WHAT CAN I EXPECT
during LUPRON DEPOT therapy?

After a few weeks you should start to feel endometriosis
pain relief^1,2

You may have been living with endometriosis for a long time and are hoping for immediate relief. While LUPRON DEPOT injections can manage your endometriosis, please keep in mind that you won’t see results overnight. It may take a few weeks for LUPRON DEPOT to work.¹

Symptoms increase temporarily at first²

In the first week or two, your estrogen level will increase, and you may notice an increase in your endometriosis symptoms. This is only temporary, so discuss any concerns with your doctor. Multiple studies support the use of LUPRON DEPOT for proven relief from endometriosis pain when used for a full 6 months of therapy. The effectiveness of LUPRON DEPOT when used for less than 6 months has not been established.^1,2

Relief should begin after a few weeks^1,2

After 2–4 weeks of LUPRON DEPOT therapy, you should start to feel relief from endometriosis pain, and in the following months, your periods should stop.^1,2

What to expect during LUPRON DEPOT therapy

Since ovulation and menstruation usually stop with effective doses of LUPRON DEPOT, you should notify your doctor if regular menstruation persists. If you miss successive doses of LUPRON DEPOT, you may experience breakthrough bleeding.²

What can I expect when starting LUPRON DEPOT therapy?

Answers from gynecologist Dr. Sheldon Weiss Length: 05:23 – Play video

– See all videos

LUPRON DEPOT therapy has 2 different dosing options²

Your doctor may suggest a once-monthly or every-3-month dosing plan for a 6-month initial treatment, which may also include Add-back (norethindrone acetate 5 mg) therapy. Add-back* may not be appropriate for all women, so your doctor will assess whether Add-back* is right for you. After the initial 6 months of therapy, your doctor may decide to extend treatment for another 6 months, along with Add-back* therapy.²

Things to keep in mind

LUPRON DEPOT is not a method of birth control. Even though you may not have a period, unprotected intercourse could result in pregnancy. You should use non-hormonal birth control during treatment to prevent pregnancy. Contact your doctor immediately if you think you may be pregnant.²

The side effects of LUPRON DEPOT therapy, and how Add‑back* can help

LUPRON DEPOT injections suppress sex hormone production, leading to a low-estrogen state. While on therapy, most women experience side effects similar to those associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, which are temporary and reversible after completing therapy. You should know that LUPRON DEPOT does NOT put you into menopause. You may also experience bone density loss, which may not be completely reversible. These side effects are expected and signal a decrease in estrogen levels. This decrease can help reduce the pain and lesions associated with endometriosis.^2,3

Your doctor can prescribe Add-back* from Day 1 of your LUPRON DEPOT treatment. This can help you experience fewer hot flashes and help reduce bone density loss.^2,4

Add-back* is not appropriate for all women. You should not take Add-back* if you have ever had blood clots, heart disease, stroke, impaired liver function or liver disease or breast cancer.²

Most hormonal effects of LUPRON DEPOT are reversible²

After completion of a full course of treatment with LUPRON DEPOT therapy, the hormonal effects you may have experienced should subside.²

Your normal menstrual cycle should return. The amount of time for your menstrual cycle to return is different for each woman.²
– In one study, 95% of women resumed their cycle within 3 months after completion of therapy.²
Low-estrogen symptoms, such as hot flashes, usually disappear within 2½ to 5½ months from the day of the last injection, depending on your dose of medication.^1,2
Bone density loss usually starts to recover after discontinuing therapy. Bone loss might not be completely reversible in some patients. Since some conditions may increase the possibility of bone thinning, you should tell your doctor if you smoke, use alcohol heavily, have a family history of osteoporosis (thinning of the bones with fractures), or are taking other medications that cause thinning of the bones.²

Add-back* therapy can help you experience fewer hot flashes while taking LUPRON DEPOT.²

*Norethindrone acetate 5 mg daily.

FAQ:

Can I stop taking LUPRON DEPOT once my symptoms subside—before I complete my full course of therapy? Get the answer.

See all the FAQs.

LUPRON DEPOT – Important Safety Facts

Do Not Take

Before Starting
Treatment

LUPRON DEPOT
and Bone Loss

Tell Your
Doctor

What to Expect

Side Effects

Helpful Resources

Print Safety Facts

Do Not Take LUPRON DEPOT if:

You should not receive LUPRON DEPOT if you are or may become pregnant, are breast-feeding, have undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, or if you have experienced any type of allergic reaction to LUPRON DEPOT, or similar drugs.
You should not receive Add-back* plus LUPRON DEPOT if you currently have or have had any clotting disorder, heart disease, stroke, impaired liver function or liver disease, or breast cancer.

*Norethindrone acetate 5 mg.
Reference: LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg and –3 Month 11.25 mg [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: Abbott Laboratories.

Before Starting Treatment

You should know that LUPRON DEPOT is not a method of birth control and unprotected intercourse could result in pregnancy. To prevent pregnancy, you should use a non-hormonal form of birth control.
You should know that if you miss doses of LUPRON DEPOT, you may experience breakthrough bleeding and ovulation can occur.
You should know there is a possibility of the development or worsening of depression and/or the occurrence of forgetfulness.

Reference: LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg and –3 Month 11.25 mg [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: Abbott Laboratories.

LUPRON DEPOT and Bone Loss

Thinning of the bones may occur during therapy with LUPRON DEPOT alone, which may not be completely reversible in some patients.
If you smoke, use alcohol in excess, have a family history of osteoporosis, or are taking other medications that can cause thinning of the bones, treatment with LUPRON DEPOT alone is not recommended and combination with Add-back* should be considered.
Add-back* therapy can help reduce the bone loss that occurs with the use of LUPRON DEPOT alone.
If you and your doctor are considering a second course of treatment, bone mineral testing is recommended and retreatment with LUPRON DEPOT should include Add-back* therapy.

*Norethindrone acetate 5 mg.
Reference: LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg and –3 Month 11.25 mg [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: Abbott Laboratories.

Tell Your Doctor

Tell your doctor right away if you think you are pregnant before or during LUPRON DEPOT treatment.
Before taking Add-back*, tell your doctor if you currently have or have had high cholesterol, migraines, epilepsy, or depression, or if you smoke.
During treatment with Add-back*, tell your doctor right away if you have a sudden loss of vision or double vision, or if migraine headaches occur.
Because Add-back* may cause some degree of fluid retention, tell your doctor if you experience fluid retention, seizure, asthma or worsening of asthmatic symptoms, or heart or kidney problems.

*Norethindrone acetate 5 mg.
Reference: LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg and –3 Month 11.25 mg [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: Abbott Laboratories.

What to Expect

Your estrogen levels will increase for 1 or 2 weeks after beginning LUPRON DEPOT. During this time, you may notice an increase in your current symptoms. You should notify your doctor if you develop any new or worsened symptoms after beginning LUPRON DEPOT treatment.
It is common for your periods to stop with effective doses of LUPRON DEPOT. Tell your doctor if you continue to have regular periods while receiving treatment.

Reference: LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg and –3 Month 11.25 mg [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: Abbott Laboratories.

Side Effects

The most common side effects of LUPRON DEPOT include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, headaches, changes in mood, decreased interest in sex, depression, and/or the occurrence of forgetfulness.

Reference: LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg and –3 Month 11.25 mg [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: Abbott Laboratories.

Helpful Resources

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

If you cannot afford your medication, contact www.pparx.org or call the toll-free phone number (1-888-4PPA-NOW) for assistance.

Reference: LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg and –3 Month 11.25 mg [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: Abbott Laboratories.

View the full Prescribing Information for LUPRON DEPOT.
http://www.rxabbott.com/pdf/lupron3_75mg.pdf
http://www.rxabbott.com/pdf/lupron3month11_25mg.pdf

Use for LUPRON DEPOT^®
(leuprolide acetate for depot suspension)

LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg for 1-month and 11.25 mg for 3-month administration are used for the management of endometriosis, including pain relief and reduction of endometriotic lesions.

LUPRON DEPOT with daily norethindrone acetate 5 mg (Add-back*) is also indicated for initial management of endometriosis and for management of recurrence of symptoms.

The recommended initial treatment is no more than 6 months. Repeat treatment for endometriosis should be limited to 6 months. LUPRON DEPOT must be administered in your doctor’s office.

*Norethindrone acetate 5 mg.

Reference: LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg and –3 Month 11.25 mg [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: Abbott Laboratories.

References:

Data on file, Abbott Laboratories.
LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg and –3 Month 11.25 mg [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: Abbott Laboratories.
National Institute of Child Health & Human Development. Facts About Endometriosis. Washington, DC: US Dept of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health; 1991. NIH publication 91-2413.
Olive DL. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists for endometriosis. N Engl J Med. 2008;359:1136-1142.

WHAT CAN I EXPECTduring LUPRON DEPOT therapy?

After a few weeks you should start to feel endometriosispain relief 1,2

Symptoms increase temporarily at first 2

Relief should begin after a few weeks1,2

What can I expect when starting LUPRON DEPOT therapy?

LUPRON DEPOT therapy has 2 different dosing options2

Things to keep in mind

The side effects of LUPRON DEPOT therapy, and how Add‑back* can help

Most hormonal effects of LUPRON DEPOT are reversible2

FAQ:

References:

Important Safety Information

WHAT CAN I EXPECT
during LUPRON DEPOT therapy?

After a few weeks you should start to feel endometriosis
pain relief^1,2

Symptoms increase temporarily at first²

Relief should begin after a few weeks^1,2

LUPRON DEPOT therapy has 2 different dosing options²

Most hormonal effects of LUPRON DEPOT are reversible²