Drug
Leuprolide
Pronounced
"LEW-pro-lide"
Uses
Leuprolide is used to stop early puberty (precocious puberty) in children. It helps to delay sexual development (such as growth of the breasts/testicles) and the start of menstrual periods. It also helps slow down early bone growth to increase the likelihood of reaching normal adult height. Leuprolide works by decreasing the amount of sex hormones that a child's body makes (estrogen in girls, testosterone in boys).
Other Uses
This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
This drug may also be used for gender dysphoria.
How to Use This Medication
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using leuprolide and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This medication is given by injection into a muscle by a health care professional as directed by the doctor, usually once a month. This product slowly releases the medication into the blood over a 1-month period.
Children's dosage is based on weight and response to treatment. The doctor should consider stopping treatment before age 11 for girls and age 12 for boys. Consult the doctor for details.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, mark your calendar with a reminder.
During the first few weeks of treatment, hormone levels will actually go up before they go down. This is a normal response to this medication. You may notice worsening symptoms of early puberty (such as menstrual periods) at the start of treatment. However, you should see an improvement in symptoms usually within 1 to 2 months. Tell the doctor promptly if new or worsened symptoms develop after starting treatment.