Can't find Lupron Depot? Learn about real alternatives like Eligard, Zoladex, Trelstar, and Orgovyx that your doctor may prescribe instead.
If you or your doctor has been unable to find Lupron Depot in stock, you may be wondering: are there other medications that do the same thing? The short answer is yes — there are several alternatives that work through similar mechanisms and treat many of the same conditions.
That said, switching medications is a decision that should always be made with your healthcare provider. Different drugs have different formulations, dosing schedules, and insurance coverage. This guide will walk you through the most common alternatives so you can have an informed conversation with your doctor.
Lupron Depot (Leuprolide Acetate) is a GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) agonist manufactured by AbbVie. It's given as an intramuscular injection at intervals ranging from 1 to 6 months.
Here's how it works: GnRH agonists initially stimulate the pituitary gland to release hormones, but with continuous use, they actually shut down hormone production. This leads to dramatically reduced levels of testosterone (in men) or estrogen (in women). The result is a state of medical hormone suppression that's critical for treating conditions like:
For more detail, read our full guide on how Lupron works.
Eligard contains the exact same active ingredient as Lupron Depot — Leuprolide Acetate. The key difference is the delivery method: Eligard is injected subcutaneously (under the skin) rather than intramuscularly (into the muscle).
What it's approved for: Advanced prostate cancer
Available formulations:
Why it might work for you: Since Eligard uses the same drug, the therapeutic effect is essentially identical for prostate cancer patients. It may be easier to find because it's manufactured by a different company (Tolmar). However, Eligard is only approved for prostate cancer — it doesn't have FDA approval for endometriosis or fibroids.
Key consideration: Your doctor needs to write a new prescription. Lupron Depot and Eligard are not automatically interchangeable.
Zoladex is another GnRH agonist, but it uses a different active ingredient — Goserelin. It's delivered as a small implant injected under the skin of the abdomen.
What it's approved for:
Available formulations:
Why it might work for you: Zoladex has a broader range of approved indications than Eligard, making it a potential option for both cancer patients and women with endometriosis. It's manufactured by AstraZeneca, providing a different supply chain than AbbVie's Lupron.
Key consideration: While the mechanism is similar, Goserelin and Leuprolide are different drugs. Some patients may experience different side effect profiles.
Trelstar is a GnRH agonist that uses the active ingredient Triptorelin. It's given as an intramuscular injection, similar to Lupron Depot.
What it's approved for: Advanced prostate cancer
Available formulations:
Why it might work for you: Trelstar is a direct alternative for prostate cancer patients and works through the same GnRH agonist mechanism. It's manufactured by Verity Pharmaceuticals/Debiopharm, offering yet another supply source independent of AbbVie.
Key consideration: Like Eligard, Trelstar is only approved for prostate cancer in the U.S. and wouldn't be a first-line alternative for endometriosis or fibroids.
Orgovyx is a newer medication that represents a different approach. Instead of being a GnRH agonist, it's a GnRH antagonist — and it comes as a daily oral tablet. No injections required.
What it's approved for: Advanced prostate cancer
How it works: Unlike GnRH agonists that initially spike hormone levels before suppressing them (the "tumor flare" effect), GnRH antagonists like Orgovyx directly block GnRH receptors from the start. This means faster testosterone suppression without the initial flare.
Dosing: 360 mg loading dose on day 1, then 120 mg once daily
Why it might work for you: Orgovyx is ideal for prostate cancer patients who want to avoid injections entirely or who experience supply issues with injectable GnRH agonists. It also allows for faster testosterone recovery after stopping treatment. Studies suggest it may carry lower cardiovascular risk than injectable GnRH agonists.
Key consideration: Orgovyx requires daily pill-taking. It's generally more expensive than Lupron Depot on a monthly basis, and insurance coverage varies. It is not approved for endometriosis, fibroids, or CPP.
If you're being treated for endometriosis or uterine fibroids and can't find Lupron Depot, your options are somewhat different:
Talk to your gynecologist about which option makes the most sense for your specific situation.
Not being able to find Lupron is stressful, but you have real alternatives. The right choice depends on your specific condition, insurance coverage, and personal preferences.
Before making any changes, talk to your prescribing doctor. They can help you weigh the options and handle the insurance paperwork for a switch.
In the meantime, you can use Medfinder to check if Lupron Depot is available near you. And for the latest on supply issues, read our Lupron shortage update for 2026.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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