• trouble emptying your bladder
• recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Ways to manage

When you first start leuprolide treatment, you may notice your symptoms worsening. This can include having more trouble urinating. Tell your doctor if this happens. They can determine whether it’s an expected reaction to treatment or something more serious. If you experience symptoms of urinary tract blockage, get medical care right away.

Allergic reaction

For some people, leuprolide injection can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to leuprolide injection, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for leuprolide

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before leuprolide injection treatment.

Warnings

It may not be safe for you to receive leuprolide injection if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether leuprolide injection is a safe treatment option for you.

Before leuprolide injection treatment, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• depression
• diabetes
• heart or blood vessel problems
• osteoporosis (bone weakness)
• past allergic reaction to leuprolide

Leuprolide and alcohol

Leuprolide injection is not known to interact with alcohol.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with leuprolide injection.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of leuprolide injection. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How do the side effects of leuprolide compare with those of other drugs that could treat my condition?
• Do I have a higher risk of side effects than other people?
• How can I manage the most common side effects of leuprolide injection?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.