Leuprolide Acetate

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Leuprolide acetate injection is indicated in the palliative treatment of advanced prostatic cancer.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended dose is 1 mg (0.2 mL or 20 unit mark) administered as a single daily subcutaneous injection. As with other drugs administered chronically by subcutaneous injection, the injection site should be varied periodically. Each 0.2 mL contains 1 mg of leuprolide acetate, sodium chloride for tonicity adjustment, 1.8 mg of benzyl alcohol as preservative and water for injection. The pH may have been adjusted with sodium hydroxide and/or acetic acid. Follow the pictorial directions on the Instructions for Use. NOTE: As with all parenteral products, inspect the solution for discoloration and particulate matter before each use.

WARNINGS Initially, leuprolide acetate injection, like other LH-RH agonists, causes increases in serum levels of testosterone. Transient worsening of symptoms, or the occurrence of additional signs and symptoms of prostate cancer, may develop during the first few weeks of leuprolide acetate treatment. Patients may experience a temporary increase in bone pain, which can be managed symptomatically. As with other LH-RH agonists, ureteral obstruction and spinal cord compression have been observed, which may contribute to paralysis with or without fatal complications. Safe use of leuprolide acetate in pregnancy has not been established clinically. Leuprolide acetate may cause fetal harm. Periodic monitoring of serum testosterone and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels is recommended, especially if the anticipated clinical or biochemical response to treatment has not been achieved. It should be noted that 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. Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions Leuprolide acetate can cause severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), including Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP). SCARs, including SJS/TEN, DRESS, and AGEP, occurred in patients receiving leuprolide acetate; including cases with visceral involvement and/or requiring skin grafts (see ADVERSE REACTIONS ). Monitor patients for the development of SCARs. If a SCAR is suspected, interrupt leuprolide acetate until the etiology of the reaction has been determined. Consultation with a dermatologist is recommended. If a SCAR is confirmed, or for other grade 4 skin reactions, permanently discontinue leuprolide acetate.

CONTRAINDICATIONS Leuprolide acetate injection is contraindicated in patients known to be hypersensitive to GnRH, GnRH agonist analogs or any of the excipients in leuprolide acetate injection: Reports of anaphylactic reactions to GnRH agonist analogs have been reported in the medical literature.

Drug Interactions See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Pharmacokinetics section. Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions Administration of leuprolide acetate in therapeutic doses results in suppression of the pituitary-gonadal system. Normal function is usually restored within 4 to 12 weeks after treatment is discontinued.

Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on findings in animal studies and mechanism of action, leuprolide acetate injection may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. There are no available data in pregnant women to inform the drug-associated risk. In animal developmental and reproductive toxicology studies, administration of a monthly formulation of leuprolide acetate on day 6 of pregnancy (sustained exposure was expected throughout the period of organogenesis) caused adverse embryo-fetal toxicity in animals at doses less than the human dose based on body surface area using an estimated daily dose (see data ). Advise pregnant patients and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to the fetus. Data Animal Data Major fetal malformations were observed in developmental and reproductive toxicology studies in rabbits after a single administration of the monthly formulation of leuprolide acetate administered on day 6 of pregnancy at test dosages of 0.00024, 0.0024, and 0.024 mg/kg (approximately 1/600 to 1/6 the human dose based on body surface area using an estimated daily dose in animals and humans). Since a depot formulation was utilized in the study, a sustained exposure to leuprolide was expected throughout the period of organogenesis and to the end of gestation. Similar studies in rats did not demonstrate an increase in fetal malformations, however, there was increased fetal mortality and decreased fetal weights with the two higher doses of the monthly formulation of leuprolide acetate in rabbits and with the highest dose in rats. Lactation The safety and efficacy of leuprolide acetate injection have not been established in females. There is no information regarding the presence of leuprolide acetate in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in a breastfed child from leuprolide acetate injection, a decision should be made to discontinue breastfeeding or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother. Females and Males of Reproductive Potential Infertility Males Based on findings in animals and mechanism of action, Leuprolide acetate injection may impair fertility in males of reproductive potential.

ADVERSE REACTIONS Clinical Trials 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 week of treatment. This transient increase was occasionally associated with a temporary worsening of signs and symptoms, usually manifested by an increase in bone pain (see WARNINGS section). Cases of temporary worsening of existing hematuria and urinary tract obstruction have occurred during the first week. Temporary weakness and paresthesia of the lower limbs have been reported. Potential exacerbations of signs and symptoms during the first few weeks of treatment is a concern in patients with vertebral metastases and/or urinary obstruction which, if aggravated, may lead to neurological problems or increase the obstruction. In a comparative trial of leuprolide acetate injection versus DES, in 5% or more of the patients receiving either drug, the following adverse reactions were reported to have a possible or probable relationship to drug as ascribed by the treating physician. Often, causality is difficult to assess in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Reactions considered not drug related are excluded. Leuprolide Acetate Injection (N=98) DES (N=101) Number of Reports Cardiovascular System Congestive heart failure 1 5 ECG changes/ischemia 19 22 High blood pressure 8 5 Murmur 3 8 Peripheral edema 12 30 Phlebitis/thrombosis 2 10 Gastrointestinal System Anorexia 6 5 Constipation 7 9 Nausea/vomiting 5 17 Endocrine System Decreased testicular size Physiologic effect of decreased testosterone. 7 11 Gynecomastia/breast tenderness or pain 7 63 Hot flashes 55 12 Impotence 4 12 Hemic and Lymphatic System Anemia 5 5 Musculoskeletal System Bone pain 5 2 Myalgia 3 9 Central/Peripheral Nervous System Dizziness/lightheadedness 5 7 General pain 13 13 Headache 7 4 Insomnia/sleep disorders 7 5 Respiratory System Dyspnea 2 8 Sinus congestion 5 6 Integumentary System Dermatitis 5 8 Urogenital System Frequency/urgency 6 8 Hematuria 6 4 Urinary tract infection 3 7 Miscellaneous Asthenia 10 10 In this same study, the following adverse reactions were reported in less than 5% of the patients on leuprolide acetate injection. Cardiovascular System Angina, Cardiac arrhythmias, Myocardial infarction, Pulmonary emboli Gastrointestinal System Diarrhea, Dysphagia, Gastrointestinal bleeding, Gastrointestinal disturbance, Peptic ulcer, Rectal polyps Endocrine System Libido decrease, Thyroid enlargement Musculoskeletal System Joint pain Central/Peripheral Nervous System Anxiety, Blurred vision, Lethargy, Memory disorder, Mood swings, Nervousness, Numbness, Paresthesia, Peripheral neuropathy, Syncope/blackouts, Taste disorders Respiratory System Cough, Pleural rub, Pneumonia, Pulmonary fibrosis Integumentary System Carcinoma of skin/ear, Dry skin, Ecchymosis, Hair loss, Itching, Local skin reactions, Pigmentation, Skin lesions Urogenital System Bladder spasms, Dysuria, Incontinence, Testicular pain, Urinary obstruction Miscellaneous Depression, Diabetes, Fatigue, Fever/chills, Hypoglycemia, Increased BUN, Increased calcium, Increased creatinine, Infection/inflammation, Ophthalmologic disorders, Swelling (temporal bone). In an additional clinical trial and from long-term observation of both studies, the following additional adverse reactions were reported for patients receiving leuprolide acetate injection. Cardiovascular System Bradycardia, Carotid bruit, Extrasystole, Palpitations, Perivascular cuffing (eyes), Ruptured aortic aneurysm, Stroke, Tachycardia, Transient ischemic attack Gastrointestinal System Flatus, Dryness of mouth and throat, Hepatitis, Hepatomegaly, Occult blood (rectal exam), Rectal fistula/erythema Endocrine System Libido increase, Thyroid nodule Musculoskeletal System Ankylosing spondylosis, Arthritis, Blurred disc margins, Bone fracture, Muscle stiffness, Muscle tenderness, Pelvic fibrosis, Spasms/cramps Central/Peripheral Nervous S…