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Lupron

Lupron is a very active drug in management of patients with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer cells are sensitive to male hormone and their growth depends on it. Lupron inhibits the production of male hormone, testosterone, from testicles and results in a significant lowering of testosterone level in the blood. This phenomena is orchestrated by the effect of Lupron on parts of brain where regulatory hormones are produced to stimulate production of testosterone form testicles.

It is always used in conjunction with other hormonal treatments such as Flutamide or Casodex. It is a rather well tolerated medicine with the advantage of taking it only a once a month. Lupron comes in an injectable liquid form and the medicine is injected under the skin.

Side effects:

Most side effects are related to the lowering of testosterone level. These may include

• Thinning or loss of facial or body hair

• Tenderness or swelling of breast

·         Change in voice

When used for the first time, Lupron causes a temporary elevation of testosterone level followed by a major decline in the blood level of this hormone. As a result, the first dose of this drug may be associated with a temporary worsening of patients symptoms, such as increased bone pain, etc. Initiation of Lupron is contraindicated in situations where spinal cord compression is imminent. In such instances, patients have to be started on Flutamide or Casodex first. Radiation therapy and other therapy for cord compression has to be initiated prior to usage of Lupron.