About ELIGARD®

Inspired by a real patient.

What is ELIGARD and how does it work?

ELIGARD is a proven GnRH agonist that works by lowering your testosterone levels.1
Doctor pointing to a chart and conversing with a patient

What is a GnRH agonist?

Gonadotropin/luteinizing hormone–releasing hormone (GnRH or LHRH) agonists are drugs that work by stopping testosterone production in the testicles.1 ELIGARD is a proven GnRH agonist with a unique formulation for consistent drug delivery.1,2 You can choose from several dosing options—including receiving 1 injection every 6 months (only twice a year).1

ELIGARD works by lowering your testosterone levels

Prostate cancer cells need hormones called androgens to replicate. In men, the main androgen is testosterone. The goal of androgen deprivation therapy is to keep your body from making testosterone, which can slow down tumor growth, at least for a period of time.3

How it works

  1. Testosterone “stimulates” cancer cell growth3
Icon of male testes with an arrow pointing to a cancer cell to the right
Most of the body’s testosterone is made by the testicles. Testosterone stimulates the growth of prostate cancer cells.
Icon of a brain with a target on it along with an arrow pointing to the right of a testicle next to a hand palm facing out
ELIGARD suppresses testosterone produced by the testicles. This inhibits the growth of the tumor, which relies on testosterone to grow.
Icon of a calendar with an arrow pointing right towards an arrow within a circle pointing down

Within 2 to 3 weeks, ELIGARD causes levels of male hormones, including testosterone, to fall. This can slow down tumor growth for a period of time.

Icon of a needle entering the skin with an arrow pointing right to a circle containing an arrow pointing up
The first injection of ELIGARD makes testosterone levels rise for a short period of time. This rise is called a “flare” and typically only occurs on the first injection at the initiation of therapy. Your response to ELIGARD should be monitored by your doctor to evaluate whether the product is working for you.

Side effects may be experienced during ADT1

The most common side effects of ELIGARD are
  • Hot flashes
  • Fatigue (tiredness)
  • Testicular atrophy
Common side effects related to ELIGARD injection are:
  • Burning and stinging
  • Pain
  • Bruising
  • Redness

You may experience other side effects and should always tell your doctor about how you are feeling when receiving ELIGARD.

Additional side effects have been reported with ELIGARD. Please see additional Important Safety Information for ELIGARD.

Patients with prostate cancer on certain treatments can be at higher risk for drug–drug interactions. No drug–drug interactions are expected for ELIGARD5

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1​-8​​0​​0​-FDA-1​​0​​8​​8 or FDA.gov/MedWatch.

See an example of how Robert found what worked best for him.

Meet Robert, 78. Robert has recently been diagnosed with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) and has a history of additional comorbidities, such as myocardial infarction and psoriasis, that require additional treatments.

When he was considering an ADT, an oral option was shown to have many potential negative drug-drug interactions (DDIs) that could impact his treatment.

After speaking with his doctor, the solution was ELIGARD. Over 40 years of efficacy and safety data of leuprolide acetate showed a well-established safety profile, with no known DDIs.5,7
Man with glasses standing

Personalized dosing options to meet your needs1

There are 4 dosing options for ELIGARD. You and your doctor can choose the dosing option that works best for you. Injections are administered in your doctor’s office, a clinic, or a hospital.

12 injections per year

1 injection every month

4 injections per year

1 injection every 3 months

3 injections per year

1 injection every 4 months

2 injections per year

1 injection every 6 months

Ask your doctor which dosing option is the right fit for you

Minimally invasive administration

ELIGARD is a prescription medication that must be administered by a physician. It is given as a single subcutaneous (SC) injection, which means it is injected with a short needle just under the skin.1

The unique delivery technology of ELIGARD enables one of the smallest injection volumes available, with a needle length that measures only 5/8 of an inch.1,6
Image of patient denotes where SC tissue is sufficient for injection
Image of patient denotes where SC tissue is sufficient for injection

TYPICAL AREAS WITH SUFFICIENT SC TISSUE

The benefits of ELIGARD and SC injection6

Shadow divider

Large surface area

  • Can be administered anywhere with sufficient SC tissue, not just the abdomen
  • Suitable for patients with lower muscle mass

Patient friendly

  • Minimally invasive, avoids local muscle soreness, and appropriate for patients with mobility challenges, including wheelchair users
  • Flexibility in site of care, since it can be administered in semiprivate settings 

Reduced risk of complications

  • Low likelihood of bone and nerve damage and safe for patients on anticoagulants

Some temporary pain may be felt at the injection site, but you will not feel local muscle pain the next day, as is common with intramuscular (IM) injections6

Extended-release technology2

ELIGARD uses an advanced extended-release delivery technology. It is designed to deliver a continuous dose of medicine to your body until your next ELIGARD injection—no matter which dose your doctor prescribes.

Long-lasting injection

ELIGARD is injected as a liquid under the skin, where it remains in place as it slowly biodegrades over the intended dosing period

After the injection, you may feel a pea-sized bump under your skin. This bump will reduce in size over time as it releases medicine.

Learn how to get started on ELIGARD

Curious about getting started on ELIGARD?

Learn More
ADT, androgen deprivation therapy.
References: 1. ELIGARD (leuprolide acetate). Prescribing Information. Tolmar, Inc. 2025. 2. Sartor O. ELIGARD®: a new form of treatment for prostate cancer. Eur Urol Open Sci. 2006;5(18):P905-P910. 3. NCCN Guidelines for Patients®. Advanced-Stage Prostate Cancer. National Comprehensive Cancer Network; 2024. 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. Ruplin A, Segal E, McFarlane T. Review of drug-drug interactions in patients with prostate cancer. J Oncol Pharm Pract. Published online May 8, 2024. 6. 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. 7. Lupron Depot (leuprolide acetate for depot suspension) [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: AbbVie Inc.; 2023. Accessed May 21, 2025.

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