Zoladex 3.6 Injection


Product Info

Prescription required Yes
Marketer AstraZeneca
Active Ingredient Goserelin acetate (3.6mg)
Storage Store below 25°C
Chemical ClassGNRH Analogue
Habit FormingNo
Therapeutic ClassHORMONES
Action ClassGNRH agonists/analogue
User Rating4.1
User Reviews747

FAQ

Zoladex 3.6 Injection Reviews

Zoladex 3.6 is used for the treatment of prostate cancer in men and for breast cancer, endometriosis and uterine fibroids in women. In combination with some other medicine, it is used in the treatment of female infertility.

Zoladex 3.6 is given as an injection under the skin by a qualified medical professional.  Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.

Hot flashes are a very common side effect of this medicine. It can also cause sexual dysfunction, decreased libido, and urinary tract disorders. The long-term use of medicine may cause weakened bones and a reduction in bone mineral density. You are advised to take vitamin D and calcium supplements while taking this medicine. Women might experience vaginal bleeding during the initials days of treatment, which will stop on its own. Consult with your doctor, if this bothers you or does not go away.

Before taking this medicine, inform your doctor if you have a history of drinking alcohol and diabetes. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your healthcare team know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy.

How Zoladex 3.6 Injection Works

Zoladex 3.6 is a synthetic hormone. In men, it works by reducing the level of testosterone (male hormone) which causes regression of prostate tumor and improves symptoms. In women, it suppresses the level of estradiol (female hormone) which helps treat advanced breast cancer, endometriosis and uterine fibroids. It also reduces the thickness of the endometrium, which is the uterus lining, prior to surgery.

How to Use Zoladex 3.6 Injection

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

Benefits of Zoladex 3.6 Injection

  • In Female infertility: Zoladex 3.6 is used in combination with other medicines to treat infertility in women. It helps to control the release of eggs from the ovaries. You should use the medicine as prescribed for it to be effective.
  • In Prostate cancer: Prostate gland is a small walnut-sized gland that produces a fluid called seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperms in males. The most common symptom of prostate cancer is difficulty with urination, but sometimes there are no symptoms at all. Zoladex 3.6 decreases or stops the growth of cancer cells by decreasing the amount of testosterone (natural hormone in males) in men. This also relieves difficulty in passing urine and makes it easier for you to urinate.
  • In Breast cancer: Zoladex 3.6 relieves the symptoms of breast cancer such as breast lumps, bloody discharge from nipple or changes in the shape or texture of the breast. It works by altering the production of those hormones in the body that are essential for the growth and spread of breast cancer. It may also interact with other hormones or have a direct effect on cancer to stop its growth.
  • In Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a condition where tissue like the lining of the womb starts to grow in other places. The main symptoms include pain in your lower stomach or back, period pain, pain during and after sex, constipation, diarrhea and feeling sick. It can also make it difficult to get pregnant. Zoladex 3.6 works by preventing the lining of your womb and any endometriosis tissue from growing too quickly. This will help relieve the symptoms you may have. This medicine needs to be taken regularly to be effective and you may need other medicines or procedures to help control endometriosis.
  • In Uterine fibroids: Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths of the uterus that often appear during childbearing years. Zoladex 3.6 helps control the symptoms associated with uterine fibroids such as excessive menstrual bleeding, lower back pain, and also reduces the size of the existing fibroids. It blocks the action of the enzyme responsible for the growth of the broids. As a result, they decrease in size and also stop growing further. Take this medicine as advised by the doctor to get the most benefit.

Uses of Zoladex 3.6 Injection

  • Endometriosis
  • Prostate cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Uterine fibroids
  • Female infertility

Zoladex 3.6 Injection Side Effects

Item form

Safety Tips

Kidney  SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Zoladex 3.6 is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Zoladex 3.6 is recommended.
Pregnancy  UNSAFE
Zoladex 3.6 is highly unsafe to use during pregnancy. Seek your doctor's advice as studies on pregnant women and animals have shown significant harmful effects to the developing baby.
Driving  SAFE
Zoladex 3.6 does not usually affect your ability to drive.
Alcohol  CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Zoladex 3.6. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding  CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Zoladex 3.6 is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Liver  SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Zoladex 3.6 is safe to use in patients with liver disease. No dose adjustment of Zoladex 3.6 is recommended.

Quick Tips

  • It may also be used along with other medicines to treat infertility in women.
  • It is a prefilled syringe that is injected under the skin of the abdomen, every 28 days.
  • Inform your doctor if you start to feel depressed or have disturbing thoughts or feelings during treatment with this medicine.
  • Zoladex 3.6 is used for the treatment of prostate cancer in men and for breast cancer, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids in women.
  • Vaginal bleeding may occur in the first month after starting treatment and usually stops on its own. Inform your doctor if bleeding continues.
  • It may cause a reduction in bone mineral density and weakened bones. Your doctor may prescribe other medicines to reduce bone loss.

References

  1. UpToDate. Goserelin: Drug information.
  2. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
  3. Goserelin acetate implant. Macclesfield, England: AstraZeneca UK Limited; 2009.
  4. OncoLink. Goserelin Acetate.
  5. Goserelin acetate. Luton, Bedfordshire: AstraZeneca UK Limited; 2001 [revised 24 Jan. 2017].

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