Eligard Special Precautions

Transient testosterone flare: Leuprorelin acetate, like other GnRH agonists, causes a transient increase in serum concentrations of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and acid phosphatase during the first week of treatment. Patients may experience worsening of symptoms or onset of new symptoms, including bone pain, neuropathy, haematuria, or ureteral or bladder outlet obstruction (see Adverse Reactions). These symptoms usually subside on continuation of therapy.
Additional administration of an appropriate antiandrogen should be considered beginning 3 days prior to leuprorelin therapy and continuing for the first two to three weeks of treatment. This has been reported to prevent the sequelae of an initial rise in serum testosterone.
Following surgical castration, ELIGARD does not lead to a further decrease in serum testosterone levels in male patients.
Patients with vertebral and/or brain metastases as well as patients with urinary tract obstruction should be closely monitored during the first few weeks of therapy.
Bone density: Decreased bone density has been reported in the medical literature in men who have had orchiectomy or who have been treated with a GnRH agonist (see Adverse Reactions).
Antiandrogen therapy significantly increases the risk for fractures owing to osteoporosis. Only limited data is available on this issue. Fractures owing to osteoporosis were observed in 5% of patients following 22 months of pharmacological androgen deprivation therapy and in 4% of patients following 5 to 10 years of treatment. The risk for fractures owing to osteoporosis is generally higher than the risk for pathological fractures.
Apart from long lasting testosterone deficiency, increased age, smoking and consumption of alcoholic beverages, obesity and insufficient exercise may have an influence on the development of osteoporosis.
Pituitary apoplexy: During post-marketing surveillance, rare cases of pituitary apoplexy (a clinical syndrome secondary to infarction of the pituitary gland) have been reported after the administration of GnRH-agonists, with a majority occurring within 2 weeks of the first dose, and some within the first hour. In these cases, pituitary apoplexy was presented as sudden headache, vomiting, visual changes, ophthalmoplegia, altered mental status, and sometimes cardiovascular collapse. Immediate medical attention is required.
Hyperglycemia and diabetes: Hyperglycemia and an increased risk of developing diabetes have been reported in men receiving GnRH agonists. Hyperglycemia may represent development of diabetes mellitus or worsening of glycemic control in patients with diabetes. Monitor blood glucose and/or glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) periodically in patients receiving a GnRH agonist and manage with current practice for treatment of hyperglycemia or diabetes.
Cardiovascular diseases: Increased risk of developing myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death and stroke has been reported in association with use of GnRH agonists in men. The risk appears low based on the reported odds ratios, and should be evaluated carefully along with cardiovascular risk factors when determining a treatment for patients with prostate cancer. Patients receiving GnRH agonists should be monitored for symptoms and signs suggestive of development of cardiovascular disease and be managed according to current clinical practice.
Androgen deprivation therapy may prolong the QT interval. Providers should consider whether the benefits of androgen deprivation therapy outweigh the potential risks in patients with congenital long QT syndrome, congestive heart failure, frequent electrolyte abnormalities, and in patients taking drugs known to prolong the QT interval. Electrolyte abnormalities should be corrected. Consider periodic monitoring of electrocardiograms and electrolytes.
Nervous System: Postmarketing reports of convulsions have been observed in patients on leuprorelin acetate with or without a history of predisposing factors. Convulsions are to be managed according to the current clinical practice.
Other events: Cases of ureteral obstruction and spinal cord compression, which may contribute to paralysis with or without fatal complications, have been reported with GnRH agonists. If spinal cord compression or renal impairment develops, standard treatment of these complications should be instituted.
Effects on ability to drive and use machines: No studies on the effects of ELIGARD on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed.
The ability to drive and operate machines may be impaired due to fatigue, dizziness and visual disturbances being possible side effects of treatment or resulting from the underlying disease.