1.1 Endometriosis

Monotherapy

LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg is indicated for management of endometriosis, including pain relief and reduction of endometriotic lesions.

In Combination with Norethindrone Acetate

LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg in combination with norethindrone acetate is indicated for initial management of the painful symptoms of endometriosis and for management of recurrence of symptoms.

Use of norethindrone acetate in combination with LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg is referred to as add-back therapy, and is intended to reduce the loss of bone mineral density (BMD) and reduce vasomotor symptoms associated with use of LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg.

Limitations of Use:

The total duration of therapy with LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg plus add-back therapy should not exceed 12 months due to concerns about adverse impact on bone mineral density [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) and Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

1.2 Uterine Leiomyomata (Fibroids)

LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg, used concomitantly with iron therapy, is indicated for the preoperative hematologic improvement of women with anemia caused by fibroids for whom three months of hormonal suppression is deemed necessary.

Consider a one-month trial period on iron alone, as some women will respond to iron alone [see Clinical Studies (14.2)]. LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg may be added if the response to iron alone is considered inadequate.

Limitations of Use:

LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg is not indicated for combination use with norethindrone acetate add-back therapy for the preoperative hematologic improvement of women with anemia caused by heavy menstrual bleeding due to fibroids [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].

2.1 Important Use Information

2.2 Reconstitution and Administration for Injection of LUPRON DEPOT

• Reconstitute and administer the lyophilized microsphere as a single IM injection as directed below. Visually inspect the drug product for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.
• Inject the LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg suspension immediately or discard if not used within two hours as the suspension does not contain a preservative.
  1. Visually inspect the LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg powder. Do not use the syringe if clumping or caking is evident. A thin layer of powder on the wall of the syringe is considered normal prior to mixing with the diluent. The diluent should appear clear.
  2. To prepare for injection, screw the white plunger into the end stopper until the stopper begins to turn (see Figure A and Figure B).

     Figure A:

     

     Figure B:

     
  3. Hold the syringe UPRIGHT. Release the diluent by SLOWLY PUSHING the plunger for 6 to 8 seconds until the first middle stopper is at the blue line in the middle of the barrel (see Figure C).

     Figure C:

     
  4. Keep the syringe upright. Mix the microsphere powder thoroughly by gently shaking the syringe until the powder forms a uniform suspension. The suspension will appear milky. If the powder adheres to the stopper or caking/clumping is present, tap the syringe with your finger to disperse. Do not use if any of the powder has not gone into suspension (see Figure D).

     Figure D:

     
  5. Keep the syringe upright. With the opposite hand pull the needle cap upward without twisting.
  6. Keep the syringe upright. Advance the plunger to expel the air from the syringe. The syringe is now ready for injection.
  7. After cleaning the injection site with an alcohol swab, administer the IM injection by inserting the needle at a 90-degree angle into the gluteal area, anterior thigh, or deltoid. Injection sites should be alternated (see Figure E).

     Figure E:

     

     Note: If a blood vessel is accidentally penetrated, aspirated blood will be visible just below the luer lock (see Figure F) and can be seen through the transparent LuproLoc® safety device. If blood is present, remove the needle immediately. Do not inject the medication.

     Figure F:

     
  8. Inject the entire contents of the syringe intramuscularly.
  9. Withdraw the needle. Once the syringe has been withdrawn, immediately activate the LuproLoc® safety device by pushing the arrow on the lock upward towards the needle tip with the thumb or finger, as illustrated, until the needle cover of the safety device over the needle is fully extended and a click is heard or felt (see Figure G).

     Figure G:

     
  10. Dispose of the syringe according to local regulations/procedures.

5.1 Loss of Bone Mineral Density

LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg induces a hypoestrogenic state that results in loss of bone mineral density (BMD), some of which may not be reversible after stopping treatment. In women with major risk factors for decreased BMD such as chronic alcohol use (> 3 units per day), tobacco use, strong family history of osteoporosis, or chronic use of drugs that can decrease BMD, such as anticonvulsants or corticosteroids, use of LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg may pose an additional risk. Carefully weigh the risks and benefits of LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg use in these populations.

