Answers to Questions About ELIGARD

Inspired by a real patient.

Find answers to commonly asked questions below

Efficacy & Safety

ELIGARD is a prescription medication used to treat advanced prostate cancer, which is cancer that has spread beyond the prostate gland to affect nearby tissues (locally advanced) or distant organs and bones (metastatic).2,3 It works by reducing testosterone to very low levels, which can help slow the growth of prostate cancer cells.4 Your healthcare provider will determine whether ELIGARD is right for your treatment plan.
ELIGARD works by lowering the amount of testosterone your body produces.4 Prostate cancer cells often rely on testosterone to grow, so reducing testosterone to very low levels can help slow the growth of advanced prostate cancer.5,6 Your healthcare provider will monitor your treatment over time to make sure ELIGARD is working as intended.
ELIGARD has been shown to provide long-lasting testosterone suppression. In clinical studies, ELIGARD helped most patients lower and maintain very low testosterone levels across all dosing options.5 Your healthcare provider will monitor your response to treatment over time.
ELIGARD begins lowering testosterone shortly after treatment begins. In clinical studies, most patients reached very low testosterone levels within 28 days, and ELIGARD is designed to maintain those levels throughout each dosing interval.2,5
The most common side effects include2:
  • Hot flashes
  • Fatigue
  • Temporary burning or stinging at the injection site
  • Testicular shrinkage
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about side effects or experience symptoms that concern you. Please see the full Prescribing Information for additional safety information.
Cardiovascular health is an important consideration during androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), regardless of which treatment option is selected. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of heart disease, stroke, irregular heartbeat, or other cardiovascular conditions.2 They will monitor your health and help manage your cardiovascular risk throughout treatment. Please see the full Prescribing Information for additional safety information.

Dosing & Administration

ELIGARD is available in 1-, 3-, 4-, and 6-month dosing options. Your healthcare provider will recommend the schedule that best fits your treatment plan. Unlike oral ADT therapies, you do not need to remember to take your ADT every day.2,7

ELIGARD is administered as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection by a healthcare provider.2

ELIGARD may be injected into areas with sufficient fatty tissue, including the abdomen, thigh, buttock, or upper arm.2,8 Your healthcare provider will choose the injection site that is most appropriate for you.

Having multiple dosing options allows your healthcare provider to tailor your treatment schedule based on your individual needs and preferences. For some patients, the 6-month dosing option means as few as 2 injections per year and fewer treatment visits.2

Unlike oral hormone therapies that require taking medication daily, ELIGARD is administered by your healthcare provider at scheduled treatment visits and is designed to provide continuous treatment throughout the dosing interval. Oral therapies may also have a higher risk of potential drug-drug interactions. Over 40 years of efficacy and safety data of leuprolide acetate, the active ingredient in ELIGARD, shows a well-established safety profile with no known drug-drug interactions.2,7,9-12 Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take.

What to Expect With ELIGARD

Most patients are able to return to their normal daily activities after receiving an ELIGARD injection. If you experience discomfort at the injection site or have questions about activities after treatment, talk with your healthcare provider.
Healthy habits such as staying active, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough rest may help you manage some side effects of hormone therapy. Talk with your healthcare provider about any symptoms you experience and ways to help manage them. You can also learn more about managing ADT side effects at IncreMENtalADT.com.
Yes. Regular appointments allow your healthcare provider to monitor your response to treatment, check your testosterone and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels when appropriate, and discuss any side effects or concerns you may have. Your provider will determine how often you should be seen.
Contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible if you need to reschedule your appointment. Receiving ELIGARD as prescribed is important for maintaining treatment throughout your dosing interval.
Before your appointment, write down any questions or symptoms you’d like to discuss with your healthcare provider. It’s also helpful to bring an updated list of your medications and consider bringing a family member or care partner for support if you’d like. Use the ELIGARD doctor discussion guide to help you at your next appointment.

