What Are The Effects Of Long Term Use Of Lupron?

Posted on Sun, 1 Jan 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 1 Jan 2017 Answered on

Thu, 19 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I had a prostatectory in 2014. My PSA since then started to rise, from 0.1 to 0.2 and currently back to 0.1. Not high numbers, but because of the doubling my oncologist has me taking Lupron and more recently Xtandi. These are not fun drugs to take. Some people tell me I will be on Lupron the rest of my life. Also that Xtandi works well but only for so long. I seem to respond well to these drugs, at first Lupron, then not, now Xtandi, which took me back to 0.1. Your opinion on their long-term usage? Might the day come when I don't need a drug at all and move into the watchful waiting category?

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You have to be on these drugs forever!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

These medications act by preventing a hormone from stimulating the cancerous cells of the prostate from multiplying. This only lasts as long as you are on these medications. Though the side effects are something to be concerned about, it is difficult to get these stopped if we must control the multiplication of these cancerous cells and the PSA levels.

In all, you would never have to stop them unless when they all fail to respond, signaling treatment failure.

I wish you well. Feel free to follow up on this is need be. Happy New Year 2017 to you and your family!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad