Is there another name for Lupron? Unpacking the Brand and Generic Names

October 10, 2025 •

2 min read

Lupron is a well-known brand name for a hormone therapy medication, but it is not the only name you might encounter. The generic name for Lupron is leuprolide acetate, and this active ingredient is also sold under several other brand names, depending on its specific formulation and intended use. Understanding the different names and formulations can help clarify its various applications in conditions like prostate cancer and endometriosis.

Quick Summary

The brand name Lupron corresponds to the generic medication leuprolide acetate, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. It is also marketed under other brand names, including Eligard, Camcevi, and Fensolvi, with specific indications and administration methods.

Key Points

Generic Name: The generic name for Lupron is leuprolide acetate.
Other Brand Names: Besides Lupron, leuprolide acetate is sold under brand names like Eligard, Camcevi, Fensolvi, and LUPRON DEPOT-PED.
GnRH Agonist: Lupron belongs to the class of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, which work by reducing sex hormone levels.
Diverse Applications: It is used to treat advanced prostate cancer, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and central precocious puberty.
Forms and Administration: Different formulations vary in how they are administered; for instance, Lupron Depot is an intramuscular injection, while Eligard is subcutaneous.
Important Side Effects: Common side effects include hot flashes, mood changes, and bone density loss with long-term use.

The Generic and Alternative Brand Names for Lupron

At the core of the brand-name drug Lupron is the active ingredient leuprolide acetate. The term 'Lupron' often refers to the specific formulation known as LUPRON DEPOT, but the generic compound is used in several other prescription products as well. Different brand names are tailored for various medical conditions, patient populations, or dosing schedules.

Other Brand Names Containing Leuprolide Acetate

Several other brand names contain leuprolide acetate:

Eligard: Used for advanced prostate cancer, administered via subcutaneous injection.
Camcevi: Another subcutaneous leuprolide formulation for prostate cancer.
Fensolvi: Indicated for Central Precocious Puberty (CPP) in children.
LUPRON DEPOT-PED: A pediatric version of LUPRON DEPOT for CPP.
Viadur: A discontinued implantable form for prostate cancer.
Prostap: Used in some international markets.

The Mechanism and Medical Applications of Leuprolide Acetate

Leuprolide acetate is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. It reduces sex hormone levels by desensitizing the pituitary gland to GnRH, which decreases LH and FSH production, leading to lower testosterone in men and estrogen in women.

This hormonal suppression treats:

Advanced Prostate Cancer: Slows cancer growth by lowering testosterone.
Endometriosis and Uterine Fibroids: Shrinks fibroids and reduces pain by lowering estrogen.
Central Precocious Puberty (CPP): Slows early puberty by suppressing hormones.

Comparing Lupron Depot and Eligard

Lupron Depot and Eligard have the same active ingredient but differ in use and administration.


Feature	LUPRON DEPOT	Eligard
Route of Administration	Intramuscular (IM) injection.	Subcutaneous (SQ) injection.
Formulation	Powder mixed with liquid before injection.	Pre-filled syringe.
Approved Indications	Prostate cancer, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and CPP.	Primarily for advanced prostate cancer.
Dosing Frequency	Varies by dose/condition.	Varies by dose/condition.

Potential Side Effects and Considerations

Side effects are primarily due to hormone changes. An initial hormone surge may worsen symptoms temporarily.

Common side effects include:

Hot flashes/sweats
Headaches and mood changes
Loss of libido
Testicular shrinking (men)
Vaginal dryness (women)

Long-term use can decrease bone mineral density, increasing osteoporosis risk.

Conclusion

While Lupron is a well-known brand, its generic name is leuprolide acetate, a GnRH agonist used to suppress sex hormones for various conditions. Other brands like Eligard, Camcevi, and Fensolvi use the same active compound but vary in formulation, administration, and approved uses. Awareness of these differences is important for selecting the correct treatment. Consulting a healthcare professional is crucial for determining the best treatment and managing side effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

The generic name for Lupron is leuprolide acetate.

Other brands containing the active ingredient leuprolide acetate include Eligard, Camcevi, Fensolvi, and LUPRON DEPOT-PED.

While both contain leuprolide acetate, the primary differences are the administration method and approved uses. LUPRON DEPOT is given as an intramuscular injection, while Eligard is a subcutaneous injection. Eligard is mainly for prostate cancer, whereas Lupron has broader indications.

Leuprolide acetate works by suppressing the production of sex hormones (testosterone and estrogen) after an initial temporary surge, which helps manage hormone-dependent conditions.

Lupron and its generic counterparts are used for advanced prostate cancer, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and central precocious puberty.

Common side effects include hot flashes, mood swings, headaches, bone pain, and potential bone density loss with long-term treatment.

Yes, other GnRH agonists like goserelin (Zoladex) and triptorelin are similar. Other alternatives for specific conditions, like oral medications such as Orilissa for endometriosis, are also available.