Goserelin

Goserelin is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of prostate cancer, breast cancer, endometriosis, and endometrial thinning.

• Goserelin is available under the following different brand names: Zoladex, Zoladex LA

Adult dosage

Implant

• 3.6mg
• 10.8mg

Prostate Cancer

Adult dosage

• Monthly implant: 3.6 mg SC every 28 days
• 3-months implant: 10.8 mg SC every 12 weeks

Breast Cancer

Adult dosage

• 3.6 mg implant SC every 28 days

Endometriosis

Adult dosage

• 3.6 mg implant SC every 28 days

Endometrial Thinning

Adult dosage

• 3.8 mg SC every 28 days for 1 or 2 doses

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

Common side effects of Goserelin include:

• hot flashes,
• sweating,
• mood changes,
• increased or decreased interest in sex,
• changes in sexual function,
• fewer erections than normal,
• headache,
• swelling in the hands or feet,
• vaginal dryness,
• vaginal itching or discharge,
• changes in breast size,
• acne,
• mild skin rash, and
• itching

Serious side effects of Goserelin include:

• painful or difficult urination,
• pain, bruising, swelling, redness, oozing, or bleeding at the implant site,
• increased thirst,
• increased urination,
• hunger,
• dry mouth,
• fruity breath odor,
• drowsiness,
• dry skin,
• blurred vision,
• weight loss,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• constipation,
• muscle pain or weakness,
• bone pain,
• confusion,
• feeling tired or restless,
• chest pain or pressure,
• pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder,
• back pain,
• problems with balance or coordination,
• severe numbness or tingling in the legs or feet,
• loss of bladder or bowel control,
• sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body),
• sudden severe headache,
• slurred speech, and
• problems with vision

Rare side effects of Goserelin include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Goserelin has severe interactions with at least 30 other  drugs:
• Goserelin has serious interactions with the following drugs:
  • amisulpride
  • desflurane
  • deutetrabenazine
  • encorafenib
  • entrectinib
  • fexinidazole
  • glasdegib
  • inotuzumab
  • lefamulin
  • panobinostat
  • pitolisant
• Goserelin has moderate interactions with at least 68 other drugs.
• Goserelin has minor interactions with the following drugs:
  • maitake
  • taurine

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to LHRH, LHRH-agonists, any component of the product
• Pregnancy (for endometriosis), lactation, undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Goserelin?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Goserelin?”

Cautions

• Manifestations of the disease may worsen at beginning of therapy
• An increase in cervical resistance may occur; caution is recommended when dilating the cervix for endometrial ablation
• Avoid pregnancy; premenopausal women should use nonhormonal contraception until more than 12 weeks following the end of treatment
• Risk of reduced glucose tolerance in men
• Males at risk of ureteral obstruction or spinal compression
• Risk of pituitary apoplexy (rare)
• The ongoing analysis found that men receiving GnRH agonists for prostate cancer were at a small increased risk for diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and sudden death
• Do not exceed 1-year treatment duration with GnRH agonists in women except when treating breast cancer
• Androgen deprivation therapy may prolong the QT interval; consider risks and benefits
• Hypercalcemia has been reported in patients with bone metastases treated with goserelin; monitor and manage appropriately
• Increased risk of myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death, and stroke reported in association with the use of GnRH analogs in men; monitor for cardiovascular disease and manage according to current clinical practice
• Hyperglycemia and an increased risk of developing diabetes have been reported in men receiving GnRH analogs. Monitor blood glucose level and manage according to current clinical practice
• Pregnancy must be excluded for use in benign gynecological conditions
• Transient worsening of tumor symptoms may occur during the first few weeks of therapy, which may include ureteral obstruction and spinal cord compression; monitor patients at risk for complications of tumor flare
• Injection site injury and vascular injury including pain, hematoma, hemorrhage, and hemorrhagic shock, requiring blood transfusions and surgical intervention, reported; use extra care when administering to patients with low BMI and/or to patients receiving full-dose anticoagulation

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug is available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk (advanced breast cancer)
• Do not use it in pregnancy. The risks involved outweigh the potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist (endometriosis, endometrial thinning)
• Lactation
  • Excretion in milk unknown; not recommended