Understanding how Lupron Depot^® works and what to expect during the different stages of therapy can be an important part of treating endometriosis. The more you know, the better equipped you will be to share your experiences and concerns with your doctor, and this can help him or her to optimize your treatment.

How Lupron Depot works

Lupron Depot, like other gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa), works to manage endometriosis by lowering hormone levels. It is this lowering of hormone levels that decreases endometrial growths and provides symptom relief.

Dosage options

Lupron Depot is available as an injection (shot) that can be given by a doctor or healthcare provider once every 3 months (11.25 mg) or once each month (3.75 mg) for a 6-month treatment period. The dosage form you and your doctor select will determine how often you need to visit your doctor’s office for an injection.

Add-back therapy

Since treatment with Lupron Depot lowers hormone levels, during treatment with Lupron Depot you may experience side effects such as bone density loss and hot flashes. Bone density loss may be partially or completely recovered after you stop therapy, and hot flashes will generally disappear. From day one of therapy, your doctor can help decrease these side effects by prescribing Lupron Depot with add-back therapy.

Add-back therapy is a pill (norethindrone acetate 5 mg daily) that adds back low levels of a hormone without interfering with the effectiveness of Lupron Depot. It reduces the bone density loss associated with the use of Lupron Depot. It can also reduce hot flashes.

Read on to learn more about what you can expect during and after Lupron Depot therapy.

Please see below for important information on Lupron Depot^®, including side effects.

*Norethindrone acetate 5mg daily