Find information on thousands of medical conditions and prescription drugs.

Goserelin

Goserelin is an injectable gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH agonist). It stops the production of sex hormones (testosterone and oestrogen) and is used to treat hormone-sensitive cancers of the prostate and breast (in pre-/perimenopausal women) and some benign gynaecological disorders (endometriosis, uterine fibroids and endometrial thinning). In addition, goserelin is used in assisted reproduction. more...

Home
Diseases
Medicines
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
Gabapentin
Gabitril
Galantamine
Gamma-hydroxybutyrate
Ganciclovir
Garamycin
Gaviscon
Gemcitabine
Gemfibrozil
Gemhexal
Gemzar
Generlac
Gentamicin
Geodon
Gleevec
Gliadel
Gliadel Wafer
Glibenclamide
Glimepiride
Glipizide
Glucagon
Glucobay
Glucohexal
Glucophage
Glucosamine
Glucotrol
Glutethimide
Golytely
Gonadorelin
Goserelin
Gramicidin
Gramicidin S
Granisetron
Grifulvin V
Griseofulvin
Guaifenesin
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

It is available as a 1-month depot and a long-acting 3-month depot. Both depots are used for the treatment of prostate cancer, endometriosis and uterine fibroids but only the 1-month depot is approved for breast cancer, endometrial thinning and assisted reproduction.

Goserelin is marketed by AstraZeneca with the brand name Zoladex. It was first launched in 1987 and is currently the second-largest selling LHRHa in the world. It is currently available in more than one hundred markets.

Side effects

Goserelin causes an increase in bone pain and symptoms of prostatic cancer during the first few weeks of treatment. As your body adjusts to the medication, the symptoms will disappear. Goserelin may cause hot flashes, headache, stomach upset, difficulty urinating, weight gain, swelling and tenderness of breasts, decreased erections, reduced sexual desire.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]


Goserelin acetate
From Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer, by Ed.M. Paul A. Johnson

Definition

Goserelin acetate is a synthetic (man-made) hormone that acts similarly to the naturally occurring gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). It is available in the United States under the tradename Zoladex.

Purpose

Goserelin acetate is used primarily to counter the symptoms of late-stage prostate cancer in men or is offered as an alternative to treat prostate cancer when surgery to remove the testes or estrogen therapy is not an option or is unacceptable for the patient. Goserelin is also given as combination therapy with the drug flutamide to manage prostate cancer that is locally confined and not widespread. It is often used to ease the pain and discomfort of women suffering from endometrosis and to relieve symptoms in women with advanced breast cancer.

Description

Goserelin acetate is a man-made protein that mimics many of the actions of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). In men, this results in decreased blood levels of the male hormone testosterone. In women, it decreases blood levels of the female hormone estrogen.

Recommended dosage

Goserelin acetate is given in the form of an implant containing 3.6 mg of the medication. This implant is placed just under the skin of the upper abdominal wall. The drug lasts for 28 days, after which a new implant has to be placed. Goserelin is also available in a dose of 10.8 mg, in which case the drugs lasts for three months.

Precautions

If a woman becomes pregnant while taking this drug, goserelin acetate may cause birth defects or the loss of the pregnancy. It is not known if goserelin is passed into breast milk; therefore, it is not recommended to breast feed while on this drug.

Goserelin acetate will also interfere with the chemical actions of birth control pills. For this reason, sexually active women who do not wish to become pregnant should use some form of birth control other than birth control pills during treatment with goserelin acetate and for at least 12 weeks after the completion of treatment.

Goserelin acetate will cause sterility in men, at least for the duration of the treatment.

Side effects

In patients of both sexes, common side effects of goserelin acetate include:

  • sweating accompanied by feelings of warmth (hot flashes)

  • a decrease in sex drive

  • depression or other mood changes

  • headache

  • tumor flare, which is exhibited as bone pain (this is due to a temporary initial increase in testosterone/estrogen before its production is finally decreased)

Other common side effects in men include:

  • impotence (erectile dysfunction)

  • sterility

  • breast enlargement

Other common side effects in women include:

  • light, irregular, vaginal bleeding

  • no menstrual period

  • vaginal dryness and/or itching

  • emotional instability

  • depression

  • change in breast size

  • an increase in facial or body hair

  • deepening of the voice

Less common side effects, in patients of either sex, include:

  • nausea and vomiting

  • insomnia

  • weight gain

  • swollen feet or lower legs

  • acne or other skin rashes

  • abdominal pain

  • increased appetite

A doctor should be consulted immediately if the patient experiences any of the above symptoms.

Interactions

There are no known interactions of goserelin acetate with any food or beverage.

Patients taking goserelin acetate should consult their physician before taking any other prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal medication. Patients taking any other hormone or steroid-based medications should not take goserelin acetate without first consulting their physician.

KEY TERMS

Endometrial tissue
The tissue lining the uterus that is sloughed off during a woman's menstrual period.

Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)
A hormone produced in the brain that controls the release of other hormones that are responsible for reproductive function.

Prostate gland
A small gland in the male genitals that contributes to the production of seminal fluid.

Return to Goserelin
Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay