Lupron

Lupron (leuprolide acetate) belongs to a class of drugs known as a gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists. Lupron has been used for many years in IVF programs. The main purpose of giving lupron in an IVF cycle is to prevent a premature LH surge prior to egg retrieval. If lupron is not used, approximately 30% of IVF cycles will be cancelled due to a premature LH surge. Lupron also helps synchronize the cohort of growing follicles. Numerous studies have confirmed higher pregnancy rates in IVF cycles in which lupron is used. Lupron suppresses FSH and LH secretion from the pituitary gland which in turn shuts down estrogen and progesterone production by the ovaries. Once lupron has suppressed the ovaries, gondotropin stimulation of the ovaries is begun. Lupron is continued until the day hCG is given. When given in an IVF cycle, lupron is administered as a daily subcutaneous (sub-Q) injection.

Lupron is also used to treat women with endometriosis and pelvic pain. Endometriosis associated pelvic pain usually improves with lupron therapy. When used for this purpose, lupron is administered as a monthly (or every 3 month) intramuscular (IM) injection. Lupron, however, is not a permanent cure for endometriosis and the majority of women will have recurrence of their pain after lupron is stopped.

Lupron can be used to shrink uterine fibroids prior to surgery. Fibroids will decrease in size by approximately 40% after 3 months of lupron therapy. When lupron is stopped, however, the fibroids will return to their original size. Lupron is not a permanent or long term treatment of uterine fibroids.