Sign inBefore having goserelin
Before having goserelin make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:
- If you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
- If you have bone disease.
- If you have any vaginal bleeding for which you do not know the cause (that is, other than your menstrual period).
- If you have polycystic ovaries.
- If you have diabetes.
- If you are a man and have problems passing urine or problems with your back.
- If you have depression.
- If you have high blood pressure.
- If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines.
- If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.
How to use goserelin
- Before beginning treatment, ask to read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack.
- Goserelin is usually administered by a doctor or a nurse just underneath the skin on your stomach. This may be repeated at monthly or three monthly intervals depending on the reason for the treatment and the type of implant you are receiving.
- Keep your regular appointments with your doctor so your doses are not missed or delayed.
Getting the most from your treatment
- If you are female. Goserelin treatment should not be given if you are pregnant. While you are receiving goserelin, use a barrier method of contraception such as condoms or diaphragm (cap). Do not use oral contraceptives ('the pill'). If you are using goserelin as a fertilisation treatment, you will already have undergone tests to show that you are not pregnant.
- If you are male. You may notice your symptoms become worse when you first start treatment with goserelin and your doctor may give you some tablets to take during the first few weeks to help reduce this. Your symptoms should start to improve after a couple of weeks.
- Goserelin may affect your blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, test your urine or blood regularly and report any extreme changes to your doctor.
Can goserelin cause problems?
Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.
| Very common and common side-effects | What can I do if I experience this |
| Hot flushes, sweating (these are very common side-effects which means that they can affect more than 10% of people using goserelin) | Take care not to become over-heated |
| Headache (this is a common side-effect which means that it can affect 1-10% of people using goserelin) | Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable painkiller. If the headaches continue, let your doctor know |
| Reduced sex drive, erectile dysfunction, vaginal dryness, changes in breast size, depressed mood, tingling in the fingers or toes, skin rash, bone pain, reactions at the site of injection and decreased bone density | If any of these become troublesome, speak with your doctor |
If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
How to store goserelin
- Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
- Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
Important information about all medicines
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References
- Manufacturer’s PIL, Zoladex® 3.6mg Implant, AstraZeneca UK Limited, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated May 2010.
- Manufacturer’s PIL, Zoladex® LA 10.8mg, AstraZeneca UK Limited, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated May 2010.
- Manufacturer’s PIL, Novgos® 3.6mg Implant, Genus Pharmaceuticals, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated March 2009.
- British National Formulary; 60th Edition (September 2010) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London.