leuprolide
(LOO-proh-lide)
The active
ingredient in a drug used to treat symptoms of advanced
prostate cancer. It is also used to treat early puberty in
children and certain gynecologic conditions. It is being
studied in the treatment of other conditions and types of
cancer. Leuprolide blocks the body from making testosterone
(a male hormone) and estradiol (a female hormone). It may
stop the growth of prostate cancer cells that need
testosterone to grow. It is a type of
gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog.