Alternative Brand Name: Lucrin Depot
Lupron Hexal is often classified as a man-made form of hormone which helps regulating many processes in the body. Also often known as leuprolide, it over stimulates the body’s own production of certain hormones and it results in causing that production to shut down temporarily. This drug reduces the amount of testosterone in men or estrogen in women.
Lupron Hexal is widely used for treating the symptoms of prostate cancer in men. In women, it is used to treat symptoms of endometriosis which is the overgrowth of uterine lining outside of the uterus or uterine fibroids. This drug is also often used to treat any precocious puberty in both male and female children.
What you should know about Lupron
Lupron can cause birth defects and should not be taken by pregnant women. It should also not be taken if you are allergic to leuprolide or medications similar to it, such as- buserelin (Suprefact, Suprecor), goserelin (Zoladex), histrelin (Supprelin), nafarelin (Synarel), and in some conditions like abnormal vaginal bleeding which hasn’t been diagnosed by a doctor, breast-feeding an infant etc.
Before starting Lupron, it is recommended that a patient should share with a doctor if they have been suffering from epilepsy, asthma, migraines, heart or kidney disease, or has a history of depression, bone cancer affecting your spine, blood in your urine or disability to urinate. Besides, it should be shared with a doctor if a person has a personal or family history of osteoporosis or if they have any risk factors for bone loss such as smoking, alcohol abuse, seizure medications, steroid etc. It should be noted that long term use of this medication may decrease bone density, which could lead to osteoporosis.
It should be highlighted that certain brands or strengths of leuprolide are used to treat men only and should not be taken by women and children. It is important that one should check their medication to be certain that they are getting the correct brand and strength as prescribed by a doctor. Other than that, a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use Lupron is required if you suffer from a condition like:
- a personal or family history of osteoporosis;
- risk factors for bone loss such as smoking, alcohol use, or taking steroid or seizure medications long term;
- epilepsy;
- asthma;
- migraines;
- heart disease;
- kidney disease;
- a history of depression;
- bone cancer affecting your spine;
- blood in your urine; or
- if you are unable to urinate.
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