GnRH analogue
Leuprorelin acetate
Brand names: Prostap, Lutrate, Lupron
Adult dose
Dose: Depot: 3.75mg every 4 weeks, 11.25mg every 12 weeks, 22.5mg every 12 weeks, or 30mg every 24 weeks
Route: SC/IM (depot)
Frequency: every 4–24 weeks
Clinical pearls
- Prostate cancer (with antiandrogen cover), endometriosis, fibroids, central precocious puberty
- Co-prescribe bicalutamide/cyproterone for first 2 weeks in metastatic prostate cancer
Contraindications
- Pregnancy
- Hypersensitivity
- Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
Side effects
- Hot flushes
- Loss of libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Bone loss
- Tumour flare (initial — co-prescribe anti-androgen 1–2 weeks)
- Cardiovascular events
Interactions
- QT-prolonging drugs
Monitoring
- Testosterone/PSA
- Bone density (long-term)
Reference: BNF; NICE NG131/NG73; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/leuprorelin-acetate/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.