Zoladex

What is Zoladex?

Zoladex is a synthetic form of a hormone that regulates various processes within the body. Goserelin stimulates the body's creation of hormones, which causes the production to stop for a short period of time.The Zoladex implant is used to treat the symptoms of prostate cancer in men.

Zoladex is an implant utilized by females to manage breast cancer and endometriosis. Zoladex is also utilized in women to help prepare the inner lining of the uterus for endometrial ablation (a procedure to stop irregular bleeding from the uterus).Zoladex can be utilized in conjunction with another cancer treatment drug known as flutamide.

Warnings

Goserelin could cause harm to an unborn baby and cause a birth defect. If you are not being treated for advanced breast cancer, it is not recommended to take Zoladex during pregnancy. Utilize the most effective hormone-free (barrier) contraceptives throughout treatment and for at least 12 weeks after treatment is over. Tell your doctor right away in case you become pregnant while on your treatment. Do not breastfeed when you are taking Zoladex.

You shouldn't use Zoladex in the event that you have an allergy to goserelin or other similar hormones such as leuprolide (Lupron, Eligard, and Viadur) and the hormones nafarelin (Synarel) and ganirelix (Antagon).

Before taking Zoladex, consult your physician whether you suffer from osteoporosis, urinary tract problems, diabetes, or a condition that affects your spine, have a history of heart attacks or strokes, are at high risk for coronary heart disease (such as having high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking cigarettes, or being overweight), or are experiencing bleeding issues that your doctor hasn't examined.

Zoladex can reduce calcium levels in the bones, which could increase the risk of developing osteoporosis. This risk could be higher when you consume alcohol regularly, smoke, have a history of osteoporosis in your family, or are taking certain drugs like seizure medication or steroids. Consult your doctor about the risk you face of losing a bone.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any serious side effects when taking Zoladex, like severe numbness, sensations of tingling in your feet, legs, or muscles, issues in coordination or balance, loss of bladder or bowel function,  a lower frequency of urination than normal, burning or pain after you urinate, blood in your stool or urine, or easy bruising. Also, you may experience increased thirst or urination. You may also notice a fruity breath odor, difficulty breathing, sudden numbness or weakness, severe headaches, blurred vision, difficulty with speech, or chest pain spreading to your shoulder or arm.

Similar or related drugs

Estradiol, tamoxifen, testosterone, tranexamic acid, premarin, norethindrone, and estrace

Before you take this drug

It is not recommended to treat with Zoladex implants if you're allergic to goserelin or similar hormone medicines like histrelin, leuprolide, or nafarelin. Ganirelix.

This medication can cause harm to the unborn child; however, goserelin can be used by pregnant women suffering from an advanced form of breast cancer. If you're not receiving treatment for advanced breast cancer, it is not recommended to use Zoladex while pregnant. You may need to undergo a pregnancy test before beginning this treatment.

If you're not experiencing menopausal symptoms, it is recommended to make use of a non hormonal method that controls birth (condom diaphragm, diaphragm, cervical cap, or contraceptive sponge) to avoid pregnancy while using the Zoladex implant.

Use birth control for a minimum of 12 weeks following the time of the implant's removal. Even though the Zoladex implant is able to end the menstrual cycle and ovulation, it is still possible to become pregnant.

To ensure that Zoladex is appropriate for you, ask your doctor if you've ever experienced:

• Diabetes;
• Heart-related problems, heart attacks, strokes, or heart problems;
• Bone cancer;
• Long QT syndrome (in either you or a member of your family);
• Low bone mineral density (osteoporosis) low bone mineral density (osteoporosis)
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding that hasn't been examined by a doctor.

Goserelin may lower bone mineral density, increasing the likelihood of developing osteoporosis. The risk is higher when you regularly drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, have an ancestor with osteoporosis, or use specific medications, such as seizure medication or steroids. Discuss with your physician your specific risk.It is not recommended to breastfeed while your implant has been placed.

How to take Zoladex?

Zoladex is available as small implants that are inserted via a needle in the stomach's skin each 28-day period. The implant is administered at a doctor's clinic or office.

Your schedule of dosing may differ if you are taking chemotherapy as well. Follow the directions of your physician. It is essential to get your Zoladex injections on the same day each month.It is unlikely that you will feel the implant beneath the skin. It is not likely to cause discomfort or pain. Implants will dissolve within the body with time.

As your hormone levels are changing, it is possible that you will notice the onset of new or more serious symptoms of your illness during the initial months of your treatment. Inform your doctor when your symptoms don't improve after a few weeks.If you're a menopausal woman, you must cease menstrual bleeding as long as the Zoladex implant remains in place. Consult your doctor if you have continued to experience regular menstrual cycles. Missing a dose could cause bleeding that has not stopped. When you stop taking Zoladex, it is recommended that you start having regular menstrual cycles after 12 weeks.

