Goserelin is a hormone preparation used to treat prostate cancer in men or breast cancer in women. This drug is also used in the treatment of endometriosis, which is the growth of uterine tissue outside the uterus, as well as the treatment of abnormal bleeding from the uterus.
Goserelin is a drug that belongs to the class of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists. This drug works by affecting the pituitary gland to reduce the production of the hormone testosterone in men and the hormone estrogen in women. With reduced production of these hormones, the growth of prostate cancer cells or breast cancer cells can be hampered.
Goserelin trademarks: Zoladex, Zoladex LA
What is Goserelin
| class | Prescription drug |
| Category | Hormonal therapy |
| Benefit | Overcome prostate cancer and breast cancer |
| Used by | Mature |
| Goserelin for pregnant and lactating women | Category X: Studies in animals and humans have demonstrated a fetal abnormality or risk to the fetus. Drugs in this category should not be used by women who are or have the possibility of becoming pregnant. It is not known whether Goserelin is absorbed into breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Implant injection |
Warning Before Using Goserelin
Goserelin may only be used according to a doctor's prescription. There are several things that you should pay attention to before using goserelin, namely:
- Tell your doctor about any history of allergies you have. Goserelin should not be used in patients who are allergic to this drug or to other homonal drugs, such as leuprolide, nafarelin, or ganirelix.
- Tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol .
- Tell your doctor if you or your family have or have had osteoporosis or a heart rhythm disorder called QT prolongation.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart disease , spinal problems, heart attack , stroke, diabetes , difficulty urinating, liver disease , abnormal bleeding from the vagina, or arrhythmias .
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy. Use contraception to prevent pregnancy while taking treatment with goserelin.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements or herbal products.
- Immediately see a doctor if you experience a drug allergic reaction, overdose, or serious side effects after using goserelin.
Dosage and Rules for Use Goserelin
Goserelin should only be given by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor. The following is the dose of goserelin that will be injected into adult patients based on the conditions to be treated:
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Conditions: Prostate cancer that has spread (metastasized)
The dose is 3.6 mg every 28 days or 10.8 mg every 12 weeks.
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Condition: Breast cancer.
The dose is 3.6 mg every 28 days.
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Condition: Thinning of the endometrium before endometrial ablation surgery . The
dose is 3.6 mg as a single dose, 4 weeks before surgery. Another alternative dose is 3.6 mg given 2 times with an interval of 4 weeks. Surgery is performed 2–4 weeks after the second dose.
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Conditions: Endometriosis
The dose is 3.6 mg every 28 days, the maximum length of treatment is 6 months.
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Conditions: Mioma
The dose is 3.6 mg every 28 days, the duration of treatment is up to 3 months before surgery.
How to use Goserelin correctly
Goserelin is only available as an implant injection. This medicine should only be given by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor . Goserelin is given by injection under the skin in the abdomen.
Goserelin is generally given every 4–12 weeks. Try to stick to the drug injection schedule. Schedule regular doctor consultations to avoid delays in dosing, as well as to monitor disease progress and response to treatment.
If you miss a scheduled goserelin injection, see your doctor immediately and make an appointment as soon as possible for the missed dose of the drug. Do not stop treatment with goserelin without consulting your doctor first.
Interactions of Goserelin with Other Drugs
The use of goserelin together with other drugs can cause several drug interaction effects, including:
- Increased risk of QT prolongation when used with quinidine , disopyramide, amiodarone , seritinib, sotalol , dolasetron, dofetilide , moxifloxacin, methadone , or antipsychotic drugs
- Increased risk of ovarian hyperstimulation when used with other hormones that affect gonadotropins
Goserelin Side Effects and Dangers
Some of the side effects that can occur after using goserelin are:
- Feeling hot or hot (hot flashes)
- Headaches , tension, depression , unable to control emotions or even emotions change quickly
- Redness of the neck, face or upper chest
- Pain in the breast or enlargement of the size of the breast
- Decreased sexual desire or pain during intercourse
- Vaginal dryness , itching or vaginal discharge
- Pain, redness and swelling at the injection site
- Sleep disorders
- Swelling in the hands or feet
Consult a doctor if these side effects do not improve or get worse. You need to see a doctor immediately if you experience an allergic drug reaction or more serious side effects, such as:
- Difficulty or pain when urinating, bloody urine , or severe back pain
- Very severe headache, vomiting, or blurry eyes
- High blood sugar levels, which can be characterized by persistent thirst, frequent urination, rapid hunger, dry mouth, dry skin, or frequent drowsiness
- Symptoms of a heart attack, such as chest pain that radiates to the shoulder or jaw, chest feels like pressure, nausea, and sweating
- Nervous disorders, which can be characterized by back pain, muscle weakness, impaired coordination of movements or balance, and numbness or tingling in the legs
- Stroke symptoms , such as numbness or weakness on one side of the body, sudden feeling very dizzy, stuttering, and impaired balance or vision