ELIGARD® is a safe and effective way to manage your advanced prostate cancer3
ELIGARD uses advanced, extended-release delivery technology to provide consistent, continuous testosterone suppression.3,5
Why your doctor may have chosen ELIGARD?
It works quickly
Testosterone suppression is typically reached within 3 weeks3
Advanced extended
delivery technology
Innovative controlled-release technology that provides consistent, continuous testosterone suppression3,5
The active ingredient
in ELIGARD, leuprolide acetate, has been proven in clinical studies to be safe and effective3
Subcutaneous injection
(just under the skin)
- May be given in several places on the body3
- Carries a low risk of bone and nerve injury as the needle is short6
No need for daily dosing when you already have a minimum of 28 days ensured compliance
How is ELIGARD administered?
ELIGARD is a prescription medication that must be administered by a physician. It is given as a single subcutaneous injection, which means it is injected with a short needle just under the skin.
You may receive ELIGARD either every month, 3 months, 4 months, or 6 months depending on which dosing option you and your doctor decide is best.
Questions to ask your Doctor
Your doctor and healthcare team are the best source of information about your treatment. It can be tough to remember all the questions you want to ask during appointments. That’s why it is a good idea to write down your questions in advance.
Use the list below to start a conversation about ELIGARD or help you learn what to expect.
Ask your Doctor about…
…ELIGARD
- How often will I get an ELIGARD injection?
- Is dosing every 6 months (2x per year) right for me?
- What are the side effects?
- Who should not take ELIGARD?
- Are there any medications or things I should avoid while on ELIGARD?
…treating advanced prostate cancer
- What role does testosterone play in my prostate cancer?
- What are the treatment choices for my stage of prostate cancer?
- How will I know if treatment is working?
- Are there additional test I will need throughout my treatment (blood pressure, blood sugar levels, lipids)?
- Can side effects be managed?
- What is the difference between hormonal therapies?
- What is a subcutaneous injection?
…living with advanced prostate cancer
- Are there foods I should avoid?
- Should I avoid smoking and/or alcohol?
- Can you suggest an exercise plan for me?
- Are there activities I should avoid?
- Can you suggest ways to manage stress?
- Are there medications or alternative therapies I should avoid?
- How can I find support?
Managing side effects
Many men experience side effects during hormonal therapies. It's important to understand these side effects and ways to help manage the ones that are most common and troublesome. See the tips below.
Tips for managing common side effects
This information doesn’t replace the advice of your doctor; be sure to talk to your doctor about any side effects you have or lifestyle changes you make during treatment.
Hot flashes
Hot flashes may feel like a sudden rush of warmth in the face, neck, chest, and back. They may last a few seconds to a few hours. Talk to your doctor if you have hot flashes; they may be able to help.
Fatigue (tiredness)
Fatigue can feel like extreme tiredness, exhaustion, or even having a hard time concentrating. There are many causes of fatigue, including inactivity, poor sleep, and side effects from drugs like ELIGARD. You can do many easy things to cope with fatigue:
- Talk to your doctor to determine the cause
- Get enough rest
- Don’t push yourself
- Take short walks and exercise, if possible
- Eat foods that help with energy
- Try stress-relieving activities
Dizziness
You may get lightheaded when blood vessels in the brain dilate (expand). Alcohol, excitement, high temperatures, hyperventilation (breathing too fast), and certain medicines can also cause dizziness. Call your doctor if you feel any of the following, which may be a side effect or possibly something more serious:
- Faint
- Giddy
- Light-headed
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.
Important Safety Information
ELIGARD® is used for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. ELIGARD is a prescription medication that must be administered by a health care professional.
- ELIGARD should not be used by anyone who is allergic to any of the ingredients in ELIGARD or to any similar drugs.
- ELIGARD causes an increase in testosterone during the first few weeks of therapy and some men may experience new or worsening symptoms of prostate cancer e.g., bone pain, urinary symptoms, or nerve problems such as numbness, during this period. If your cancer has spread to the urinary tract or spine, urinary blockage or pressure on the spine that can lead to paralysis may occur. Your doctor will discuss with you the benefits and risks of taking ELIGARD.
- Increased risk of heart attack, sudden death due to heart problems and stroke have also been reported in men taking ELIGARD. ELIGARD may also affect electrical activity in the heart that can cause an irregular heartbeat. Your doctor will monitor you for heart conditions.
- Elevated blood sugar and an increased risk of developing diabetes have been reported in men receiving ELIGARD. Your doctor will monitor blood sugar levels.
- Convulsions have been observed in patients taking leuprolide acetate, including patients who have a history of seizures, epilepsy, or brain disorders (related to blood vessels, nerves, or tumors), and in those taking medications associated with convulsions. Convulsions have also been reported in patients without any of these conditions.
- ELIGARD may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Expected hormonal changes that occur with ELIGARD treatment increase the risk for pregnancy loss.
- ELIGARD may impair fertility in males of reproductive potential.
The most common injection site reactions are transient burning and stinging, pain, bruising, and redness. The most common side effects include hot flashes/sweats, fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, dizziness, clamminess, testicular shrinkage, decreased erections and enlargement of breasts. Other side effects, including thinning of bones that may lead to fracture, and rare but serious problems with the pituitary gland in the brain, have been reported with ELIGARD.
These are not all the possible side effects of ELIGARD. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Full Prescribing Information for additional Important Safety Information.
References
- Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer. American Cancer Society Website. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html. Accessed July 2020.
- Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer. Cancer Treatment Centers of America Website. https://www.cancercenter.com/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/risk-factors. Accessed July 2020.
- ELIGARD® (leuprolide acetate) for injectable suspension, 7.5 mg, 22.5 mg, 30 mg, 45 mg prescribing information. Fort Collins, CO: Tolmar Therapeutics, Inc.; 2019.
- https://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/prostate/index.html. Accessed January 2020
- Sartor O. Eur Urol 2006
- Prettyman, Urologic Nursing 2019
Important Safety Information
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ELIGARD® is used for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. ELIGARD is a prescription medication that must be administered by a health care professional.
- ELIGARD should not be used by anyone who is allergic to any of the ingredients in ELIGARD or to any similar drugs.
ELIGARD® is used for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. ELIGARD is a prescription medication that must be administered by a health care professional.