The duration of LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg treatment is limited by the risk of loss of bone mineral density [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].

When using LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg for the management of endometriosis, combination use of norethindrone acetate (add-back therapy) is effective in reducing the loss of BMD that occurs with leuprolide acetate [see Clinical Studies (14.2)]. Do not retreat with LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg without combination norethindrone acetate. Assess BMD before retreatment.

5.2 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

Based on animal reproduction studies and the drug’s mechanism of action, LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg may cause fetal harm if administered to a pregnant woman and is contraindicated in pregnant women. Exclude pregnancy prior to initiating treatment with LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg if clinically indicated. Discontinue LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg if the woman becomes pregnant during treatment and inform the woman of potential risk to the fetus [see Contraindications (4) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1)]. Advise women to notify their healthcare provider if they believe they may be pregnant.

When used at the recommended dose and dosing interval, LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg usually inhibits ovulation and stops menstruation. Contraception, however, is not ensured by taking LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg. If contraception is indicated, advise women to use non-hormonal methods of contraception while on treatment with LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg.

5.3 Hypersensitivity Reactions

Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have been reported with LUPRON DEPOT use. LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg is contraindicated in women with a history of hypersensitivity to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) or GnRH agonist analogs [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)].

In clinical trials of LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg, adverse events of asthma were reported in women with pre-existing histories of asthma, sinusitis, and environmental or drug allergies. Symptoms consistent with an anaphylactoid or asthmatic process have been reported postmarketing.

5.4 Initial Flare of Symptoms

Following the first dose of LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg, sex steroids temporarily rise above baseline because of the physiologic effect of the drug. Therefore, an increase in symptoms may be observed during the initial days of therapy, but these should dissipate with continued therapy.

5.5 Convulsions

There have been postmarketing reports of convulsions in women on GnRH agonists, including leuprolide acetate. These included women with and without concurrent medications and comorbid conditions.

5.6 Clinical Depression

Depression may occur or worsen during treatment with GnRH agonists including LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Carefully observe women for depression, especially those with a history of depression and consider whether the risks of continuing LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg outweigh the benefits. Women with new or worsening depression should be referred to a mental health professional, as appropriate.

5.7 Risks Associated with Norethindrone Combination Treatment

If LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg is administered with norethindrone acetate, the warnings and precautions for norethindrone acetate apply to this regimen. Refer to the norethindrone acetate prescribing information for a full list of the warnings and precautions for norethindrone acetate.

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.

6.2 Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of LUPRON DEPOT monotherapy or LUPRON DEPOT with norethindrone acetate add-back therapy. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

During postmarketing surveillance which includes other dosage forms and other populations, the following adverse reactions were reported:

• Body as a whole: Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, localized reactions including induration and abscess at the site of injection
• Nervous/Psychiatric System: Mood swings, including depression; suicidal ideation and attempt; convulsion, peripheral neuropathy, paralysis
• Hepato-biliary system: Serious liver injury
• Injury, poisoning and procedural complications: Spinal fracture
• Investigations: Decreased white blood count
• Musculoskeletal and connective tissue system: Tenosynovitis-like symptoms
• Vascular system: Hypotension, hypertension, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, stroke, transient ischemic attack
• Respiratory system: Symptoms consistent with an asthmatic process
• Multi-system disorders: Symptoms consistent with fibromyalgia (e.g., joint and muscle pain, headaches, sleep disorders, gastrointestinal distress, and shortness of breath), individually and collectively.

8.1 Pregnancy

Risk Summary

LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg is contraindicated in pregnancy [see Contraindications (4)].

LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg may cause fetal harm based on findings from animal studies and the drug’s mechanism of action [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1)]. There are limited human data on the use of LUPRON DEPOT in pregnant women. Based on animal reproduction studies, LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg may be associated with an increased risk of pregnancy complications, including early pregnancy loss and fetal harm. In animal reproduction studies, subcutaneous administration of leuprolide acetate to rabbits during the period of organogenesis caused embryo-fetal toxicity, decreased fetal weights and a dose-dependent increase in major fetal abnormalities in animals at doses less than the recommended human dose based on body surface area using an estimated daily dose. A similar rat study also showed increased fetal mortality and decreased fetal weights but no major fetal abnormalities at doses less than the recommended human dose based on body surface area using an estimated daily dose [see Data].

Data

Animal Data

When administered on day 6 of pregnancy at test dosages of 0.00024 mg/kg, 0.0024 mg/kg, and 0.024 mg/kg (1/300 to 1/3 of the human dose) to rabbits, leuprolide acetate produced a dose-related increase in major fetal abnormalities. Similar studies in rats failed to demonstrate an increase in fetal malformations. There was increased fetal mortality and decreased fetal weights with the two higher doses of LUPRON DEPOT in rabbits and with the highest dose (0.024 mg/kg) in rats.

8.2 Lactation

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of leuprolide acetate in either animal or human milk, the effects on the breastfed infants, or the effects on milk production.

The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg or from the underlying maternal condition.

8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential

Pregnancy Testing

Exclude pregnancy in women of reproductive potential prior to initiating LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg if clinically indicated [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

Contraception

Females

LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg may cause embryo-fetal harm when administered during pregnancy. LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg is not a contraceptive. If contraception is indicated, advise females of reproductive potential to use a non-hormonal method of contraception during treatment with LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

Infertility

Based on its pharmacodynamic effects of decreasing secretion of gonadal steroids, fertility is expected to be decreased while on treatment with LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg. Clinical and pharmacologic studies in adults (>18 years) with leuprolide acetate and similar analogs have shown reversibility of fertility suppression when the drug is discontinued after continuous administration for periods of up to 24 weeks [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1)].

There is no evidence that pregnancy rates are affected following discontinuation of LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg.

Animal studies (prepubertal and adult rats and monkeys) with leuprolide acetate and other GnRH analogs have shown functional recovery of fertility suppression.

8.4 Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness of LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg for management of endometriosis and the preoperative hematologic improvement of women with anemia caused by fibroids have been established in females of reproductive age. Efficacy is expected to be the same for postpubertal adolescents under the age of 18 as for users 18 years and older. The safety and effectiveness of LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg for these indications have not been established in premenarcheal pediatric patients.

8.5 Geriatric Use

LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg is not indicated in postmenopausal women and has not been studied in this population.

12.1 Mechanism of Action

Leuprolide acetate is a long-acting GnRH analog. A single injection of LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg results in an initial stimulation followed by a prolonged suppression of pituitary gonadotropins. Repeated dosing of LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg at quarterly intervals results in decreased secretion of gonadal steroids. Consequently, tissues and functions that depend on gonadal steroids for their maintenance become quiescent. This effect is reversible on discontinuation of drug therapy.

Leuprolide acetate is not active when given orally.

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

In a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study of LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg in healthy female subjects (N=20), the onset of estradiol suppression was observed for individual subjects between day 4 and week 4 after dosing. By the third week following the injection, the mean estradiol concentration (8 pg/mL) was in the menopausal range. Throughout the remainder of the dosing period, mean serum estradiol levels ranged from the menopausal to the early follicular range.

Serum estradiol was suppressed to ≤20 pg/mL in all subjects within four weeks and remained suppressed (≤40 pg/mL) in 80% of subjects until the end of the 12-week dosing interval, at which time two of these subjects had a value between 40 and 50 pg/mL. Four additional subjects had at least two consecutive elevations of estradiol (range 43-240 pg/mL) levels during the 12-week dosing interval, but there was no indication of luteal function for any of the subjects during this period.