Cost, Resources, & Support

ELIGARD is the lowest-cost ADT treatment option and has not had a price increase in over 10 years.13 The amount you pay for ELIGARD depends on your insurance coverage and individual health plan. If you have questions about your coverage or out-of-pocket costs, talk with your healthcare provider or insurance company.
Cancer treatment can create financial stress for patients and their families. Your out-of-pocket costs for ADT may be influenced by the cost of the therapy, but will also depend on your insurance coverage and may vary based on when you begin treatment. Choosing a lower-cost ADT like ELIGARD may help reduce unnecessary out-of-pocket costs and ease financial burden throughout your treatment journey.
Programs may be available to help eligible patients understand insurance coverage and access affordability resources. Talk with your healthcare provider or visit our patient support resources page to learn more.
Educational resources are available to help you better understand advanced prostate cancer, your treatment journey, and what to expect along the way. Resources include:
  • IncreMENtal: The ONLY habit-building online program that helps you make small, healthy lifestyle changes during ADT
  • Prostate Cancer 360: Practical guidance on managing ADT side effects, healthy eating, exercise, and recommended health assessments
  • Downloadable patient guides: Easy-to-use guides covering ELIGARD treatment and what you and your care partners can expect during ADT treatment
  • Educational materials: Information to help you better understand prostate cancer, treatment, common terms, and available support
Learn more about resources here.
Visit IncreMENtal and Prostate Cancer 360 websites for educational articles, treatment resources, downloadable guides, and information to help you navigate your prostate cancer journey.

For Care Partners

Care partners like you play an important role throughout treatment. Care Partner Corner is a resource that provides information, practical tools, downloadable resources, and supportive communities to help those caring for someone living with prostate cancer. Learn more here.
Care partners do a lot to support their loved one with prostate cancer, including helping keep track of treatment appointments, encouraging open communication with the healthcare team, and providing day-to-day support throughout treatment. Every patient’s experience is different, so staying informed can help you feel more prepared. Visit Care Partner Corner for resources and support tips.

ELIGARD is administered by a healthcare provider at scheduled treatment visits, with 1-, 3-, 4-, and 6-month dosing options.2 Understanding your loved one’s treatment schedule can help you provide support and logistical help, such as providing rides to doctor appointments, throughout their care.

Helping keep track of appointments, medications, and questions for the healthcare team can make treatment easier to navigate. If your loved one enrolls in Tolmar’s IncreMENtal program, you can also sign up as a care partner to receive email updates that help you follow their treatment journey and support healthy habit-building during ADT. Encouraging your loved one to report side effects or changes in how they feel can also support ongoing care.
Caring for someone with prostate cancer is important, but you need to make time to care for yourself. Try to continue regular exercise, making healthy meals, getting adequate sleep, and activities you enjoy. Don’t hesitate to ask family, friends, or your healthcare team for help when you need it. Taking care of your own well-being can help you continue supporting your loved one throughout their treatment journey. Find more tips for taking care of yourself at Care Partner Corner.

*The market-leading luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist.

Find more resources that can help you during treatment

References: 1. Data on file. IQVIA data, Jan 2025-June 2026. Tolmar, Inc.; 2026. 2. ELIGARD (leuprolide acetate). Prescribing Information. Tolmar, Inc. 2026. 3. Rebello RJ, Oing C, Knudsen KE, et al. Prostate cancer. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2021;7(1):9. 4. Crawford ED, Heidenreich A, Lawrentschuk N, et al. Androgen-targeted therapy in men with prostate cancer: evolving practice and future considerations. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2019;22(1):24-38. 5. Shore ND, Chu F, Moul J, et al. Polymer-delivered subcutaneous leuprolide acetate formulations achieve and maintain castrate concentrations of testosterone in four open-label studies in patients with advanced prostate cancer. BJU Int. 2017;119(2):239-244. 6. NCCN Guidelines for Patients®. Advanced-Stage Prostate Cancer. National Comprehensive Cancer Network; 2026. 7. Orgovyx (relugolix). Prescribing Information. Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. 2025. 8. Prettyman J, Engel L, Boldt-Houle DM, Atkinson S, Wilt W . Personalizing treatment in the delivery of care by nurses to patients with prostate cancer. Urologic Nursing. 2019;39(2):83-99. 9. Sartor O. Eligard® 6: a new form of treatment for prostate cancer. Eur Urol Open Sci. 2006;5(18):P905-P910. 10. Lupron Depot (leuprolide acetate). Prescribing Information. AbbVie, Inc. 2023. 11. Wolters Kluwer. UpToDate® Lexidrug TM. Interaction Checking – Relugolix. Accessed July 2026. https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/uptodate/pro/lexidrug 12. Relugolix drug interactions. (2026). Drugs.com. Accessed July 2026. https://www drugs.com/drug-interactions/relugolix.html 13. Data on file. WAC. Tolmar, Inc.; 2026.

Other links

You are now leaving ELIGARD.com.

Are you sure you want to leave? 

YES
NO

You are now navigating to the healthcare provider site.

Are you a healthcare provider?

YES
NO
Skip to content