Eligard, generically called leuprolide acetate, is a prescription medication used in the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Presently there is no known cure for prostate cancer, but this medication helps to decrease the symptoms of the disease, thus making the patient more comfortable. It also may be used in the treatment of uterine tumors. Another function of Eligard is to help sufferers of central precocious puberty (CPP), a condition that causes early onset of puberty in boys and girls.
Side Effects in Adults
The use of Eligard in adults may cause serious side effects requiring immediate medical attention. These include difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, chest tightness, irregular heartbeat, wheezing, pain in the joints, a sudden drop in blood pressure, muscle pain, rash, pain in the bones, hives, swelling in the eyelids or the eye area and shortness of breath. Less serious side effects can include hot flashes, weight gain, blurred vision, injection site problems including swelling, bleeding, redness, bruising, pain, burning or itching, breast tenderness or swelling, nausea, headaches or dizziness.
Side Effects in Men
Some of Eligard's side effects only affect men. Some of these are serious while others are not and may vanish over time. The serious side effects in men may include chest pains, pain in the legs or groin, changes in mental processes, vomiting, collapse of the cardiovascular system, and changes in vision such as diplopia or double vision. Less serious effects in men include pain in the bones, impotence, constipation and testicle shrinking.
Side Effects in Women
Serious side effects of Eligard in women might include anxiety, nervousness, voice deepening, changes in mood, excessive growth of hair and depression. Less serious effects in women include vaginal bleeding that is irregular and light, pain in the pelvis, cessation of menstruation or vaginal problems such as itching, dryness and burning.
Side Effects in Children
Several serious side effects that require medical attention can occur in children taking Eligard for CPP. These include pain, rash, discomfort at the injection site, continual bleeding of the vagina or a continual white discharge from the vagina.
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