Leuprolide
Say it: loo-PROH-lide · Brand names: Lupron Depot, Eligard, Camcevi
Leuprolide is a hormone therapy shot that lowers testosterone, a hormone that helps prostate cancer grow.
What it is
Prostate cancer cells often use the hormone testosterone to grow. Leuprolide works on the brain's signals that tell the body to make testosterone. After a short rise at first, testosterone drops to very low levels, which slows the cancer.
Often used for
- advanced prostate cancer
- some conditions that are not cancer, such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and early puberty in children
How you get it
Leuprolide is a shot given in the clinic, into a muscle or under the skin, depending on the brand. It is a long acting shot given every 1, 3, 4, or 6 months. Your schedule may be different.
Common side effects and what helps
- Hot flashes or night sweats. Dress in layers, keep your room cool, and limit caffeine and alcohol.
- Feeling tired or weak. Rest when you need to, and try short walks.
- Pain, redness, or a lump where the shot was given. This usually goes away in a few days.
- Lower interest in sex and trouble getting an erection. Talk with your team, since there may be ways to help.
- Smaller testicles and breast swelling or tenderness.
- Joint or muscle aches and stiffness. Regular gentle exercise often helps.
- Mood changes or feeling down. Talk with your team if this is hard to manage.
- Weight gain. Regular exercise and healthy eating can help.
Call your care team right away if you have
- New or worse bone pain, trouble peeing, or blood in your urine in the first weeks
- Weakness or numbness in your legs, or losing control of your bladder or bowels
- Chest pain or pressure, or a racing or pounding heartbeat
- Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg, or trouble speaking
- Signs of high blood sugar, such as feeling very thirsty, peeing a lot, or feeling confused
- A seizure
Before you start, tell your team
- If you have heart problems, including an uneven heartbeat or a heart rhythm problem called long QT
- If you have diabetes
- If you have bone thinning (osteoporosis)
- If you have had seizures
- If cancer has spread to your spine or is blocking your urine flow
- All the medicines, vitamins, and herbal products you take, since some can change how this medicine works
Good to know
- In the first weeks, testosterone rises for a short time before it drops. This can make cancer symptoms worse for a while. Your team may give you another medicine to prevent this.
- It can raise blood sugar and the chance of heart problems. You will have blood tests and heart checks.
- Long term use can thin your bones. You may have bone density scans.
- You will have blood tests for PSA and testosterone to see how it is working.
Questions to ask
- How often will I get this shot?
- What can I do about hot flashes?
- How will this affect my bones and heart, and what can I do?
- How will we know if this medicine is working?
Side effect guides
Sources
Quick answers
- What is Leuprolide?
- Leuprolide is a hormone therapy shot that lowers testosterone, a hormone that helps prostate cancer grow. Brand names: Lupron Depot, Eligard, Camcevi.
- What is Leuprolide used for?
- advanced prostate cancer; some conditions that are not cancer, such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and early puberty in children.
- How is Leuprolide given?
- Leuprolide is a shot given in the clinic, into a muscle or under the skin, depending on the brand. It is a long acting shot given every 1, 3, 4, or 6 months. Your schedule may be different.
- What are the common side effects of Leuprolide?
- Hot flashes or night sweats. Feeling tired or weak. Pain, redness, or a lump where the shot was given. Lower interest in sex and trouble getting an erection. Smaller testicles and breast swelling or tenderness. Joint or muscle aches and stiffness. Mood changes or feeling down. Weight gain.
- When should I call my care team while taking Leuprolide?
- New or worse bone pain, trouble peeing, or blood in your urine in the first weeks; Weakness or numbness in your legs, or losing control of your bladder or bowels; Chest pain or pressure, or a racing or pounding heartbeat; Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg, or trouble speaking; Signs of high blood sugar, such as feeling very thirsty, peeing a lot, or feeling confused; A seizure.
Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.