LEUPROLIDE ACETATE

Leuprolide acetate is a synthetic nonapeptide analog of naturally occurring gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH or LH-RH). The analog possesses greater potency than the natural hormone. The chemical name is 5-oxo-L-prolyl-L-histidyl-L-tryptophyl-L-seryl-L-tyrosyl-D-leucyl-L-leucyl-L-arginyl-N-ethyl-L-prolinamide acetate (salt) with the following structural formula: Leuprolide acetate injection is a sterile, aqueous solution intended for subcutaneous injection. It is available in a 2.8 mL multiple-dose vial containing leuprolide acetate, USP (5 mg/mL), sodium chloride, USP (6.3 mg/mL) for tonicity adjustment, benzyl alcohol, NF as a preservative (9 mg/mL), and water for injection, USP. The pH may have been adjusted with sodium hydroxide, NF and/or glacial acetic acid, USP. The pH range is 4.5 to 6.5. leuprolide-structure

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

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 glacial acetic acid. Follow the pictorial directions on the reverse side of this package insert for administration. NOTE: As with all parenteral products, inspect the solution for discoloration and particulate matter before each use.

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.

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). In a few cases a temporary worsening of existing hematuria and urinary tract obstruction occurred during the first week. Temporary weakness and paresthesia of the lower limbs have been reported in a few cases. 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 (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 Physiologic effect of decreased testosterone. Decreased testicular size 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 events (excluding those considered not drug related) 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 System - Auditory hallucinations/tinnitus, Decreased hearing, Decreased reflexes, Euphoria, Hyperreflexia, Loss of smell, Motor deficiency; Respiratory System - Chest tightness, Decreased breathing sounds, Hemoptysis, Pleuritic chest pain, Pulmonary infiltrate, Rales/rhonchi, Rhinitis, Strep throat, Wheezing/bronchitis; Integumentary System - Boil (pubic), Bruises, Hives, Keratosis, Mole, Shingles, Spiders; Urogenital System - Blisters on penis, Inguinal hernia, Penile swelling, Post void residual, Prostatic pain, Pyuria; Miscellaneous - Abdominal distention, Facial swelling/edema, Feet burning, Flu, Eyelid growth, Hypoproteinemia, Accidental injury, Knee effusion, Mass, Pallid, Sallow, Weakness. Postmarketing During postmarketing surveillance which includes other dosage forms and other patient populations, the following adverse events were reported. Symptoms consistent with an anaphylactoid or asthmatic process have been rarely (incidence rate of about 0.002%) reported. Localized reactions including induration and abscess have been reported at the site of injection. Symptoms consistent with fibromyalgia (e.g., joint and muscle pain, headaches, sleep disorders, gastrointestinal distress, and shortness of breath) have been reported individually and collectively. Cardiovascular System - Hypotension, Myocardial infarction, Pulmonary embolism; Endocrine System – Diabetes; Gastrointestinal System - Hepatic dysfunction; Hepato-biliary disorder – Serious drug-induced liver injury; Hemic and Lymphatic System - Decreased WBC; Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders - Rash, Urticaria, Photosensitivity, Hair growth, SJS/TEN, DRESS, AGEP, Dermatitis exfoliative, Bullous dermatitis, Erythema multiforme; Central/Peripheral Nervous System - Convulsion, Peripheral neuropathy, Spinal fracture/paralysis, Hearing disorder; Miscellaneous - Hard nodule in throat, Weight gain, Increased uric acid; Musculoskeletal System - Tenosynovitis-like symptoms; Respiratory System - Respiratory disorders, Interstitial lung disease; Urogenital System – Prostate pain. 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 an LH-RH agonist analog. In a clinical trial, 25 men with prostate cancer, 12 of whom had been treated previously with leuprolide acetate for at least six months, underwent bone density studies as a result of pain. The leuprolide-treated group had lower bone density scores than the nontreated control group. It can be anticipated that long periods of medical castration in men will have effects on bone density. Pituitary apoplexy: During postmarketing 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. See other LUPRON DEPOT* and leuprolide acetate injection package inserts for other events reported in the same and different patient populations.

See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY , Pharmacokinetics section.