Lupron #3

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ARE PERSISTENT LUPRON-RELATED SIDE-EFFECTS DUE TO A MALFUNCTIONING

PITUITARY GLAND?

 

By Nicholas Regush

 

 

In our continuing long-term investigation of Lupron and its use in

the treatment of endometriosis and a wide range of other conditions,

from time to time, we shall provide you with a preliminary report on

an issue that we think is important. For example, it appears to us

after consultation with experts and a review of the medical

literature that a malfunctioning pituitary gland may be involved in

some of the persistent symptoms so many women claim to suffer after

ending Lupron therapy for endometriosis.

 

Therefore, consider some of the following issues we are pursuing and

the questions we believe need to be asked about Lupron and its

potential impact on women being treated for endometriosis, a

condition in which pieces of the lining of the uterus are found in

other parts of the body, especially in the pelvic cavity. These

pieces of endometrium respond to the menstrual cycle and bleed.

Because the blood cannot escape, it builds up and causes the

development of small or large painful cysts.

 

The pituitary, shaped like a bean, weighing less than a gram and

lying below the brain in the skull, is the " master gland. " IT AFFECTS

EVERY FUNCTION IN THE BODY.

 

Lupron suppresses the pituitary-gonadal system. This synthetic

hormone-like drug is used to temporarily interrupt estrogen output.

Hence, a drug-induced menopause. The idea is to reduce pain and

shrink lesions produced via endometriosis.

 

In the package insert for Lupron, which is made by TAP

Pharmaceuticals Inc., the claim is made that normal function of the

pituitary-gonadal system is " usually restored within three months

after treatment is discontinued. " Itís also made clear

that " diagnostic tests of pituitary gonadotropic and gonadal

functions conducted during treatment and for up to three months after

discontinuation of Lupron Depot may be misleading. " In other words, a

clear picture of, say, POTENTIALLY NORMALIZED pituitary functioning,

will likely be possible ONLY three months after stopping Lupron.

 

The package insert also indicates that patients have been treated

with lupron for up to three years with doses as high as 10 mg/day and

for two years with doses as high as 20 mg/day without demonstrable

pituitary abnormalities.

 

The problem is this: Most studies focused on Lupron and endometriosis

have been very small. Just how much testing and long-term follow-up

has been done to determine if there is pituitary dysfunction? The

answer? Very little. And meanwhile lupron is widely used for the

treatment of endometriosis.

 

With long-term studies missing, the obvious question is: just how

many women who were ill when they started taking Lupron did not have

the capacity to reverse the effects of Lupron treatment - in other

words, to get back the full capacity of the pituitary.

 

There are some leads that researchers must follow. Common symptoms of

pituitary disorders include irregular menses, sexual dysfunction,

infertility, changes in physical appearance, and unexplained mood

changes. These are the types of complaints some women have after

stopping Lupron.

 

There is also no research to determine whether Lupron

treatment " sticks. " That is, does Lupron continue to affect certain

receptors in the body, once treatment has stopped? Can Lupron

continue to have an effect in certain susceptible women?