Leuprolide
Brand Names
Lupron Depot (injection)® Viadur (implant) (There may be other brand names for this medication)
How is it Administered?
Your medicine will be given by injection or implant.
What is it Used For?
This drug is used to treat prostate cancer in men and ovarian, breast, and endometrial cancer in women
How Does it Work?
Leuprolide is a synthetic (man-made) hormone that belongs to a class of medications called LHRH (leutinizing hormone releasing hormone) agonists. The LHRH agonists work by telling the pituitary gland, located in the brain, to stop producing leutinizing hormone.
In men, leutinizing hormone stimulates the production of testosterone, a male hormone. Male hormones, or androgens, that normally circulate throughout a man’s body can encourage some types of prostate cancers to grow. Leuprolide stops the production of testosterone.
In women, leutinizing hormone stimulates the production of estrodial (estrogen), which can encourage some breast cancers to grow. Leuprolide decreases the production of estradiol to levels similar to a postmenopausal state.
