Zoladex Injection

• Treat breast cancer.
• Treat a condition called ‘endometriosis’.
• Treat benign growths in the womb called ‘uterine fibroids’.
• Make the lining of the womb thinner before you have an operation on your womb.
• Help treat infertility (together with other medicines). It helps to control the release of eggs from the ovaries.

How does it work?

In men it works by reducing the amount of ‘testosterone’ (a hormone) that is produced by your body.

In women, Zoladex works by reducing the amount of ‘oestrogen’ (a hormone) that is produced by your body.

When and how do I take it?

The Zoladex 3.6 mg Implant will be injected under the skin on your stomach every four weeks (28 days). Or if you are getting the Zoladex LA 10.8mg implant, it will be injected every 12 weeks.

This will be done by your doctor or nurse.

• It is important that you keep having Zoladex treatment, even if you are feeling well.
• Keep having this treatment until your doctor decides that it is time for you to stop.

Your next appointment

• You should be given a Zoladex injection every 28 days or 84 days depending on product (see above).
• Always remind the doctor or nurse to set up an appointment for your next injection.
• If you are given an appointment for your next injection which is earlier or later than 28/84 days from your last injection, tell your doctor or nurse.
• If it has been more than 28/84 days since your last injection, contact your doctor or nurse so that you can receive your injection as soon as possible.

What’s the dose?

One injection every 28 days for Zoladex 3.6mg and one injection every 12 weeks for zoladex 10.8mg.

Could it interact with other tablets?

• Please tell your doctor or nurse if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines.
• This includes medicines that you buy without a prescription and herbal medicines.
• Herbal supplements should be used with caution and only after informing your doctor first.

What are the possible risks or side-effects?

Like all medicines, Zoladex can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

The following side effects can happen in men or women:

Allergic reactions: These are rare. The symptoms can include sudden onset of:

• Rash, itching or hives on the skin.
• Swelling of the face, lips or tongue or other parts of the body.
• Shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing.

If this happens to you, see a doctor straight away.

Other possible side effects:

• Hot flushes and sweating.
• A reduced sex drive.
• Thinning of your bones.
• Tingling in your fingers or toes.
• Skin rashes.
• Pain in the joints.
• Changes in blood pressure.
• Mild bruising and redness where Zoladex is injected.
• If you have a tumour in your pituitary gland, Zoladex may make the tumour bleed or collapse. This is very rare. If it does happen, it can cause severe headaches, feeling or being sick, loss of eyesight and becoming unconscious.

Information for men: The following side effects can happen in men:

• Pain in your lower back or problems passing urine. If this happens, talk to your doctor.
• Bone pain at the beginning of treatment. If this happens, talk to your doctor.
• Swelling and tenderness of your breasts.
• Increased levels of sugar in your blood.

Information for women: The following side effects can happen in women:

• Bleeding from the vagina. This is most likely to happen in the first month after starting Zoladex and should stop on its own. However, if it continues or you are uncomfortable, talk to your doctor.
• Headaches.
• Changes in your mood (including depression).
• Dryness of the vagina.
• A change in breast size.
• Small cysts (swellings) on the ovaries which can cause pain. These usually disappear without treatment.
• Some women enter the menopause early during treatment with Zoladex, and their periods do not return when Zoladex treatment is stopped.

When Zoladex is used to treat breast cancer, the following can happen:

• Worsening of the symptoms of your breast cancer at the beginning of treatment. This can include an increase in pain or an increase in the size of the affected tissue.
• These effects do not usually last long and they usually go away as treatment with Zoladex is continued. However, if the symptoms continue or you are uncomfortable, talk to your doctor.
• Changes in the amount of calcium in your blood. The signs may include feeling very sick, being sick a lot or being very thirsty. If this happens to you, talk to your doctor as he or she may need to do blood tests.

When Zoladex is used to treat uterine fibroids, the following can happen:

• A slight increase in the symptoms of the uterine fibroids, such as pain. This does not usually last long and usually goes away as treatment with Zoladex is continued. However, if the symptoms continue or you are uncomfortable, talk to your doctor.

When Zoladex is used to treat infertility with another medicine called gonadotrophin, the following can happen:

• It can have too much of an effect on your ovaries. You may notice stomach pain, swelling of your stomach, and feeling or being sick. If this happens, tell your doctor straight away.

Do not be concerned by this list of possible side effects. You may not get any of them. If any of the side effects get serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed, please tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Can I drink alcohol while taking it?

• There are no known interactions between alcohol and Zoladex.
• Always ask your doctor/pharmacist however as this may depend on what other tablets you are taking.

What if I’m pregnant/breastfeeding?

Zoladex should not be used in pregnancy and is not recommended while breast feeding.

If you have any more questions please ask your Pharmacist.

Remember to keep all medicines out of reach of children
Please Note: We have made every effort to ensure that the content of this information sheet is correct at time of publish, but remember that information about drugs may change. This sheet does not list all the uses and side-effects associated with this drug. For full details please see the drug information leaflet which comes with your medicine. Your doctor will assess your medical circumstances and draw your attention to any information or side-effects which may be relevant in your particular case.

References:

http://patient.info/medicine/goserelin-implant-zoladex

http://www.drugs.com/zoladex.html

http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/Zoladex.aspx

https://www.zoladex.com/home.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goserelin

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancers-in-general/treatment/cancer-drugs/goserelin-for-breast-cancer