Description
Eligard leuprolide acetate 22.5 mg is a three-month depot injection used in specialist care to suppress testosterone in adult men with prostate cancer. This Turkish Recordati presentation contains leuprorelin acetate (also called leuprolide acetate in some countries) and a two-syringe system that must be mixed immediately before a subcutaneous injection by a trained healthcare professional.
This page is an evidence-based product guide for the current Turkish pack. It does not replace an oncologist’s prescription, examination, laboratory monitoring, or the official patient leaflet.
Eligard leuprolide acetate 22.5 mg: quick facts
- Active ingredient: 22.5 mg leuprorelin acetate, equivalent to 20.87 mg leuprorelin.
- Medicine class: gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist.
- Usual schedule: one subcutaneous depot injection every three months.
- Administration: prepared and injected only by a trained healthcare professional.
- Pack: two prefilled syringes whose contents are mixed just before use.
- Manufacturer/marketing authorisation holder in Turkey: Recordati.
- Prescription status: specialist prescription medicine; it is not for self-injection.
What is Eligard used for?
Eligard is an androgen-deprivation therapy. Official product information lists it for the treatment of hormone-dependent advanced prostate cancer. It may also be used with radiotherapy for high-risk localised or locally advanced hormone-dependent prostate cancer when a specialist considers that combination appropriate.
Eligard is not chemotherapy. It lowers testosterone, a hormone that can stimulate many prostate cancers. The medicine controls hormone signalling; it does not guarantee a cure and treatment response must be assessed by the oncology team.
How does the three-month depot work?
At the start of therapy, a GnRH agonist can briefly increase testosterone before continuous exposure switches off the pituitary signal that drives testosterone production. After this initial phase, testosterone usually falls to castration levels. The polymer depot then releases the medicine gradually over the three-month dosing interval.
Because the first rise can temporarily worsen symptoms, the prescriber may consider a suitable anti-androgen before and during the opening weeks in patients at risk. Never add, stop, or change another cancer medicine without the treating specialist.
Dose and professional administration
The recommended adult dose is 22.5 mg once every three months as a single subcutaneous injection. The two syringe contents must be brought to the correct conditions, connected, mixed exactly as described in the official instructions, and administered immediately after reconstitution. Poor preparation may reduce drug delivery, so this is a healthcare-professional procedure.
The injection site should be changed each time. Eligard must not be injected into an artery or vein. If an appointment is delayed, contact the oncology clinic promptly for instructions rather than attempting to adjust the schedule yourself.
7 essential safety checks during Eligard treatment
1. Baseline cancer and symptom review
Before treatment, the clinician reviews the diagnosis, stage, current symptoms, medicines, allergies, previous hormone therapy, bone health and risk of urinary obstruction or spinal cord compression. New severe back pain, leg weakness, numbness, or loss of bladder or bowel control requires urgent medical assessment.
2. Eligard leuprolide acetate: PSA and testosterone monitoring
PSA and serum testosterone are commonly checked to confirm biochemical response. The schedule depends on the cancer stage and the treatment plan. Rising PSA, failure of testosterone suppression, or worsening symptoms needs specialist review; it should not be interpreted from a single result without clinical context.
3. Eligard leuprolide acetate tumour-flare vigilance
A temporary tumour flare can occur, most often in the first one to two weeks. Increased bone pain, difficulty passing urine, blood in the urine, or neurological symptoms should be reported immediately. Patients with vertebral metastases or urinary obstruction need especially close observation.
4. Eligard leuprolide acetate and metabolic health
Androgen-deprivation therapy may increase blood glucose and can worsen or reveal diabetes. The care team may monitor fasting glucose or HbA1c, weight, blood pressure and lipids. People already taking diabetes medicine should follow the monitoring plan because doses may need clinician-led adjustment.
5. Eligard leuprolide acetate and cardiovascular risk
Tell the prescriber about heart disease, stroke, chest pain, heart failure, fainting, abnormal rhythm, low potassium or magnesium, and all medicines that can prolong the QT interval. Seek urgent help for chest pain, severe shortness of breath, sudden weakness, or fainting. The balance of benefit and risk is individual.
