Hormone Support Protocol
LeuprolideComplete Dosing & Administration Guide
A powerful GnRH agonist that helps manage hormone-sensitive conditions by controlling hormone production.
Dose Range
3.75 mg-45 mgmonthly or 3-month injections (depending on formulation)
Frequency
Once daily
Route
Subcutaneous injection (daily)
Cycle Length
Ongoing/indefinite
Dosing
How much
do I take?
Timing
Best time to take
Administer Leuprolide at the same time each day (or on the same day each week for weekly injections). Many users prefer morning or evening administration. Pick a time you'll remember consistently.
With food?
Leuprolide injections can be given regardless of meal timing. However, if GI effects occur, administering on an empty stomach or with a light meal may help reduce discomfort.
If stacking
Leuprolide should be used as directed by your healthcare provider. If combining with other medications or supplements, discuss potential interactions with your provider. Avoid combining with compounds that have overlapping mechanisms unless specifically guided by a medical professional.
Adjusting Your Dose
Increase if
- +You've tolerated the current dose for the recommended period without significant side effects
- +Therapeutic goals haven't been met at the current dose level
- +Your healthcare provider recommends dose escalation based on your response
- +Lab work or clinical assessments support a higher dose
Decrease if
- -Side effects are bothersome or impacting daily life despite management strategies
- -You experience any signs of an adverse reaction
- -Lab results indicate the need for dose reduction
- -Your healthcare provider recommends a lower dose based on your response
Signs of right dose
- ✓Therapeutic goals being met with minimal side effects
- ✓Stable and consistent response to treatment
- ✓Lab values or clinical markers trending in the right direction
- ✓Good tolerance with manageable or absent side effects
Dosing Calculator
Calculate Your Exact Dose
Step 1: Peptide Weight
Find the weight printed on your peptide vial label
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The peptide weight is printed on the label
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The weight is on the label
Administration
How do I
use it?
Reconstitution
What you need
- •Leuprolide vial (lyophilized powder or solution)
- •Bacteriostatic water or sterile sodium chloride for reconstitution
- •Alcohol swabs for cleaning vial tops and injection sites
- •Appropriately sized syringes with fine-gauge needles (27-30 gauge)
- •Sharps disposal container
Injection
Route
Subcutaneous injection (into the fatty tissue just under the skin)—allows for consistent absorption and can be self-administered at home after proper training
Best sites
- •Abdomen (stomach area)—at least 2 inches from the belly button, most popular choice for self-injection
- •Front of thighs—middle to upper portion of the outer leg
- •Back of upper arm—outer area (may need assistance from another person)
Technique
- 1.Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling supplies
- 2.Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab and let it air dry completely
- 3.Pinch a fold of skin at the chosen injection site
- 4.Insert the needle at a 45-90 degree angle (depending on needle length and body composition)
- 5.Inject the medication slowly and steadily over 5-10 seconds
- 6.Release the skin fold and remove the needle, applying gentle pressure with a clean swab
- 7.Rotate injection sites to prevent tissue irritation or lipodystrophy
- 8.Dispose of the needle safely in a sharps container—never recap or reuse needles
Storage
Signs of degradation
Sample Daily Schedule
Safety
Is it
safe?
Safety Profile
Leuprolide (Lupron) is an FDA-approved GnRH agonist with 35+ years of clinical safety data involving millions of patients in oncology and endocrinology. The critical safety issue is the initial 5-7 day flare effect—temporary surge in FSH/LH causing symptom worsening before hormone suppression begins—particularly dangerous for prostate cancer patients (flare can cause urinary obstruction or spinal cord compression). Bone density loss is a dose-dependent long-term risk in both men and women requiring monitoring. Injection site reactions, hot flushes, and initial hypogonadal symptoms are expected and typically transient.
Leuprolide safety is well-established through FDA registration trials, extensive post-marketing surveillance, and hundreds of published clinical studies spanning endometriosis, prostate cancer, precocious puberty, and breast cancer indications. Long-term safety data from 10+ years of continuous therapy shows predictable hypogonadal effects with manageable metabolic consequences when monitored appropriately. Black box warnings exist for flare risk in certain prostate cancer scenarios and bone loss risk in extended use.
Common Side Effects
Experienced by some users
Hot flashes (very common in men)
Hot flashes (very common in men)
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Decreased libido and erectile dysfunction
Decreased libido and erectile dysfunction
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Injection site pain or swelling
Injection site pain or swelling
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Nausea
Nausea
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Fatigue
Fatigue
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Mood changes or depression
Mood changes or depression
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Joint or muscle pain
Joint or muscle pain
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Headaches
Headaches
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Dizziness
Dizziness
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Thinning hair
Thinning hair
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Decreased bone density (osteoporosis with long-term use)
Decreased bone density (osteoporosis with long-term use)
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
QT prolongation (rare but serious cardiac effect)
QT prolongation (rare but serious cardiac effect)
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Tumor flare (temporary worsening of cancer symptoms in first weeks)
Tumor flare (temporary worsening of cancer symptoms in first weeks)
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Severe allergic reactions
Severe allergic reactions
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Spinal cord compression risk in men with metastatic disease
Spinal cord compression risk in men with metastatic disease
Management: Consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Stop and Seek Help If
- ×Severe or worsening side effects that don't improve with dose adjustment or supportive care
- ×Signs of an allergic reaction—rash, hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing
- ×Your healthcare provider recommends discontinuation based on your clinical response
- ×Development of any new medical condition that may be contraindicated with Leuprolide
- ×Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant (unless specifically approved for use during pregnancy)
- ×Abnormal lab results or clinical markers that suggest adverse effects
Leuprolide should only be started, adjusted, or discontinued under medical supervision. This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Never stop a prescribed treatment without consulting your healthcare provider first, as abrupt discontinuation may have consequences.
Interactions
With other peptides
- ✓May be used together under medical guidance.
- ✓May be used together under medical guidance.
- ✓May be used together under medical guidance.
With medications
- !Other GnRH agonists (would cause overdosing) - Use with caution—discuss with your healthcare provider.
- !Certain medications that prolong QT interval - Use with caution—discuss with your healthcare provider.
- !Avoid if taking medications that significantly interact with testosterone suppression - Use with caution—discuss with your healthcare provider.
With supplements
- ✓Multivitamins - Generally safe to take alongside Leuprolide. Space doses apart if taking oral formulations to ensure optimal absorption.
- ✓Electrolyte supplements - Helpful if experiencing any GI side effects that could lead to dehydration. Safe to combine.
Want the Full Picture?
View the complete Leuprolide research profile including mechanism of action, clinical studies, effectiveness timeline, and FAQ.
View Full Leuprolide Profile