Key takeaways

  • Lupron Depot is a prescription drug used to treat various conditions, including prostate cancer, uterine fibroids, and early onset puberty.
  • Common side effects of Lupron Depot include hot flashes, mood changes, headaches, decreased libido, and injection site reactions.
  • Serious side effects of Lupron Depot may include bone loss, cardiovascular issues, seizures, and high blood sugar.

Lupron Depot is used to treat:

  • endometriosis and uterine fibroids in adult females
  • advanced prostate cancer in adult males
  • early onset puberty in children

The active ingredient in Lupron Depot is leuprolide acetate. The drug is given as an injection into a muscle by your doctor or another healthcare professional.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Lupron Depot can cause.

Note: This article covers both forms of the drug: Lupron Depot and Lupron Depot-Ped (the version used to treat early onset puberty in children). In general, the term “Lupron Depot” refers to both versions of the drug unless otherwise noted.

The use of binary terms such as “male” and “female” or “men” and “women” in this article reflects the language of the sources we’ve used. Unless otherwise noted, it’s unclear whether the research we reference included participants with expansive gender identities.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during Lupron Depot treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

Mild side effects have been reported with Lupron Depot. These include:

  • injection site reactions
  • hot flashes or night sweats
  • headache
  • decreased libido
  • fatigue
  • bone, muscle, and joint pain
  • vaginal dryness
  • breast pain or swelling
  • nausea and vomiting
  • insomnia
  • testicular shrinkage in males

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Lupron Depot may cause mild side effects other than those listed previously. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Experiencing side effects? After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking this drug and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Serious side effects have been reported with Lupron Depot. These include:

If you develop serious side effects while using Lupron Depot, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

For some people, Lupron Depot can cause an allergic reaction. In particular, females with asthma, sinusitis, or allergies may experience asthma attacks triggered by an allergic reaction.

What to do if you experience an allergic reaction

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Lupron Depot treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Lupron Depot, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Learn more about some of the side effects Lupron Depot may cause.

Injection site reactions

Injection site reactions were a common side effect reported in studies of Lupron Depot. Injection site reactions may cause symptoms such as:

  • burning or stinging pain
  • itching
  • swelling
  • skin that’s red or another color, discolored, or bruised
  • abscess (pocket of infection)
  • warm to the touch
  • lump or sunken area of skin

What might help

To avoid injection site reactions with Lupron Depot, your doctor will choose a new site on the buttocks, outer thigh, or upper arm for injection each time. After receiving a dose, keep the area clean and dry for 2 to 3 days after injection, watching for drainage, worsening redness or discoloration, or pain.

If you have an injection site reaction after receiving Lupron Depot, consider the following over-the-counter or home remedy options to help relieve your symptoms:

  • Apply a cool compress to reduce swelling.
  • Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain.
  • Apply hydrocortisone cream to relieve itching.

Injection site reactions usually clear up in 1 to 2 days. But if your symptoms worsen or you develop a fever, talk with your doctor right away. They may suggest that you seek urgent medical care.

Bone loss

Bone loss was a common side effect reported in studies of Lupron Depot. To help reduce the risk of this side effect, treatment with Lupron Depot should not exceed 12 months for endometriosis or uterine fibroids. Bone loss may be permanent and may not cause symptoms until a bone fracture occurs.

Factors that can increase the risk of bone loss when using this drug include:

  • chronic use of drugs that can decrease bone density, such as corticosteroids or seizure medications
  • long-term alcohol use
  • tobacco use
  • family history of osteoporosis

What might help

If you’re concerned about bone loss during your Lupron Depot treatment, talk with your doctor. They may recommend adding oral norethindrone to your treatment plan. Norethindrone is a progestin hormone that may help reduce bone loss. However, taking norethindrone with Lupron Depot is not recommended if you’ve had blood clotting problems, stroke, liver problems, or breast cancer.

Your doctor may also recommend taking a vitamin D and calcium supplement and doing weight-bearing exercises to help maintain bone density.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Lupron Depot’s side effects.

It’s possible. More common serious side effects in children include mental health conditions or mood changes and seizures. Contact your child’s doctor right away if they develop new or worsening mental health conditions or mood changes during their Lupron Depot treatment.

Children who use Lupron Depot-Ped may experience seizures because of elevated pressure in the fluid surrounding the brain. Symptoms of increased pressure in the brain fluid may include severe headache, ringing in the ears, dizziness, and double or blurred vision.

If your child develops these symptoms, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

It’s possible, and long-term side effects can vary between males and females receiving the drug.

In studies of Lupron Depot, examples of long-term side effects reported in males include:

• high blood sugar
• high cholesterol
• heart attack, stroke, or sudden death from heart rhythm problems
• testicular shrinkage
• breast enlargement

In studies, examples of long-term side effects reported in females include:

• long-term bone loss and fractures
• asthma attacks resulting in death

The risk of developing long-term side effects may vary depending on your prescribed dose of the drug or how long your treatment lasts. Also, combining Lupron Depot with certain other drugs may raise your risk for some long-term side effects.

Lupron Depot can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Lupron Depot is a good treatment option for you.

Before starting Lupron Depot treatment, discuss your health history with your doctor. Lupron Depot may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.

Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • long QT syndrome, congestive heart failure, or other heart problems
  • have had a stroke or heart attack before
  • undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
  • depression or other mental health conditions
  • diabetes
  • high cholesterol
  • osteoporosis or taking medications that cause bone loss, such as corticosteroids
  • have had a brain tumor
  • have had seizures before or are taking medications that can cause seizures, such as bupropion or SSRIs
  • history of asthma, sinusitis, and drug or environmental allergies
  • history of skin and subcutaneous tissue reaction, such as rash, peeling or welts, specifically related to other medication use
  • previous allergic reaction to Lupron Depot
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding
  • alcohol consumption

Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.