Eligard Drug Information
Generic name: LEUPROLIDE ACETATE
Uses of Eligard
® is indicated for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. ELIGARD ® is a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist indicated for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer
Dosage & Administration of Eligard
| 1 injection every month |
Side Effects of Eligard
Clinical Trial Experience
The safety of all ELIGARD ® formulations was evaluated in clinical trials involving patients with advanced prostate cancer. In addition, the safety of ELIGARD ® 7.5 mg was evaluated in 8 surgically castrated males (Table 5). ELIGARD ®, like other GnRH analogs, caused a transient increase in serum testosterone concentrations during the first one to two weeks of treatment. Therefore, potential exacerbations of signs and symptoms of the disease during the first weeks of treatment are of concern in patients with vertebral metastases and/or urinary obstruction or hematuria.
If these conditions are aggravated, it may lead to neurological problems such as weakness and/or paresthesia of the lower limbs or worsening of urinary symptoms . During the clinical trials, injection sites were closely monitored. Refer to Table 4 for a summary of reported injection site events. Table 4. Reported Injection Site Adverse Events ELIGARD ® 7.5 mg 22.5 mg 30 mg 45 mg Study number AGL9904 AGL9909 AGL0001 AGL0205 Number of patients 120 117 90 111 Treatment 1 injection every month up to 6 months 1 injection every 3 months up to 6 months 1 injection every 4 months up to 8 months 1 injection every 6 months up to 12 months Number of injections 716 230 175 217 Transient burning/ stinging 248 (34.6%) injections; 84% reported as mild 50 (21.7%) injections; 86% reported as mild 35 (20%) injections; 100% reported as mild 35 (16%) injections; 91.4% reported as mild 3 Pain (generally brief and mild) 4.3% of injections (18.3% of patients) 3.5% of injections (6.0% of patients) 2.3% of injections 2 (3.3% of patients) 4.6% of injections 4 Erythema (generally brief and mild) 2.6% of injections (12.5% of patients) 0.9% of injections 1 (1.7% of patients) 1.1% of injections (2.2% of patients) - Bruising (mild) 2.5% of injections (11.7% of patients) 1.7% of injections (3.4% of patients) - 2.3% of injections 5 Pruritus 1.4% of injections (9.2% of patients) 0.4% of injections (0.9% of patients) - - Induration 0.4% of injections (2.5% of patients) - - - Ulceration 0.1% of injections (> 0.8% of patients) - - - Erythema was reported following 2 injections of ELIGARD ® 22.5 mg.
One report characterized the erythema as mild and it resolved within 7 days. The other report characterized the erythema as moderate and it resolved within 15 days. Neither patient experienced erythema at multiple injection times.
A single event reported as moderate pain resolved within two minutes and all 3 mild pain events resolved within several days following injection of ELIGARD ® 30 mg. Following injection of ELIGARD ® 30 mg, three of the 35 burning/stinging events were reported as moderate. Transient pain was reported as mild in intensity in nine of ten (90%) events and moderate in intensity in one of ten (10%) events following injection of ELIGARD ® 45 mg.
Mild bruising was reported following 5 (2.3%) study injections and moderate bruising was reported following 2 (<1%) study injections of ELIGARD ® 45 mg. These localized adverse events were non-recurrent over time. No patient discontinued therapy due to an injection site adverse event.
The following possibly or probably related systemic adverse events occurred during clinical trials with ELIGARD ®, and were reported in > 2% of patients (Table 5). Often, causality is difficult to assess in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Reactions considered not drug-related are excluded. Table 5. Summary of Possible or Probably Related Systemic Adverse Events Reported by > 2% of Patients Treated with ELIGARD ® ELIGARD ® 7.5 mg 7.5 mg 22.5 mg 30 mg 45 mg Study number AGL9904 AGL9802 AGL9909 AGL0001 AGL0205 Number of patients 120 8 117 90 111 Treatment 1 injection every month up to 6 months 1 injection (surgically castrated patients) 1 injection every 3 months up to 6 months 1 injection every 4 months up to 8 months 1 injection every 6 months up to 12 months Body system Adverse event Number (percent) Body as a whole Malaise and fatigue 21 (17.5%) - 7 (6.0%) 12 (13.3%) 13 (11.7%) Weakness - - - - 4 (3.6%) Nervous system Dizziness 4 (3.3%) - - 4 (4.4%) - Vascular Hot flashes/sweats 68 (56.7%) * 2 (25.0%)* 66 (56.4%) * 66 (73.3%) * 64 (57.7%) * Renal/urinary Urinary frequency - - 3 (2.6%) 2 (2.2%) - Nocturia - - - 2 (2.2%) - Gastrointestinal Nausea - - 4 (3.4%) 2 (2.2%) - Gastroenteritis/colitis 3 (2.5%) - - - - Skin Pruritus - - 3 (2.6%) - - Clamminess - - - 4 (4.4%) * - Night sweats - - - 3 (3.3%) * 3 (2.7%) * Alopecia - - - 2 (2.2%) - Musculoskeletal Arthralgia - - 4 (3.4%) - - Myalgia - - - 2 (2.2%) 5 (4.5%) Pain in limb - - - - 3 (2.7%) Reproductive Testicular atrophy 6 (5.0%) - - 4 (4.4%) * 8 (7.2%) * Gynecomastia - - - 2 (2.2%) * 4 (3.6%) * Testicular pain - - - 2 (2.2%) - Psychiatric Decreased libido - - - 3 (3.3%) * - *Expected pharmacological consequences of testosterone suppression.
In the patient populations studied with ELIGARD ® 7.5 mg, a total of 86 hot flashes/sweats adverse events were reported in 70 patients. Of these, 71 events (83%) were mild; 14 (16%) were moderate; 1 (1%) was severe. In the patient population studied with ELIGARD ® 22.5 mg, a total of 84 hot flashes/sweats adverse events were reported in 66 patients.
Of these, 73 events (87%) were mild; 11 (13%) were moderate; none were severe. In the patient population studied with ELIGARD ® 30 mg, a total of 75 hot flash adverse events were reported in 66 patients. Of these, 57 events (76%) were mild; 16 (21%) were moderate; 2 (3%) were severe.
In the patient population studied with ELIGARD ® 45 mg, a total of 89 hot flash adverse events were reported in 64 patients. Of these, 62 events (70%) were mild; 27 (30%) were moderate; none were severe. In addition, the following possibly or probably related systemic adverse events were reported by < 2% of the patients treated with ELIGARD ® in these clinical studies.
Body system Adverse event General Sweating, insomnia, syncope, rigors, weakness, lethargy Gastrointestinal Flatulence, constipation, dyspepsia Hematologic Decreased red blood cell count, hematocrit and hemoglobin Metabolic Weight gain Musculoskeletal Tremor, backache, joint pain, muscle atrophy, limb pain Nervous Disturbance of smell and taste, depression, vertigo Psychiatric Insomnia, depression, loss of libido* Renal/urinary Difficulties with urination, pain on urination, scanty urination, bladder spasm, blood in urine, urinary retention, urinary urgency, incontinence, nocturia, nocturia aggravated Reproductive/ Urogenital Testicular soreness/pain, impotence*, decreased libido*, gynecomastia*, breast soreness/tenderness*, testicular atrophy*, erectile dysfunction, penile disorder*, reduced penis size Skin Alopecia, clamminess, night sweats*, sweating increased* Vascular Hypertension, hypotension * Expected pharmacological consequences of testosterone suppression. Changes in 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 analog. It can be anticipated that long periods of medical castration in men will have effects on bone density.
Postmarketing Experience 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 gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists. In a majority of these cases, a pituitary adenoma was diagnosed with a majority of pituitary apoplexy cases occurring within 2 weeks of the first dose, and some within the first hour. In these cases, pituitary apoplexy has presented as sudden headache, vomiting, visual changes, ophthalmoplegia, altered mental status, and sometimes cardiovascular collapse.
Immediate medical attention has been required. Nervous System-Convulsions Respiratory System-Interstitial lung disease
Warnings & Cautions for Eligard
Tumor Flare
ELIGARD ® 7.5 mg 22.5 mg 30 mg, like other GnRH agonists, causes a transient increase in serum concentrations of testosterone during the first week of treatment. ELIGARD ® 45 mg causes a transient increase in serum concentrations of testosterone during the first two weeks of treatment. Patients may experience worsening of symptoms or onset of new signs and symptoms during the first few weeks of treatment, including bone pain, neuropathy, hematuria, or bladder outlet obstruction.
