Leuprolide and norethindrone (Intramuscular, Oral)
Generic name: leuprolide and norethindrone [ LOO-proe-lide-AS-e-tate, nor-ETH-in-drone-AS-e-tate ]
Brand name: Lupaneta Pack
Drug class: Sex hormone combinations
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 6, 2023.
Uses for leuprolide and norethindrone
Leuprolide injection and norethindrone tablets are used together to treat pain caused by endometriosis. This combination is also used to prevent the symptoms of endometriosis from occurring again. This medicine should be used no longer than 12 months.
Leuprolide injection is a synthetic (man-made) hormone that is similar to a natural hormone that is produced in the brain. It decreases the amount of estrogen in the body and helps treat endometriosis. Norethindrone is a synthetic (man-made) progestin hormone that is used to treat thinning of the bones caused by leuprolide.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using leuprolide and norethindrone
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of Lupaneta Pack® in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Lupaneta Pack® is not indicated in postmenopausal women and has not been studied in women 65 years of age and older.
Breast Feeding
Studies in women breastfeeding have demonstrated harmful infant effects. An alternative to this medication should be prescribed or you should stop breastfeeding while using this medicine.
Interactions with Medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Bepridil
- Cisapride
- Dronedarone
- Levoketoconazole
- Mesoridazine
- Pimozide
- Piperaquine
- Saquinavir
- Sparfloxacin
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine
- Tranexamic Acid
- Ziprasidone
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Adagrasib
- Alfuzosin
- Amiodarone
- Amisulpride
- Amitriptyline
- Amobarbital
- Amoxicillin
- Ampicillin
- Amprenavir
- Anagrelide
- Apalutamide
- Apomorphine
- Aprepitant
- Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil
- Armodafinil
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Artemether
- Asenapine
- Astemizole
- Atazanavir
- Azithromycin
- Bacampicillin
- Bedaquiline
- Belzutifan
- Betamethasone
- Bexarotene
- Boceprevir
- Bosentan
- Buprenorphine
- Buserelin
- Butabarbital
- Butalbital
- Carbamazepine
- Carbenicillin
- Cefaclor
- Cefadroxil
- Cefdinir
- Cefditoren
- Cefixime
- Cefpodoxime
- Cefprozil
- Ceftazidime
- Ceftibuten
- Cefuroxime
- Cenobamate
- Ceritinib
- Chloroquine
- Chlorpromazine
- Ciprofloxacin
- Citalopram
- Clarithromycin
- Clobazam
- Clofazimine
- Clomipramine
- Clothiapine
- Cloxacillin
- Clozapine
- Colesevelam
- Crizotinib
- Cyclacillin
- Cyclobenzaprine
- Cyclosporine
- Dabrafenib
- Darunavir
- Dasatinib
- Degarelix
- Delamanid
- Desipramine
- Deslorelin
- Deutetrabenazine
- Dexamethasone
- Dexmedetomidine
- Dicloxacillin
- Dipyrone
- Disopyramide
- Dofetilide
- Dolasetron
- Domperidone
- Donepezil
- Doxepin
- Doxycycline
- Droperidol
- Ebastine
- Efavirenz
- Elagolix
- Elvitegravir
- Encorafenib
- Entrectinib
- Enzalutamide
- Eribulin
- Erythromycin
- Escitalopram
- Eslicarbazepine Acetate
- Etrasimod
- Etravirine
- Famotidine
- Felbamate
- Fexinidazole
- Fingolimod
- Flecainide
- Fluconazole
- Fluoxetine
- Formoterol
- Fosamprenavir
- Fosaprepitant
- Foscarnet
- Fosphenytoin
- Fostemsavir
- Galantamine
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Gepirone
- Glasdegib
- Gonadorelin
- Goserelin
- Granisetron
- Grazoprevir
- Griseofulvin
- Guar Gum
- Halofantrine
- Haloperidol
- Histrelin
- Hydroquinidine
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Hydroxyzine
- Ibutilide
- Iloperidone
- Imipramine
- Indinavir
- Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
- Isotretinoin
- Itraconazole
- Ivabradine
- Ivosidenib
- Ketoconazole
- Lapatinib
- Lefamulin
- Lenvatinib
- Lesinurad
- Levofloxacin
- Lixisenatide
- Lofexidine
- Lopinavir
- Lorlatinib
- Lumacaftor
- Lumefantrine
- Macimorelin
- Mavacamten
- Mefloquine
- Mephobarbital
- Meropenem
- Methadone
- Methohexital
- Methotrimeprazine
- Metronidazole
- Mifepristone
- Minocycline
- Mirtazapine
- Mitapivat
- Mitotane
- Mizolastine
- Mobocertinib
- Modafinil
- Moricizine
- Moxifloxacin
- Mycophenolate Mofetil
- Mycophenolic Acid
- Nafarelin
- Nafcillin
- Nelfinavir
- Nevirapine
- Nilotinib
- Norfloxacin
- Octreotide
- Ofloxacin
- Olanzapine
- Ondansetron
- Osilodrostat
- Osimertinib
- Oxacillin
- Oxaliplatin
- Oxcarbazepine
- Oxytetracycline
- Ozanimod
- Pacritinib
- Paliperidone
- Panobinostat
- Papaverine
- Paroxetine
- Pasireotide
- Pazopanib
- Penicillin G
- Penicillin G Procaine
- Penicillin V
- Pentamidine
- Pentobarbital
- Perphenazine
- Phenobarbital
- Phenylbutazone
- Phenytoin
- Pimavanserin
- Pipamperone
- Pitolisant
- Ponesimod
- Posaconazole
- Prednisolone
- Prednisone
- Primidone
- Probucol
- Procainamide
- Prochlorperazine
- Promethazine
- Propafenone
- Protriptyline
- Quetiapine
- Quinidine
- Quinine
- Quizartinib
- Ranolazine
- Red Clover
- Relugolix
- Ribociclib
- Rifabutin
- Rifampin
- Rifapentine
- Rilpivirine
- Risperidone
- Ritonavir
- Rufinamide
- Saquinavir
- Secobarbital
- Selpercatinib
- Sertindole
- Sertraline
- Sevoflurane
- Simeprevir
- Siponimod
- Sodium Phosphate
- Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
- Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
- Solifenacin
- Sorafenib
- Sotalol
- St John's Wort
- Sugammadex
- Sulpiride
- Sultamicillin
- Sultopride
- Sunitinib
- Tacrolimus
- Tamoxifen
- Tazemetostat
- Telaprevir
- Telavancin
- Telithromycin
- Telotristat Ethyl
- Tetrabenazine
- Tetracycline
- Theophylline
- Thiopental
- Thioridazine
- Ticarcillin
- Tigecycline
- Tipranavir
- Tirzepatide
- Tizanidine
- Tolterodine
- Topiramate
- Toremifene
- Trazodone
- Triclabendazole
- Trimipramine
- Triptorelin
- Troglitazone
- Ulipristal
- Vandetanib
- Vardenafil
- Vemurafenib
- Venlafaxine
- Vilanterol
- Vinflunine
- Voclosporin
- Voriconazole
- Vorinostat
- Voxilaprevir
- Zotepine
- Zuclopenthixol
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Amitriptyline
- Atazanavir
- Atorvastatin
- Clomipramine
- Diazepam
- Doxepin
- Imipramine
- Lamotrigine
- Licorice
- Lorazepam
- Parecoxib
- Selegiline
- Temazepam
- Triazolam
- Troleandomycin
- Valdecoxib
- Voriconazole
- Warfarin
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.
- Caffeine
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Abnormal uterine bleeding, not diagnosed or
- Blood clotting disorders, or history of or
- Breast cancer or other hormone-sensitive cancer, known, suspected, or history of or
- Heart attack, recent or
- Liver disease or tumors or
- Stroke—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
- Alcohol abuse or
- Blood clotting problems, family history of or
- Cigarette smoking or
- Diabetes or
- Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol in the blood) or
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) or
- Obesity—Use with caution. May cause side effects to become worse.
- Asthma, history of or
- Depression, history of or
- Epilepsy (seizures) or
- Fluid retention (body swelling) or
- Heart or blood vessel disease or
- Kidney disease or
- Migraine headache or
- Papilledema (swelling of the optic disc of the eyes) or
- Osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) or
- Retinal vascular lesions (eye problem)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
Related/similar drugs
norethindrone, medroxyprogesterone, Provera, leuprolide, Sprintec, Lupron Depot
Proper use of leuprolide and norethindrone
Lupaneta Pack® is a kit that contains two medicines: leuprolide injection and norethindrone tablets.
Leuprolide injection is given as a shot into a muscle by a nurse or other trained health professional in a hospital or clinic. It is a long acting form (depot) that may be given once every month or once every 3 months for up to 6 months of treatment.
Norethindrone tablets are to be taken by mouth every day for up to 6 months after you receive your leuprolide injection.
This medicine usually comes with a patient information leaflet. Read the information carefully and make sure you understand them before receiving this medicine. If you have any questions, ask your doctor.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For pain due to endometriosis:
- Adults—5 mg once a day, for up to 6 months.
- Children—Use is not recommended.
- For pain due to endometriosis:
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions while using leuprolide and norethindrone
It is very important that your doctor check the your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly.
You should not receive this medicine if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control (eg, diaphragm with spermicide, condoms with spermicide, IUD) to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.
This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.
This medicine can cause your bone mineral density to decrease, which may lead to osteoporosis or weakened bones. Talk with your doctor about how this risk will affect you.
Using this medicine may increase your risk of having seizures. Check with your doctor right away if you start to have muscle spasm or jerking of the arms or legs, sudden loss of consciousness, or loss of bladder control.
This medicine may cause depression. Check with your doctor right away if you have discouragement, feeling sad or empty, irritability, lack or appetite, loss of interest or pleasure, tiredness, trouble concentrating, or trouble sleeping.
Call your doctor right away if you have sudden loss of vision, double vision, bulging eyes, or a migraine headache.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Side Effects of leuprolide and norethindrone
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
- Crying
- depersonalization
- dysphoria
- euphoria
- feeling of warmth
- mental depression
- paranoia
- quick to react or overreact emotionally
- rapidly changing moods
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
- sudden sweating
- swelling
Incidence not known
- Anxiety
- bladder pain
- bloody or cloudy urine
- blurred vision
- chest pain or tightness
- confusion
- cough
- dark urine
- difficult, burning, or painful urination
- difficulty speaking
- difficulty swallowing
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- double vision
- fainting
- fast heartbeat
- flu-like symptoms
- frequent urge to urinate
- headache
- hives or welts
- inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
- increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
- itching
- joint or muscle pain or stiffness
- lower back or side pain
- nausea and vomiting
- numbness or tingling in the face, arms, or legs
- pain in the groin or genitals
- pain, redness, or swelling in the arm or leg
- pounding in the ears
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- redness of the skin
- seizures
- severe sunburn
- sharp back pain just below the ribs
- skin rash
- slow or fast heartbeat
- slow speech
- stomach tenderness
- sudden shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- sweating
- thoughts or attempts at killing oneself
- trouble breathing
- trouble sleeping
- trouble thinking or walking
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Acid or sour stomach
- being forgetful
- belching
- bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
- blemishes on the skin
- bloated or full feeling
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
- changes in appetite
- decreased interest in sexual intercourse
- diarrhea
- difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
- excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
- feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- hair loss or thinning of the hair
- headache, severe and throbbing
- heartburn
- inability to have or keep an erection
- indigestion
- lack or loss of strength
- loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
- pain or tenderness from the breasts
- passing gas
- pimples
- sensation of spinning
- stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
- weight gain
Less common
- Absent missed or irregular menstrual periods
- itching of the vagina or genital area
- pain during sexual intercourse
- stopping of menstrual bleeding
- thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Lupaneta Pack
Available Dosage Forms:
- Powder for Suspension, 1 Month
- Tablet
- Powder for Suspension, 3 Month
More about leuprolide / norethindrone
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: sex hormone combinations
Patient resources
Other brands
Related treatment guides
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.