6. Eligard leuprolide acetate and bone health
Long-term testosterone suppression can reduce bone density and may increase fracture risk. Depending on age and risk factors, clinicians may assess bone density, vitamin D, calcium intake, exercise, smoking and alcohol. Do not start high-dose supplements without medical advice.
7. Neurological, allergic and severe skin reactions
Convulsions and idiopathic intracranial hypertension have been reported with GnRH agonists. Persistent severe headache, vision change, ringing in the ears, seizure, facial swelling, breathing difficulty, widespread blistering or skin peeling needs urgent care. Severe skin reactions such as Stevens–Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis are rare but medical emergencies.
Common side effects and when to seek help
Frequently reported effects of testosterone suppression include hot flushes, tiredness, sweating, reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, headache, nausea, weight change, muscle or joint discomfort and injection-site pain, redness or bruising. Mood change, sleep difficulty, anaemia and changes in breast tissue may also occur.
Contact the clinic if effects are persistent, worsening or affecting daily life. Urgent assessment is needed for symptoms of spinal cord compression, inability to urinate, severe allergic reaction, chest pain, fainting, seizure, severe headache with visual symptoms, or a spreading blistering rash.
Storage of the Turkish Recordati pack
Keep the unopened carton in a refrigerator at 2–8°C, in the original package and protected from moisture. Official information permits an unopened pack to remain below 25°C for up to four weeks; once it has been removed and kept at room temperature, follow the product instructions and do not return it to routine use without professional guidance. After opening the tray or preparing the mixture, use it immediately.
Do not freeze, expose the pack to heat, use damaged packaging, or use it after the expiry date. Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children. For transport, confirm the cold-chain plan with the dispensing pharmacy.
How to recognise the current Turkish pack
The photographed presentation is the white-and-green Recordati carton labelled “ELIGARD 22,5 mg” and “subkutan enjeksiyonluk çözelti hazırlamak için toz ve çözücü.” It contains the two-syringe mixing system. The Turkish marketing authorisation number shown on current official information is 2022/126 and the barcode is 8699559770155. Packaging can change, so compare the received pack with the pharmacy invoice, seal, batch number and expiry date.
Frequently asked questions
Is Eligard 22.5 mg given every month?
No. This strength is designed for one injection every three months. Other depot strengths may use different schedules, so verify the exact prescribed presentation.
Can I inject Eligard myself?
No. Mixing and subcutaneous administration require a trained healthcare professional. The two-syringe system must be prepared correctly and used immediately.
Why can symptoms worsen at the beginning?
The first doses may briefly increase testosterone before sustained suppression occurs. This tumour-flare period is why early symptom monitoring and, in selected patients, an anti-androgen plan are important.
What monitoring should I expect?
Your oncologist may monitor PSA, testosterone, blood glucose or HbA1c, cardiovascular risk, blood count, bone health and symptoms. The exact tests and timing depend on the individual treatment plan.
Is leuprorelin the same as leuprolide?
They are international naming variants for the same active medicine. Turkish and European information commonly uses leuprorelin, while US information often uses leuprolide.
Eligard leuprolide acetate treatment checklist
Use this practical Eligard leuprolide acetate checklist with the oncology plan: confirm the exact strength, appointment date, cold-chain condition and current medicine list before every dose.
- Bring the latest PSA and testosterone results requested for Eligard leuprolide acetate follow-up.
- Tell the clinician about new pain, urinary symptoms, fainting, seizure, headache, vision change or rash before Eligard leuprolide acetate is administered.
- Confirm glucose, cardiovascular and bone-health monitoring during long-term Eligard leuprolide acetate treatment.
- Keep Eligard leuprolide acetate refrigerated at 2–8°C in its original carton until the professional preparation appointment.
- Never mix, inject or change the timing of Eligard leuprolide acetate without the specialist team.
Trusted medical sources
Information on this page was checked against the official Turkish Recordati product information, the current FDA label, and the authorised Eligard 22.5 mg SmPC. You can also browse our No Style Like health catalogue.
Medical disclaimer: Prescription-only oncology medicine. Use only under a qualified specialist’s supervision. This educational page does not provide a diagnosis, prescription or emergency service. If severe or rapidly worsening symptoms occur, contact emergency medical care.
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