goserelin (Subcutaneous route)
goe-se-REL-in
Commonly used brand name(s):
In the U.S.
- Zoladex
Available Dosage Forms:
- Implant
Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent
Pharmacologic Class: Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone Agonist
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Uses For goserelin
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.
Goserelin is to be given only by or under the supervision of your doctor. It is injected under the skin.
Before Using goserelin
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For goserelin, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to goserelin or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Studies of goserelin have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of goserelin in children younger than 18 years of age with use in other age groups. Endometriosis is not likely to occur before puberty.
Geriatric
Many medicines have not been tested in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of goserelin in the elderly to use in other age groups, it has been used mostly in elderly patients and is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Pregnancy
| Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| All Trimesters | X | Studies in animals or pregnant women have demonstrated positive evidence of fetal abnormalities. This drug should not be used in women who are or may become pregnant because the risk clearly outweighs any possible benefit. |
Breast Feeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of goserelin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Changes in vaginal bleeding from an unknown cause—Gonadorelin may delay diagnosis or worsen condition. The reason for the bleeding should be determined before goserelin is used
- Conditions that increase the chances of developing thinning bones or
- Osteoporosis (brittle bones), history of, or family history of—It is important that your doctor know if you already have an increased risk of osteoporosis. Some things that can increase your risk for having osteoporosis include cigarette smoking, alcohol abuse, and a family history of osteoporosis or easily broken bones. Some medicines, such as corticosteroids (cortisone-like medicines) or anticonvulsants (seizure medicine), can also cause thinning of the bones when used for a long time
- Nerve problems caused by bone lesions in the spine (in treatment of cancer of the prostate) or
- Problems in passing urine (in treatment of cancer of the prostate)—Conditions may get worse for a short time after goserelin treatment is started
Proper Use of goserelin
Goserelin sometimes causes unwanted effects such as hot flashes or decreased sexual ability. However, it is very important that you continue to receive the medicine, even after you begin to feel better. Do not stop treatment with goserelin without first checking with your doctor.
Dosing
The dose of goserelin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of goserelin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For implants dosage form:
- For treating cancer of the breast:
- Adults—3.6 milligrams (mg) (one implant) injected under the skin of the upper abdomen every twenty-eight days.
- Children up to 18 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
- For treating cancer of the prostate:
- Adults—3.6 milligrams (mg) (one implant) injected under the skin of the upper abdomen every twenty-eight days or 10.8 mg (one implant) injected under the skin of the upper abdomen every twelve weeks.
- Children up to 18 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
- For treating endometriosis:
- Adults—3.6 milligrams (mg) (one implant) injected under the skin of the upper abdomen every twenty-eight days for six months.
- Children up to 18 years of age—Use must be determined by the doctor.
- For thinning the uterus before surgery of the uterus:
- Adults—3.6 milligrams (mg) (one implant) injected under the skin of the upper abdomen every twenty-eight days for two doses.
- Children up to 18 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
- For treating cancer of the breast:
Missed Dose
Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.
If you miss getting a dose of goserelin, receive it as soon as possible.
Precautions While Using goserelin
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that goserelin is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.
For women—
- During the time you are receiving goserelin, your menstrual period may not be regular or you may not have a menstrual period at all. This is to be expected when being treated with goserelin. If regular menstrual periods continue during treatment or do not begin within 2 to 3 months after you stop using goserelin, check with your health care professional.
- To prevent pregnancy if you are sexually active and able to become pregnant, you should use birth control methods that do not contain hormones, such as vaginal spermicides with condoms, a diaphragm, or a cervical cap. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.
- If you suspect you are pregnant, check with your doctor immediately. There is a chance goserelin could cause problems to the unborn baby if taken during a pregnancy.
During use of goserelin, and usually for a short time after discontinuing it, the medicine decreases fertility in men by reducing sperm counts and in many women by suppressing egg development. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor before receiving the medicine.
goserelin Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
For adultsLess common- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Bone, muscle, or joint pain
- changes in skin color of face
- fainting
- fast or irregular breathing
- numbness or tingling of hands or feet
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes
- shortness of breath
- skin rash, hives, and/or itching
- sudden, severe decrease in blood pressure and collapse
- tightness in chest or wheezing
- troubled breathing
- Pains in chest
- pain in groin or legs (especially in calves of legs)
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
For females onlyRare- Anxiety
- deepening of voice
- increased hair growth
- mental depression
- mood changes
- nervousness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
For females and malesMore common- Sudden sweating and feelings of warmth (also called hot flashes)
- Blurred vision
- burning, itching, redness, or swelling at place of injection
- decreased interest in sexual intercourse
- dizziness
- headache
- nausea or vomiting
- swelling and increased tenderness of breasts
- swelling of feet or lower legs
- trouble in sleeping
- weight gain
- Light, irregular vaginal bleeding
- stopping of menstrual periods
- Burning, dryness, or itching of vagina
- pelvic pain
- Bone pain
- constipation
- decreased size of testicles
- inability to have or keep an erection
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
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goserelin Subcutaneous Side Effects
Compare goserelin Subcutaneous with other medications for the treatment of:
Prostate Cancer, Breast Cancer, Palliative, Endometriosis, Bleeding Disorder
