Buserelin

This information from Lexicomp^® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: Canada

Suprefact; Suprefact Depot 2 Months; Suprefact Depot 3 Months

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to treat prostate cancer.
• It is used to treat endometriosis.
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?

All products:

• If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have a long QT on ECG.

For prostate cancer:

• If you have had your testicles removed or you have prostate cancer where hormones do not make it grow.

Injection:

• If the patient is a newborn or infant. This drug has benzyl alcohol in it. If possible, avoid products with benzyl alcohol in newborns or infants. Serious side effects can happen in these children with some doses of benzyl alcohol, including if given with other drugs that have benzyl alcohol.

For endometriosis:

• If you have unexplained vaginal bleeding.
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant. Do not take this drug if you are pregnant.
• If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take this drug.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?

For all uses of this drug:

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how this drug affects you.
• Use care if you have risks for heart disease (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, overweight, high blood sugar or diabetes, cigarette smoking, male older than 40 years of age, other family members with early heart disease, female after menopause). Talk with your doctor.
• This drug may raise some hormone levels in your body during the first few weeks of taking it. Disease signs may get worse before getting better. Tell your doctor if you have any new signs or if your disease signs are worse for longer than a few weeks after starting this drug.
• Have your blood work and bone density checked as you have been told by your doctor.
• This drug may cause weak bones. This may happen more often if used for a long time. This may raise the chance of broken bones. Call your doctor right away if you have bone pain.
• High blood sugar has happened with this drug. This includes diabetes that is new or worse.
• Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
• High blood pressure has happened with this drug. Have your blood pressure checked as you have been told by your doctor.
• This drug may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take this drug.

For prostate cancer:

• The chance of severe and sometimes deadly problems may be raised in people with bladder blockage. It may also be raised in people with growths on or near the spine or spinal cord. If you have questions, talk with your doctor.
• Lowering male hormones in the body may raise the chance of a type of heartbeat that is not normal called prolonged QT interval. Talk with the doctor.

For endometriosis:

• Use a non-hormone type of birth control like condoms to prevent pregnancy while taking this drug. Do not use birth control pills or other hormone-based birth control while using this drug.
• If you miss doses of this drug, bleeding between cycles can happen. There may also be a chance of getting pregnant if you miss doses of this drug. Talk with your doctor.
• This drug may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant.
• A pregnancy test will be done to show that you are NOT pregnant before starting this drug. If you get pregnant while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, unusual thirst or hunger, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
• Very bad back pain.
• Blood in the urine.
• Not able to move.
• Trouble passing urine.
• A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
• Very bad dizziness or passing out.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Shortness of breath.
• Swelling.
• Pain that is new or worse.
• Mental, mood, or behavior changes that are new or worse.
• Fever, chills, or sore throat.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

All products:

• Hot flashes.
• Lowered interest in sex.
• Not able to get or keep an erection.

Injection and nose spray:

• Dizziness.
• Gas.
• Enlarged breasts.
• Headache.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Diarrhea.
• Upset stomach.
• Vaginal dryness.
• Period (menstrual) changes.

Nose spray:

• Nose irritation.
• Dry nose.
• Pimples (acne).

Implant and all injection products:

• Irritation where the shot is given.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

How is this drug best taken?

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

Nose spray:

• Do not take this drug by mouth. Use in your nose only. Keep out of your mouth and eyes (may burn).
• If you are able to get pregnant and have menstrual periods, start taking this drug on the second or third day of a normal menstrual period.
• Wash your hands before use.
• You will need to prime the pump before first use. You may also need to prime the pump if it has not been used for some time. Be sure you know when you need to prime the pump and how to do it. Talk with the doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.

Implant:

• It is put in as an implant under the skin.

Injection:

• It is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin.
• If you will be giving yourself the shot, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to give the shot.
• If you are able to get pregnant and have menstrual periods, start taking this drug on the second or third day of a normal menstrual period.
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Do not use if the solution is cloudy, leaking, or has particles.
• Do not use if solution changes color.
• Move site where you give the shot each time.
• Throw away needles in a needle/sharp disposal box. Do not reuse needles or other items. When the box is full, follow all local rules for getting rid of it. Talk with a doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Injection and nose spray:

• Use a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not use 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Implant:

• Call your doctor to find out what to do.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

Injection and nose spray:

• Store at room temperature. Do not freeze.
• Store in original container.
• Protect from heat and light.

Nose spray:

• Store upright with the cap on.
• Throw away any part not used 5 weeks after opening.

Injection:

• Throw away any part not used 2 weeks after first use.

Implant:

• If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

All products:

• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2022-07-26

Copyright

© 2024 UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved.