Overview
Eligard is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. It is a form of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) that reduces testosterone levels to slow the growth of prostate cancer cells. Eligard is also known by its drug name, leuprolide acetate.

Eligard is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. It works by initially increasing and then greatly decreasing testosterone production, helping to deprive prostate cancer cells of the hormones they need to grow.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Eligard is administered as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection at intervals ranging from every month to every six months, depending on the dose selected. Each dose is designed for a specific schedule and is not interchangeable. The drug should be given exactly as prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of Eligard include malaise (general discomfort), fatigue, hot flushes or sweats, and testicular atrophy (shrinking of the testicles).

Rare but serious side effects may include tumor flare (a temporary rise in testosterone that may worsen symptoms), hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), diabetes, cardiovascular problems such as heart attack or stroke, QT interval prolongation (a heart rhythm disorder), convulsions (seizures), and severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Rare cases of pituitary apoplexy (bleeding into or impaired blood supply of the pituitary gland) and decreased bone density have also been reported. Eligard may cause fetal harm and may impair fertility.

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Label: Eligard — Leuprolide Acetate Injection, Suspension, Extended Release — DailyMed