Administration of LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg in therapeutic doses results in suppression of the pituitary‑gonadal system. Normal function is usually restored within three months after treatment is discontinued. Therefore, diagnostic tests of pituitary gonadotropic and gonadal functions conducted during treatment and for up to three months after discontinuation of LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg may be affected.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

A two-year carcinogenicity study was conducted in rats and mice. In rats, a dose-related increase of benign pituitary hyperplasia and benign pituitary adenomas was noted at 24 months when the drug was administered subcutaneously at high daily doses (0.6 to 4 mg/kg). There was a significant but not dose-related increase of pancreatic islet-cell adenomas in females and of testicular interstitial cell adenomas in males (highest incidence in the low dose group). In mice, no leuprolide acetate-induced tumors or pituitary abnormalities were observed at a dose as high as 60 mg/kg for two years. Patients have been treated with leuprolide acetate for up to three years with doses as high as 10 mg/day and for two years with doses as high as 20 mg/day without demonstrable pituitary abnormalities.

Mutagenicity studies have been performed with leuprolide acetate using bacterial and mammalian systems. These studies provided no evidence of a mutagenic potential.

14.1 Endometriosis

LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg Monotherapy

In controlled clinical studies, LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg monthly for six months was shown to be comparable to danazol 800 mg/day in relieving the clinical sign/symptoms of endometriosis (pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, pelvic tenderness, and induration) and in reducing the size of endometrial implants as evidenced by laparoscopy.

The clinical significance of a decrease in endometriotic lesions is not known, and laparoscopic staging of endometriosis does not necessarily correlate with the severity of symptoms.

LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg monthly induced amenorrhea in 74% and 98% of the women after the first and second month of treatment, respectively.  Most of the remaining women reported episodes of only light bleeding or spotting.  In the first, second and third post-treatment months, normal menstrual cycles resumed in 7%, 71% and 95% of women, respectively, excluding those who became pregnant.

Figure 1 illustrates the percent of women with symptoms at baseline, final treatment visit and sustained relief at 6 and 12 months following discontinuation of treatment for the various symptoms evaluated during the two controlled clinical studies. A total of 166 women received LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg. Seventy-five percent (N=125) of these elected to participate in the follow-up period. Of these women, 36% and 24% are included in the 6-month and 12-month follow-up analysis, respectively. All the women who had a pain evaluation at baseline and at least of one treatment visit are included in the Baseline (B) and final treatment visit (F) analysis.

Figure 1. Percent of Women with Signs/Symptoms of Endometriosis at Baseline, Final Treatment Visit, and After 6 and 12 Months of Follow-Up, LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg Monthly for Six Months

In a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study of healthy female subjects (N=20) LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg induced amenorrhea in 85% (N=17) of subjects during the initial month and 100% during the second month following the injection. All subjects remained amenorrheic through the remainder of the 12-week dosing interval.  Episodes of light bleeding and spotting were reported by a majority of subjects during the first month after the injection and in a few subjects at later time-points. Menses resumed on average 12 weeks (range 2.9 to 20.4 weeks) following the end of the 12-week dosing interval.

LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg produced similar pharmacodynamic effects in terms of hormonal and menstrual suppression to those achieved with monthly injections of LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg during the controlled clinical trials for the management of endometriosis and the anemia caused by uterine fibroids [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)].

A six-month pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic post-marketing study in 41 women that included both the LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg dose (N=20) administered once monthly and the LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg dose (N=21) administered once every three months did not reveal clinically significant differences in terms of efficacy in reducing painful symptoms of endometriosis or magnitude of the decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) associated with use of LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg and LUPRON DEPOT 11.25 mg. In both treatment groups, suppression of menses (defined as no new menses for at least 60 consecutive days) was achieved in 100% of the women who remained in the study for at least 60 days. Vertebral bone density measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) decreased compared with baseline by an average of 3.0% and 2.8% at six months for the two groups, respectively.

LUPRON DEPOT with Norethindrone Acetate Add-Back Therapy

Two clinical studies with treatment duration of 12 months were conducted to evaluate the effect of co-administration of LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg and norethindrone acetate on the loss of bone mineral density (BMD) associated with LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg and on the efficacy of LUPRON DEPOT in relieving symptoms of endometriosis. All women in these studies received calcium supplementation with 1000 mg elemental calcium. A total of 242 women were treated with monthly administration of LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg (13 injections) and 191 of them were co-administered 5 mg norethindrone acetate taken daily. The population age range was 17-43 years old. The majority of women were Caucasian (87%).

One co-administration study was a controlled, randomized and double-blind study included 51 women treated monthly with LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg alone and 55 women treated monthly with LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg plus norethindrone acetate daily. Women in this trial were followed for up to 24 months after completing one year of treatment. The other study was an open-label single arm clinical study in 136 women of one year of treatment with LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg monthly and daily norethindrone acetate 5 mg, with follow-up for up to 12 months after completing treatment. See Table 8.

The assessment of efficacy was based on the investigator’s or the woman’s monthly assessment of five signs or symptoms of endometriosis (dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, deep dyspareunia, pelvic tenderness and pelvic induration).

Table 8 below provides detailed efficacy data regarding relief of symptoms of endometriosis based on the two studies of co-administration of LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg monthly and norethindrone acetate 5 mg daily.

Suppression of menses (menses was defined as three or more consecutive days of menstrual bleeding) was maintained throughout treatment in 84% and 73% of women receiving leuprolide acetate and norethindrone acetate, in the controlled study and open label study, respectively. The median time for menses resumption after treatment with leuprolide acetate and norethindrone acetate was 8 weeks.

14.2 Fibroids

LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg monthly for a period of three to six months was studied in four controlled clinical trials.

In one of these clinical studies, enrollment was based on hematocrit ≤ 30% and/or hemoglobin ≤ 10.2 g/dL. Administration of LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg monthly, concomitantly with iron, produced an increase of ≥ 6% hematocrit and ≥ 2 g/dL hemoglobin in 77% of women at three months of therapy.  The mean change in hematocrit was 10.1% and the mean change in hemoglobin was 4.2 g/dL. Clinical response was judged to be a hematocrit of ≥ 36% and hemoglobin of ≥ 12 g/dL, thus allowing for autologous blood donation prior to surgery. At two and three months, respectively, 71% and 75% of women met this criterion (Table 11). These data suggest however, that some women may benefit from iron alone or 1 to 2 months of LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg.

Excessive vaginal bleeding (menorrhagia or menometrorrhagia) decreased in 80% of women at three months. Episodes of spotting and menstrual-like bleeding were noted in 16% of women at final visit.

In this same study, a decrease in uterine volume and myoma volume of ≥25% was seen in 60% and 54% of women, respectively. The mean fibroid diameter was 6.3 cm at pretreatment and decreased to 5.6 cm at the end of treatment. LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg was found to relieve symptoms of bloating, pelvic pain, and pressure.

In three other controlled clinical trials, enrollment was not based on hematologic status. Mean uterine volume decreased by 41% and myoma volume decreased by 37% at final visit as evidenced by ultrasound or MRI. The mean fibroid diameter was 5.6 cm at pretreatment and decreased to 4.7 cm at the end of treatment. These women also experienced a decrease in symptoms including excessive vaginal bleeding and pelvic discomfort. Ninety-five percent of these women became amenorrheic with 61%, 25%, and 4% experiencing amenorrhea during the first, second, and third treatment months respectively.

In addition, post-treatment follow-up was carried out in one clinical trial for a small percentage of women on LUPRON DEPOT 3.75 mg (N=46) among the 77% who demonstrated a ≥ 25% decrease in uterine volume while on therapy.  Menses usually returned within two months of cessation of therapy. Mean time to return to pretreatment uterine size was 8.3 months. Regrowth did not appear to be related to pretreatment uterine volume.