Goserelin (Subcutaneous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 24, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Zoladex

Available Dosage Forms:

• Implant

Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone Agonist

Uses for goserelin

Goserelin is a hormone similar to the one normally released from the hypothalamus gland in the brain. It is used to treat a number of medical problems. These include:

• Cancer of the prostate in men
• Cancer of the breast in women if it develops before or around the time of menopause
• Endometriosis, a painful condition caused by extra tissue growing inside or outside of the uterus, and
• Thinning of the lining of the uterus before surgery on the uterus.

When given regularly as an implant, goserelin works every day to decrease the amount of estrogen and testosterone in the blood.

Reducing the amount of estrogen in the body is one way of treating endometriosis and cancer of the breast, and can help thin the uterus lining before surgery. Goserelin prevents the growth of tissue associated with endometriosis in adult women during treatment and for up to 6 months after treatment is discontinued.

Reducing the amount of testosterone in the body is one way of treating cancer of the prostate.

Suppressing estrogen can thin the bones or slow their growth. This is a problem for adult women whose bones are no longer growing like the bones of children. This is why goserelin is used only for up to 6 months in adult women treated for endometriosis.

Goserelin is to be given only by or under the supervision of your doctor.

Before using goserelin

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For goserelin, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to goserelin or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of goserelin in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of goserelin in elderly men. However, safety and efficacy have not been established for elderly women.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving goserelin, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below...