Are Lupron Depot and Eligard the same drug?

Lupron Depot and Eligard are brand names for drugs that both contain the active ingredient leuprolide acetate. Both Lupron Depot and Eligard are prescribed to treat the symptoms of advanced prostate cancer. Lupron Depot is also FDA-approved for the treatment of endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or central precocious puberty (CPP) in children (early puberty).

Leuprolide acetate, the generic name for Lupron Depot and Eligard, is classified as a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and is often referred to as hormone therapy. These drugs work by reducing the amount of the hormone in your body called testosterone (in men) or estrogen (in women).

Lupron Depot is given as an intramuscular (IM) injection into the muscle. Eligard is given as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection. Lupron Depot and Eligard are available as single dose kits that contain a prefilled injection syringe of:

• 7.5 mg (given every month)
• 22.5 mg (given every 3 months)
• 30 mg (given every 4 months)
• 45 mg (given every 6 months)

Depot formulations, like Lupron Depot and Eligard, continuously release medicine into your body over a certain period of time after injection. This means you may not need to get a shot every day (or even every month). Both medicines supply a continuous release of leuprolide and these injections are only given by a healthcare provider.

For the palliative treatment of prostate cancer:

• Lupron Depot is injected into a muscle of your upper arm, upper thigh or buttocks once every month, OR once every 3, 4 or 6 months for the treatment of prostate cancer, based on the dose you need. Lupron Depot should be injected with 2 hours of preparation or it should be discarded.
• Eligard is injected subcutaneously (under the skin) in areas such as abdomen (stomach area) once every month, OR once every 3, 4 or 6 months based on the dose you need. Eligard should be injected within 30 minutes of preparation or it should be discarded.
• You will receive this injection in your doctor’s office, in a clinic or in the hospital. Leuprolide is not available in a pill form.

Related questions

• How long should you take Lupron for prostate cancer?
• Will I get my period while on Lupron?
• What does Lupron do for IVF?

Which drugs contain leuprolide?

There are different brand names and package inserts for these products, with different uses and doses. It is important to follow your doctor’s exact dosing instructions and read the patient information for specific use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.

The various package insert information, brand names and approved uses for leuprolide acetate can be found here:

• Eligard (FDA-approved use: symptoms of prostate cancer)
• Fensolvi (FDA-approved use: central precocious puberty)
• Lupron Depot (FDA-approved use: symptoms of prostate cancer)
• Lupron Depot 3.75 mg and Lupron Depot 11.25 mg - (FDA-approved use: endometriosis, uterine fibroids)
• Lupron-Depot Ped (FDA-approved use: central precocious puberty)

Is there a generic for Lupron Depot?

There is no therapeutically equivalent generic version of Lupron Depot or Eligard commercially available in the U.S. at this time.

Leuprolide 1 mg/0.2 mL injection strength is available as a generic (non-depot form) for the palliative treatment of prostate cancer or central precocious puberty, but this form must be injected daily.

Learn more: Comparing Lupron Depot vs Eligard

This is not all the information you need to know about Lupron Depot or Eligard for safe and effective use. Review the full product and patient information, and discuss this and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.