Eligard Injection Extended-Release: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

Step 1

Use aseptic technique throughout the procedure. Gloves are recommended during mixing and administration.

Allow the product to reach room temperature before mixing. Once mixed, the product must be administered within 30 minutes or it should be discarded.

On a clean field open the tray by tearing off the foil from the corner and remove the contents. Discard the desiccant pack. Remove the pre-connected syringe system from the tray. Open the sterile safety needle package by peeling back the paper tab. Note: Syringe A and Syringe B should not be lined-up yet. The product should only be administered with the co-packaged, sterile safety needle.

Step 2

Grasp the latching button on the coupling device with your finger and thumb and press until you hear a snapping sound. The two syringes will be aligned.

Do not bend the pre-connected syringe system.

Step 3

Holding the syringes in a horizontal position, transfer the liquid contents of Syringe A into the leuprolide acetate powder contained in Syringe B. Thoroughly mix the product for 60 cycles by pushing the contents back and forth between both syringes to obtain a uniform suspension.

• A cycle is one push of the Syringe A plunger and one push of the Syringe B plunger.
• When thoroughly mixed, the suspension will appear light tan to tan (ELIGARD 7.5 mg) or colorless to pale yellow (ELIGARD 22.5 mg, 30 mg, and 45 mg).

Note: Product must be mixed as described; shaking will NOT provide adequate mixing. Do not bend.

Step 4

After mixing, hold the syringes vertically (upright) with Syringe B (wide syringe) on the bottom. The syringes should remain securely coupled. Transfer all of the mixed product into Syringe B by depressing the Syringe A plunger and slightly withdrawing the Syringe B plunger.

Step 5

While ensuring the Syringe A plunger is fully pushed down, hold the coupling device and unscrew Syringe B. This will disconnect Syringe B from the coupling device. Syringe A will remain attached to the coupling device.

Note: Small air bubbles will remain in the formulation – this is acceptable.

Do not purge the air bubbles from Syringe B as product may be lost!

Step 6

Continue to hold Syringe B upright with the open end at the top. Hold back the white plunger on Syringe B to prevent loss of the product, and attach the safety needle and cap (the safety needle is located under the tray). Gently screw clockwise with approximately a three-quarter turn until the safety needle and cap are secure.

Do not overtighten, as the needle hub may become damaged which could result in leakage of the product during injection. The safety shield may also be damaged if the safety needle and cap are screwed with too much force.

Step 7

Move the safety shield away from the needle and towards the syringe.

Pull off the cap immediately prior to administration.

1. 1. Select an injection site on the abdomen, upper buttocks, or another location with adequate amounts of subcutaneous tissue that does not have excessive pigment, nodules, lesions, or hair and hasn’t recently been used.
2. 2. Cleanse the injection-site area with an alcohol swab (not enclosed).
3. 3. Using the thumb and forefinger, grab and bunch the area of skin around the injection site.

1. 4. Using your dominant hand, insert the needle quickly at a 90° angle to the skin surface. The depth of penetration will depend on the amount and fullness of the subcutaneous tissue and the length of the needle. After the needle is inserted, release the skin.
2. 5. Inject the drug using a slow, steady push and press down on the plunger until the syringe is empty.

Make sure all the drug has been injected before removing the needle.

1. 6. Withdraw the needle quickly at the same 90° angle used for insertion.

1. 7. Immediately following the withdrawal of the needle, activate the safety shield using a finger/thumb or flat surface and push until it completely covers the needle tip and locks into place.
2. 8. An audible and tactile “click” verifies a locked position.
3. 9. Check to confirm the safety shield is fully engaged. Discard all components safely in an appropriate biohazard container.