Cases of ureteral obstruction and/or spinal cord compression, which may contribute to paralysis with or without fatal complications, have been observed in the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer using GnRH agonists. Patients with metastatic vertebral lesions and/or with urinary tract obstruction should be closely observed during the first few weeks of therapy. If spinal cord compression or ureteral obstruction develops, standard treatment of these complications should be instituted.
Laboratory Tests Response to
ELIGARD ® should be monitored by periodic measurement of serum concentrations of testosterone and prostate specific antigen. In the majority of patients, testosterone levels increased above Baseline during the first week, declining thereafter to Baseline levels or below by the end of the second or third week. Castrate levels were generally reached within two to four weeks.
Castrate testosterone levels were maintained for the duration of the treatment with ELIGARD ® 7.5 mg. No increases to above the castrate level occurred in any of the patients. Castrate levels were generally maintained for the duration of treatment with ELIGARD ® 22.5 mg.
Once castrate levels were achieved with ELIGARD ® 30 mg, most (86/89) patients remained suppressed throughout the study. Once castrate levels were achieved with ELIGARD ® 45 mg, only one patient (< 1%) experienced a breakthrough, with testosterone levels > 50 ng/dL. Results of testosterone determinations are dependent on assay methodology. It is advisable to be aware of the type and precision of the assay methodology to make appropriate clinical and therapeutic decisions.
Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions: Therapy with leuprolide acetate results in suppression of the pituitary-gonadal system. Results of diagnostic tests of pituitary gonadotropic and gonadal functions conducted during and after leuprolide therapy may be affected.
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 a GnRH agonist should be monitored for symptoms and signs suggestive of development of cardiovascular disease and be managed according to current clinical practice.
Effect on QT/QTc Interval Androgen deprivation therapy may prolong the QT/QTc 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.
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
Based on findings in animal studies and mechanism of action, leuprolide acetate may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In animal developmental and reproductive studies, major fetal abnormalities were observed after administration of leuprolide acetate throughout gestation in rats. Advise pregnant patients and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to the fetus .
Convulsions Postmarketing reports of convulsions have been observed in patients on leuprolide
acetate therapy. These included patients with a history of seizures, epilepsy, cerebrovascular disorders, central nervous system anomalies or tumors, and in patients on concomitant medications that have been associated with convulsions such as bupropion and SSRIs. Convulsions have also been reported in patients in the absence of any of the conditions mentioned above.
Patients receiving a GnRH agonist who experience convulsion should be managed according to current clinical practice.
Drug Interactions with Eligard
No pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction studies were conducted with ELIGARD ®.
Pregnancy Safety for Eligard
Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on findings in animal studies and mechanism of action, ELIGARD ® may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman . There are no available data in pregnant women to inform the drug-associated risk. Expected hormonal changes that occur with ELIGARD ® treatment increase the risk for pregnancy loss. In animal developmental and reproductive studies, major fetal abnormalities were observed after administration of leuprolide acetate throughout gestation in rats.
Advise pregnant patients and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to the fetus (see Data). Animal Data In animal developmental and reproductive studies, major fetal abnormalities were observed after administration of leuprolide acetate throughout gestation. There were increased fetal mortality and decreased fetal weights in rats and rabbits. The effects of fetal mortality are expected consequences of the alterations in hormonal levels brought about by this drug.
Pediatric Use of Eligard
Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of ELIGARD ® in pediatric patients have not been established.
Contraindications for Eligard
Hypersensitivity ELIGARD ® is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to GnRH, GnRH agonist analogs or any of the components of ELIGARD ®. Anaphylactic reactions to synthetic GnRH or GnRH agonist analogs have been reported in the literature. Known hypersensitivity to GnRH, GnRH agonist analogs or any of the components of ELIGARD ®
Overdosage Information for Eligard
In clinical trials using daily subcutaneous injections of leuprolide acetate in patients with prostate cancer, doses as high as 20 mg/day for up to two years caused no adverse effects differing from those observed with the 1 mg/day dose.
Clinical Studies of Eligard
Day 2 574.6 (Day 3) 588.0 610.0 588.6 Day 14 Below Baseline
(Day 10) Below Baseline Below Baseline Below Baseline Day 28 21.8 27.7 (Day 21) 17.2
Conclusion 6.1 10.1 12.4 12.6 Number of patients below castrate threshold (
≤ 50 ng/dL) Day 28 112 of 119 (94.1%) 115 of 116 (99%) 85 of 89 (96%) 108 of 109 (99.1%) Day 35 ‑ 116 (100%) ‑ ‑ Day 42 119 (100%) ‑ 89 (100%) ‑ Conclusion 117 1 (100%) 111 (100%) 81 (99%) 102 (99%) Two patients withdrew for reasons unrelated to drug. One patient received less than a full dose at Baseline, never suppressed, and was withdrawn at Day 73 and given an alternate treatment. All non-evaluable patients who attained castration by Day 28 maintained castration at each time point up to and including the time of withdrawal.
One patient withdrew on Day 14. All 7 non-evaluable patients who had achieved castration by Day 28 maintained castration at each time point, up to and including the time of withdrawal. Two patients were withdrawn prior to the Month 1 blood draw. One patient did not achieve castration and was withdrawn on Day 85. All 5 non-evaluable patients who attained castration by Day 28, maintained castration at each time point up to and including the time of withdrawal.
Figure 5. ELIGARD ® 7.5 mg Mean Serum Testosterone Concentrations (n=117) Figure 6. ELIGARD ® 22.5 mg Mean Serum Testosterone Concentrations (n=111) Figure 7. ELIGARD ® 30 mg Mean Serum Testosterone Concentrations (n=90) Figure 8. ELIGARD ® 45 mg Mean Serum Testosterone Concentrations (n=103) Serum PSA decreased in all patients in all studies whose Baseline values were elevated above the normal limit. Refer to Table 9 for a summary of the effectiveness of ELIGARD ® in reducing serum PSA values. Table 9. Effect of ELIGARD ® on Patient Serum PSA Values ELIGARD ® 7.5 mg 22.5 mg 30 mg 45 mg Mean PSA reduction at study conclusion 94% 98% 86% 97% Patients with normal PSA at study conclusion* 94% 91% 93% 95% *Among patients who presented with elevated levels at Baseline Other secondary efficacy endpoints evaluated included WHO performance status, bone pain, urinary pain and urinary signs and symptoms.
Refer to Table 10 for a summary of these endpoints. Table 10. Secondary Efficacy Endpoints ELIGARD ® 7.5 mg 22.5 mg 30 mg 45 mg Baseline WHO Status = 0 1 88% 94% 90% 90% WHO Status = 1 2 11% 6% 10% 7% WHO Status = 2 3 - - - 3% Mean bone pain 4 (range) 1.22 (1-9) 1.20 (1-9) 1.20 (1-7) 1.38 (1-7) Mean urinary pain (range) 1.12 (1-5) 1.02 (1-2) 1.01 (1-2) 1.22 (1-8) Mean urinary signs and symptoms (range) Low 1.09 (1-4) Low Low Number of patients with prostate abnormalities 102 (85%) 96 (82%) 66 (73%) 89 (80%) Month 6 Month 6 Month 8 Month 12 Follow-up WHO status = 0 Unchanged 96% 87% 94% WHO status = 1 Unchanged 4% 12% 5% WHO status = 2 - - 1% 1% Mean bone pain (range) 1.26 (1-7) 1.22 (1-5) 1.19 (1-8) 1.31 (1-8) Mean urinary pain (range) 1.07 (1-8) 1.10 (1-8) 1.00 (1-1) 1.07 (1-5) Mean urinary signs and symptoms (range) Modestly decreased 1.18 (1-7) Modestly decreased Modestly decreased Number of patients with prostate abnormalities 77 (64%) 76 (65%) 54 (60%) 60 (58%) WHO status = 0 classified as “fully active.” WHO status = 1 classified as “restricted in strenuous activity but ambulatory and able to carry out work of a light or sedentary nature.” WHO status = 2 classified as “ambulatory but unable to carry out work activities.” Pain score scale: 1 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain possible). Figure 22 Figure 23 Figure 24 Figure 25
Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.
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