Zoladex Side Effects

Generic name: goserelin

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 1, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Zoladex Side Effects associated with goserelin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Zoladex.

Applies to goserelin: subcutaneous implant.

Serious side effects of Zoladex

Along with its needed effects, goserelin (the active ingredient contained in Zoladex) 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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking goserelin:

For all adults

More common side effects

• discouragement
• feeling sad or empty
• lack of appetite
• loss of interest or pleasure
• tiredness
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping

Less common side effects

• bladder pain
• bloody or cloudy urine
• blurred vision
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• dizziness
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• frequent urge to urinate
• headache
• lower back or side pain
• nervousness
• pounding in the ears
• slow or fast heartbeat
• trouble in urinating

Rare side effects

• bone, muscle, or joint pain
• changes in skin color of the face
• chest tightness
• fainting
• fast or irregular breathing
• numbness or tingling of the hands or feet
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes
• skin rash, hives, or itching
• sudden, severe decrease in blood pressure and collapse
• trouble breathing

For females only

More common side effects

• breast pain
• itching of the vaginal or genital area
• pain during sexual intercourse
• thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor

Rare side effects

• anxiety
• deepening of voice
• increased hair growth
• mental depression
• mood changes

For males only

More common side effects

• abnormal ejaculation
• black, tarry stools
• blood in the stools
• bloody or cloudy urine
• continuing diarrhea
• continuing stomach pain
• decreased sexual performance or desire

Less common side effects

• ankle, knee, or great toe joint pain
• anxiety
• breast swelling and tenderness
• chest pain or discomfort
• chills
• cold hands and feet
• constipation
• dry mouth
• flushed, dry skin
• fruit-like breath odor
• increased hunger
• increased thirst
• increased urination
• increased weight
• joint stiffness or swelling
• nausea
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• pale skin
• swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
• unexplained weight loss
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting

Rare side effects

• chest pain
• pain in the groin or legs (especially in the calves of the legs)

Other side effects of Zoladex

Some side effects of goserelin 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 all adults

More common side effects

• sudden sweating and feelings of warmth (also called hot flashes)

Less common side effects

• blurred vision
• burning, itching, redness, or swelling at the place of injection
• decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• dizziness
• headache
• nausea or vomiting
• swelling and increased tenderness of the breasts
• swelling of the feet or lower legs
• trouble sleeping
• weight gain

For females only

More common side effects

• back pain
• body aches or pain
• cough
• crying
• depersonalization
• difficulty in moving
• dryness or soreness of the throat
• dysphoria
• euphoria
• excessive muscle tone
• increased hair growth, especially on the face
• lack or loss of strength
• light, irregular vaginal bleeding
• muscle aches, stiffness, pains, or cramps
• paranoia
• quick to react or overreact emotionally
• rapidly changing moods
• stopping of menstrual periods
• stuffy or runny nose
• tender, swollen glands in the neck
• trouble in swallowing
• voice changes

Less common side effects

• acid or sour stomach
• belching
• bloated
• bloody nose
• burning, dryness, or itching of the vagina
• dry mouth
• dry skin
• excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
• full feeling
• heartburn
• impaired vision
• indigestion
• loss or thinning of the hair
• passing gas
• pelvic pain
• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

For males only

Less common side effects

• bone pain
• constipation
• decreased size of the testicles
• inability to have or keep an erection

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

For female patients: You should not receive this medicine if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Your birth control pills may not work as well while you are receiving this medicine. Use a nonhormonal form of birth control together with your pills to keep from getting pregnant while you are receiving this medicine and for at least 12 weeks after treatment. Nonhormonal birth control includes vaginal spermicides, condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

For female patients: 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 this medicine. If regular menstrual periods continue during treatment or do not begin within 2 to 3 months after you stop using this medicine, check with your doctor.

When you first start using this medicine for cancer treatment, some of your symptoms might get worse for a short time. You might also have new symptoms. You might have bone pain, back pain, or trouble urinating. These symptoms should improve within a few weeks. Tell your doctor if you have any new symptoms or your symptoms get worse.

For male patients: This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you are diabetic and notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests, check with your doctor.

For male patients: This medicine may increase risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain or discomfort, confusion, double vision, headache, nausea or vomiting, slow speech, sweating, trouble speaking, or trouble moving the arms, legs, or facial muscles.

This medicine can cause decreases in bone mineral density, which may lead to osteoporosis or weakened bones. Talk with your doctor about how this risk will affect you.

This medicine may cause a serious allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.

Contact your doctor right away if you have any changes to your heart rhythm. You might feel dizzy or faint, or you might have a fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat. Make sure your doctor knows if you or anyone in your family has ever had a heart rhythm problem including QT prolongation.

Injection site injury (eg, pain, hematoma, hemorrhage, and hemorrhage shock) may occur after receiving this medicine. Call your doctor right away if you have abdominal or stomach pain, bloated or full feeling, lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting, or trouble breathing.

This medicine may cause depression especially in women. Check with your doctor right away if you have discouragement, feeling sad or empty, irritability, lack of appetite, loss of interest or pleasure, tiredness, trouble concentrating, or trouble sleeping.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are using this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

For healthcare professionals

Applies to goserelin: subcutaneous implant.

Genitourinary adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Sexual dysfunction (21%), erectile dysfunction (18%), lower urinary tract symptoms (13%), vaginitis, breast atrophy, breast enlargement
• Common (1% to 10%): Gynecomastia, incontinence and urinary frequency (after radiotherapy), ureteric obstruction, pelvic pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Breast tenderness^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Libido decreased, emotional lability
• Common (1% to 10%): Mood changes, depression, insomnia
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Psychotic disorder^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Hyperhidrosis, acne, seborrhea
• Common (1% to 10%): Rash, pruritus
• Frequency not reported: Alopecia^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Hot flashes (62%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Cardiac failure, myocardial infarction, blood pressure abnormal
• Frequency not reported: QT prolongation
• Postmarketing reports: Deep vein thrombosis, stroke, transient ischemic attack^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache
• Common (1% to 10%): Paresthesia, spinal cord compression, dizziness
• Postmarketing reports: Convulsions^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (36%), cystitis (16%), rectal bleeding (14%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Proctitis, vomiting^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Pharyngitis
• Common (1% to 10%): Upper respiratory infection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Drug hypersensitivity
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylactic reaction^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Bone pain, myalgia, leg cramps, hypertonia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arthralgia
• Postmarketing reports: Osteoporosis, decreased bone mineral density and bone fracture in men^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Glucose tolerance impaired, weight increased, anorexia^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Hematuria^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Pituitary hemorrhage/infarction^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Pituitary tumor^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Influenza syndrome^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site reaction

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Lethargy, pain, edema^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Zoladex side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer