How to Inject Leuprolide
Leuprolide is most commonly prescribed as a daily subcutaneous injection to treat patients with prostate cancer, endometriosis or uterine fibroids, or for children who enter puberty too soon. Leuprolide is also sold under the brand names Eligard, Lupron and Viadur and may require different doses. When administering Leuprolide, it is important to follow dosing instructions from your doctor carefully, and to immediately report any side effects you may experience.
Instructions
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1
Wash your hands thoroughly (for about 30 seconds) with soap and water.
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2
Examine the Leuprolide liquid for cloudiness or particulate matter. If it is not clean and clear, do not use it, and call your pharmacist.
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3
Remove the plastic cover of the liquid and use an alcohol wipe to clean the metal ring and rubber stopper.
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4
Take the wrapper off the new syringe. Find the correct dosage line on your syringe and pull the plunger back until the tip is at the line.
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5
Remove the cover from the needle. Being careful not to touch the needle, place the vial of Leuprolide on a clean countertop or table and insert the needle through the center of the gray rubber stopper of the vial.
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6
Inject air into the vial by pushing the plunger all the way down.
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7
Invert the container by turning it upside down with the needle still inserted. Look to see that the tip of the needle is completely submerged. Pull the plunger back until the syringe is filled to your dose.
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8
Remove the needle and carefully put the syringe on a clean surface. Do not let the needle come into contact with any surfaces. If you will not use the dose right away, recap the needle.
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9
Wipe the injection spot with an alcohol wipe. You should use a different spot on your skin to perform your injection every day.
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10
With one hand, slightly pinch the skin at the injection site. Use your other hand to hold the syringe.
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Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle to the skin and push in the plunger.
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12
Pull out the needle and clean the injection spot with an alcohol wipe. Dispose of the syringe in a sharps container.
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Tips & Warnings
Ask your doctor to show you how to perform the injection to make sure you are comfortable with the process before you try it yourself.
Do not reuse syringes. Some liquid may remain after you have withdrawn your allotted doses. This extra liquid is so you can get the amount of medicine you need without air bubbles. Do not try to get the last few drops out.