The blood sugar level of your patient may require a check when you are using Zoladex, even if you're not diabetic.Goserelin may cause abnormal results when testing for certain medical conditions. Inform any physician who treats you that you're taking Zoladex.

Details on dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Prostate Cancer:

In the treatment of palliative prostate cancer with an advanced stage:
3.6 milligrams or 10.8 mg subcutaneously through the upper abdominal wall, once
The 3.6 mg dose may be repeated once every 28 days.
The 10.8 mg dose may be repeated once every 12 weeks.
It is intended for long-term use, as long as it is not clinically unsuitable.
Prostate cancer, Stage B2 to Stage C (in combination with an antiandrogen or radiotherapy, start 8 weeks before radiotherapy) Men subq:
Combination of a 28-day/12-week implant 3.6 mg implant and followed for just 28 days with a 10.8 mg implant
OR
28-day implant (alternate dose): 3.6 mg; repeated every 28 days for four doses (2 depots before and 2 doses during radiotherapy).
Uses:
In combination with flutamide to aid in the treatment of locally restricted stage t2b–T4 (Stage B2-C) cancer in the prostate. The treatment should begin eight weeks before the start of radiation treatment and continue throughout the course of radiation.
To treat palliative prostate cancer that is advanced.

Usual Adult Dose for Endometriosis:

3.6 mg subcutaneously into the abdominal wall. Repeat the procedure once every 28 days.
The suggested duration of therapy is 6 months.
Use: To manage the symptoms of endometriosis. This may include pain relief and reducing endometriotic lesions.

Usual Adult Dose for Breast Cancer—Palliative:

In the palliative treatment for aggressive breast cancer, 3.6 mg was subcutaneously injected into the upper abdominal wall and repeated every 28 days.
It is intended for long-term use unless it is clinically ineffective.
Use: As a palliative treatment for advanced breast cancer in premenopausal or postmenopausal women.

Usual Adult Dose for Bleeding:

One or two of the two 3.6 mg depot subcutaneous injections (with each depot administered four weeks apart) If one depot has been administered, the surgery must be carried out after 4 weeks. If two depots have been administered, the surgery should be done between 2 and 4 weeks after the administration of the second depot.
Use: As an agent to thin the endometrial lining prior to the ablation of the endometrium for abnormal uterine bleeding.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor for advice in the event that you don't make an appointment to get the Zoladex implant.

What happens if I overdose?

Because the Zoladex implant has only a certain amount of medicine, you aren't likely to experience an overdose.

Avoid this

Do not drink alcohol. It increases the chances of losing a bone when you're receiving treatment with Zoladex.

Smoking cigarettes can increase the risk of bone loss, stroke, heart disease, and other problems.

Side effects of Zoladex

Contact a medical professional immediately. If you are experiencing symptoms of an allergy reaction to Zoladex, such as hives, breathing problems, and swelling of your lips, face, or tongue,

If you begin treatment with Zoladex, the tumor symptoms could become more severe for a brief period of time. The growth of a prostate tumor can cause pressure on your spine or urinary tract. Contact your doctor promptly if you experience symptoms like back pain, difficult or painful urine, loss of motion anywhere on your body, or a loss of bladder or bowel control.

See your doctor right away for:

• Swelling, pain, bruising, bleeding, redness, or bleeding at the site where implant injections were made.
• Dizziness difficulty breathing, feeling lightheaded (like you're about to faint);
• High blood sugar, increasing thirst, a higher rate of urination, dry mouth, fruity breath smell;
• High levels of calcium: fatigue, confusion, nausea, vomiting, constipation, nausea, excessive thirst or weight loss, urination;
• Heart attack signs heart attack symptoms: chest pain, pressure, pain that is spreading into your shoulder or jaw, nausea, sweating, or vomiting;
• Indications of blood clots such as sudden weakness or numbness on either side, chest pains, and vision problems. Speech, swelling, or pain within one leg

Common Zoladex side effects can include:

• Hot flashes, sweating, hot flashes;
• Painful urination;
• Mood swings, an increase and decrease in desire for sexual activities;
• Modifications in sexual activity, less prontosex than normal;
• Headache;
• Swelling of your feet or hands
• Dryness of the vagina, itching, or discharge
• The size of breasts changes and
• Acne, mild skin eruptions, and itching.

This isn't a complete list of possible side effects, and others could happen. Contact your physician for advice regarding medical adverse effects. You can report symptoms to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Interaction with other drugs

Goserelin could cause serious heart issues. The risk is higher if you take various other medications to treat asthma, infections, and heart conditions, as well as high blood pressure, mental illness, depression, malaria, cancer, or HIV.

Inform your doctor about any other medications, particularly blood thinners (warfarin, coumadin, and Jantoven).

Other medications may be incompatible with goserelin, such as medications that are prescribed and available over the counter, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your physician about your current medications and any medications you begin or stop taking.