Goserelin (By injection)

goe-se-REL-in

Treats prostate cancer and breast cancer. In women, also used to treat endometriosis and to thin the lining of the uterus before surgery.

Drug classes

Antineoplastic Agent (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Goserelin is a hormone similar to the one normally released from the hypothalamus gland in the brain. It is used to treat a number of medical problems. These include:

Cancer of the prostate in men

Cancer of the breast in women if it develops before or around the time of menopause

Endometriosis, a painful condition caused by extra tissue growing inside or outside of the uterus, and

Thinning of the lining of the uterus before surgery on the uterus.

When given regularly as an implant, goserelin works every day to decrease the amount of estrogen and testosterone in the blood.

Reducing the amount of estrogen in the body is one way of treating endometriosis and cancer of the breast, and can help thin the uterus lining before surgery. Goserelin prevents the growth of tissue associated with endometriosis in adult women during treatment and for up to 6 months after treatment is discontinued.

Reducing the amount of testosterone in the body is one way of treating cancer of the prostate.

Suppressing estrogen can thin the bones or slow their growth. This is a problem for adult women whose bones are no longer growing like the bones of children. This is why goserelin is used only for up to 6 months in adult women treated for endometriosis.

This medicine is to be given only by or under the supervision of your doctor.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Injectable

You will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin near your stomach. This medicine may be given once every 28 days or once every 3 months. Your schedule depends on the reason you are using this medicine.

Missed dose: This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Tell your doctor if you use birth control pills, implants, patches, or shots. You may need a second form of birth control while you receive this medicine.

Tell your doctor if you are using a blood thinner (such as warfarin).

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive this medicine if you had an allergic reaction to goserelin or similar medicines, or if you are pregnant.

Warnings

It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Use a nonhormonal form of birth control (such as condoms, vaginal spermicides, cervical caps, or a diaphragm) to prevent pregnancy while you are receiving this medicine and for at least 12 weeks after treatment.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have bone cancer, diabetes, heart or blood vessel problems, heart rhythm problems (such as long QT syndrome), or a family history of osteoporosis. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol or use tobacco. Tell your doctor if you have any unusual vaginal bleeding.

This medicine may cause the following problems:

Loss of bone density Increased risk of diabetes, heart attack, or stroke in men Heart rhythm problems, such as a condition called QT prolongation

For women: You will stop having monthly periods during treatment with this medicine. This is not an effective form of birth control. Tell your doctor if you continue to have normal periods while receiving this medicine.

Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Abdominal pain or bloating, dizziness, shortness of breath, confusion

Change in how much or how often you urinate, bloody or cloudy urine, painful urination

Chest pain that may spread, trouble breathing, nausea, unusual sweating, fainting

Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat, dizziness, lightheadedness

Numbness or weakness on one side of your body, sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking

Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Change in breast size, dryness or itching in your vagina

Diarrhea

Headache, mild depression

Hot flashes, sweating

Pain, itching, bleeding, bruising, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the shot was given

Trouble having sex or loss of interest in sex

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Zoladex

There may be other brand names for this medicine.