How is administration of Eligard performed? Is it different than Lupron? Is it different than Firmagon?
My husband is getting his first 3 month injection of Eligard and he is wondering what to expect. He was previously getting monthly Firmagon shots and for the last four months he's been taking Orgovyx.
The firmagon injections were painful, left a big knot on his belly, and he felt bad for several days after.
Any help will be appreciated. He is not confident in the new nurse at his doctor's office and wants to know what to expect.
Thank you.
Written by
SuppWife
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I had two eligard injection, they gave it in the back of my arm. The needle is bigger then the lupron injection. I had a big knot on my arm, it goes down over the three months. My lupron was giving in the hip with no pain. I would take lupron over eligard.
Thank you for reply. My husband just started seeing Dr. Sartor at Tulane and he said they usually use Eligard. I wonder why he would suggest Eligard over Lupron. Any idea?
Eligard is cheaper. I suggest Lupron monthly. More effective according to company male reps with PCA.
I've gotten both Eligard and Lupron and I prefer the Eligard injection which is typically given in the belly fat. It burns a little going in, but then the pain is gone in a minute or two. You do have a small lump there, but it's not a big deal and there is no pain at all after a few minutes. With Lupron, my backside was sore for several days after the shot.
I've found that taking a couple extra-strength Tylenols about an hour before the injection takes the edge off the initial pain/ burning sensation. The nurse also uses the cold spray to numb the injection site. That helps too.
I was kind of apprehensive before the first shot, but after that it was no big deal at all.
I just received a 6 month Lupron injection. The injection kit it comes in specifically states it’s an intramuscular injection. Took it in my butt cheek. We’re your lupron injections the 6 month version?
As far as I know, Lupron is administered intramuscular regardless of whether it's 3 or 6 month. I got the 3 month because that's all they offered.
Later, I started treatment at the VA and they use 3 month Eligard.
• in reply to
I really hate the fact that we aren't allowed to self-administer. When I give myself injections I take my time, wiggle around, can split the dose to make it easier on my body, know where the "sweet" spots are and I generally have zero pain. When doctors do their stuff, OUCH!!! They won't even allow me to inject myself under their "expert supervision". I'd be fine with a nurse drawing the medication since apparently I can't be trusted to get the dose right. But they insist on drawing and then giving me SubQ or IM pain.
Does anyone have experience with self-injecting IM or SubQ antiandrogens? Do you need certification in the states?
Lupron vs Eligard -- One goes in muscle, the other in fat. I've had both, and I prefer Lupron. My two Eligard shots stung really bad. Probably just me, but it stung like a hornet, initial pain lasted 10 minutes, slowly easing up over an hour.
I am currently on Orgovyx, and I love it. No more shots, no more pain.
I think you were correct the first time. Apparently the discontinued form of Lupron was subcutaneous. They use Lupron depot now. medicalnewstoday.com/articl...
Unfortunately the pills are very expensive on many insurances such as Medicare PartD
I went back to eligard, the Lupron in the hip made it sore for a couple of days, the elegard if administered correctly is not that bad, sore spot for a day with the small lump for 3 months, no big deal.
Firmagon gives fewer cardiac problems. However it is painful for a day and some fever possibly. Moreover it's monthly unlike Lupron which could be six monthly as well.
My Eligard injections are in my belly fat every 6 months. Since 2016 I have had 11 of them. A slight sting when they go in but no the problems with me.
It is so interesting how our experiences are so different with Eligard. I had it twice, and both times it was such an intense sting, it felt like a hornet sting that wouldn't go away. The initial sting lasted for close to 10 minutes, and then it slowly subsided of the next hour. After the second shot, I asked the doc to change me back to Lupron. Lupron for me, didn't hurt at all, not even a bump.
I received Eligard injection every six months and it is given in my lower stomach area. I have no pain and just get a little sore to the touch for about 24 hours. It is definitely who administers the shot that makes a difference. The six months injection is by far the biggest of the needles and amount of Eligard Don't worry about it its not a big deal . Leo
Eligard and Lupron are not bad at all for most, they just sting a little bit. Skill of the injector matters, maybe take the ice. Firmagon has a reputation for being more painful.
Everyone has pretty much summed it up already but I'll add my 2 cents. I've been on Eligard 3 month shots for 1 1/2 years. The shot is given to me in my belly fat and it stings/burns pretty good for a minute or so and leaves a bump. The nurse warned me the first time i got the shot about the burn/sting so I was prepared. My most recent shot was 2 weeks ago and was given at a different office (and different nurse) than I usually go to and the shot did not sting or burn at all, and it left a very small bump. I was a little disturbed by this because I thought maybe they mixed up and gave me a 1 month instead of the 3 month. I called back that office and they assured me they did not mix up the dose. I emailed my usual urologist's office nurse, the one that always gave me the shot and she replied "Eligard should be administered subcutaneously, meaning the medication should sit in the fat pocket on top of the muscle causing the lump. If the medication was administered to deeply into the muscle that can cause you to not feel the burn or stinging sensation as well as the lump will not be as protruded because the medication has been absorbed into the muscle and not being released into the blood stream at a slow rate". I'm sure she spoke to my urologist about it but she went on to say if it was administered to deeply it isn’t detrimental to my health or treatment. The medication will still work, it is still in your body, it just is being digested quicker then usual. She felt like everything will be okay until my next injection and offered to check my PSA levels mid-way through just to monitor where they are at during this time.
I was receiving Lupron Depot and was switched to Eligard as the was a shortage of the Lupron the Lupron depot was in the muscle high on the buttock slight soreness, the Eligard was given in the fat on my belly and the nurse had me hold an ice pack on the shot site before administering and I had only a slight burning . I will ask for an ice pack in the future if it is not offered. These are just shots and in the scheme of things pretty minor. Best wishes
Been of Eligard for a while as it was available and Lupron wasn't. Started in the butt and somewhere had one in the belly. It was very bothersome, so back to the butt with no problems .
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
How do you find a good oncologist and how do you overcome the side effects of Lupron?
Leuprolide: Eligard VS Lupron (1 month, 3 month, 6 months)
4 the week of Firmagon
Is my husbands treatment working?
Can i switch to Eligard from Firmagon ?
