Zoladex: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Use

What is zoladex used for?

Zoladex is a brand of medicine in the form of an injection liquid made from goserelin as the main ingredient. Goserelin is known as a synthetic or artificial hormone that resembles a natural hormone in the body.

This drug is used for luteinizing hormone (LH) hormone therapy. This drug works by stopping the release of LH from the pituitary gland. When used in women, this drug will cause the ovaries to stop producing the hormone estrogen.

Therefore, this drug is included in the list of breast or uterine cancer treatments. Women who experience both cancers generally have an excess of the hormone estrogen.

Zoladex can also be used to thin the uterine wall for surgery for uterine problems. For example, when there is bleeding in the uterus.

Meanwhile, this drug is also useful for controlling testosterone levels in men who have prostate cancer.

This medication is usually given by a doctor or other medical professional, so you cannot buy it over the counter at a pharmacy.

How to use zoladex?

There are a number of things you should do while using this medicine. This includes:

• Read the directions for use for the patient before using the drug. Even though this drug is given by a medical expert, you still have to understand the procedure for using it.
• This drug is given by injection into the body through the surface of the skin. Usually, this drug is given every month or three months.
• This drug is injected into the upper part of the stomach. Every month, you have to go to the doctor's clinic or hospital to be given this medicine.
• The dose given to you is usually determined by your doctor based on your health condition. The timing of drug administration is also determined by the doctor.
• In women, while using this medicine you will stop having periods while under the influence of this medicine. Tell your doctor if you are still having your period. Only after stopping, you will start having periods after 12 weeks have passed.
• Your blood sugar level should be checked regularly, even if you don't have diabetes.
• Using zoladex can lead to bizarre and confusing health check results. Make sure your doctor knows that you are under zoladex.

How to store zoladex?

As with other medicines, zoladex also has drug storage rules. Although you probably will not store this medicine in your home, you should understand how to store the medicine properly.

• This medication is best stored at room temperature.
• Do not store them in the bathroom or other humid places.
• Do not also store them in the freezer until frozen.
• Keep this medication out of reach of children and pets.
• Keep this medication away from exposure to sunlight or direct light.

If you are no longer using this medication, it should be discarded. However, do not mix this medicine with regular household waste. Do not also flush this medication into the toilet or other drains.

Even though there is only a small chance for you to dispose of this drug waste, you must know the rules and proper disposal procedures. If you don't know, ask your pharmacist or an officer from your local waste disposal agency.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of zoladex for adults?

Adult dosage for prostate cancer

• 3.6 milligram (mg) or 10.8 mg injected into the abdominal wall once.
• A dose of 3.6 mg is taken every 28 days.
• A dose of 10.8 mg is taken every 12 weeks.

Adult dosage for endometriosis

• 3.6 mg injected into the abdominal wall once.
• This dose can be done every 28 days.

Adult dosage for breast cancer

• 3.6 mg injected into the abdominal wall once.
• This dose can be done every 28 days.

Adult dose for bleeding (to thin the uterine wall)

• One or two times the dose of 3.6 mg injected into the body. The first and second doses should be given a 4 week interval.
• When the first dose is given, uterine surgery should be performed within 4 weeks. Meanwhile, after the second dose was given, uterine surgery was performed within 2-4 weeks after the dose was administered.

What is the dosage of zoladex for children?

The dose of zoladex has not been determined for children. If you want to give this medicine to a child, ask the doctor first what the benefits and risks of its use are for the child.

In what dosage is zoladex available?

Zoladex is available as an injection liquid. The dosage available is 3.6 mg / depot.

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of using zoladex?

The use of zoladex can also cause various side effects. These side effects range from frequent to rare, but there are some people who experience them.

Side effects that often occur after using zoladex are:

• Fast or irregular heartbeat

These side effects tend to occur more frequently than other side effects. Meanwhile, there are also mild side effects that are less common, such as:

• Headache
• Depression
• Sleepy
• Skin rash
• Bone pain during the initial use of the drug
• Numbness in the feet and hands
• Chest tightness
• Difficulty breathing
• Fainting
• High blood pressure that occurs suddenly

In women, this side effect is possible although it is rare. Among them:

• Panic and anxiety
• The voice became louder
• Hair growth in the body area becomes faster and more abundant
• Depression
• Mood swings

While in men, side effects that may occur are:

• Pain in the chest area
• Pain in the groin or thigh

If you experience any of the symptoms of the side effects mentioned above, please contact your doctor immediately and seek medical care.

Warnings & Precautions

What to know before using zoladex?

Before you decide to use zoladex, there are a few things you should know. Among them:

• Do not use this medication if you have an allergy to drugs related to hormones, such as leuprolide (Lupron, Eligard, Viadur) nafarelin (Synarel), or ganirelix (Antagon).
• If you are not sure whether this drug is safe for you to use, tell your doctor first if you have certain health conditions, such as diabetes, liver problems, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, or are overweight.
• If you intend to have sexual intercourse while under the influence of this medicine, do not forget to use contraceptives such as condoms. Use it every time you have sex for up to 12 weeks after you stop using this medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant suddenly while using this medicine, tell your doctor.
• While using this medicine, avoid smoking as it can increase the risk of bone loss, stroke and heart disease.
• This medicine can pass through the urine, stool, and vomit. If you are taking this medication, make sure the person treating you uses gloves when cleaning your stool.
• While you are undergoing hormonal adjustment, there may be some new body conditions appearing or there may be a condition that has been around for a long time but got worse at the beginning of hormone therapy.

Is zoladex safe for pregnant and lactating women?

If you are pregnant and breastfeeding, do not use zoladex. The reason is, zoladex can have a negative impact on the fetus, so that at birth it is likely that the baby will be born with defects. This possibility is very likely to occur in babies whose mothers take zoladex while they are pregnant.

In addition, this drug can also be released through breast milk (ASI) and is accidentally consumed by a breastfeeding baby. To avoid bad possibilities, ask your doctor first about the benefits and risks of using this drug to your doctor before using it while breastfeeding.

Interaction

What medicines can interact with zoladex?

Zoladex can also interact with several types of drugs. The interactions that occur can be both good and bad. This occurs because drug interactions may be the best type of treatment. However, it could be that the interactions that occur increase the risk of side effects and change the way the drug works.

Here are some types of drugs that quite often interact with zoladex, including:

• amlodipine
• anastrozole
• Arimidex (anastrozole)
• bicalutamide
• Casodex (biculatamide)
• exemestane
• Faslodex (fulvestrant)
• gabapentin
• ibuprofen
• lisinopril
• Lupron (leuprolide)
• metformin
• omeprazole
• tamoxifen
• tramadol
• venlafaxine

Not all interactions that can occur with zoladex are listed in this article. To find out whether the drugs you are using can interact with zoladex or not, keep a record of all the drugs you have used or are currently using.

Tell your doctor so he can help you adjust the dosage of the medicines you use. Do not start, stop, or increase your dose without your doctor knowing.

What foods and alcohol can interact with zoladex?

Certain medications should not be consumed at mealtimes or when eating certain types of food because interactions may occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco-derived products with certain drugs can also cause interactions.

This drug should not be taken with alcohol because it can increase the risk of osteoporosis. Discuss with your health care professional the use of drugs with food, alcohol, or products derived from tobacco.

What health conditions can interact with zoladex?

As with food and medicines, any health conditions you have can interact with zoladex. The interactions that occur may increase the risk of side effects, change how the medication works, or make the health condition worse.

The following health conditions may interact with zoladex, such as:

• Hyperglycemia, where the body experiences excess blood sugar so that the amount is more than normal.
• Bones experience loss or lack of mineral substances
• Cardiovascular disease
• Heart disease, such as the QTc Interval, which is a heart disease that occurs when the heart's electrical system is not working properly.

Tell the doctor all the health conditions you have so that the doctor can adjust the dosage of the drug to the health condition you have.

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

Given that this drug is administered by a medical professional, it is very unlikely that you will overdose on it. However, if you think you are experiencing symptoms of an overdose, contact your doctor immediately.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you accidentally miss a medication appointment with your doctor, contact your doctor immediately to make a new appointment.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.