Goserelin is used to treat cancer of the prostate and breast. It works by reducing the amount of sex hormones that the body produces.
This medicine is also used to treat multiple disorders in women such as endometriosis (abnormal growth of tissues outside the womb) and uterine fibroids (noncancerous tumour growth in the womb). Additionally, it is used to make the lining of the womb thinner before an operation.
Goserelin is also used together with other medicine to treat infertility. It works by helping to control the release of eggs from the ovaries.
Goserelin is to be injected subcutaneously (into the fatty layer under the skin, usually in the abdomen area).
Your doctor or nurse will administer the injection for you.
Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your condition.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Goserelin.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
Alert your doctor if you have an undiagnosed case of vaginal bleeding as Goserelin may not be suitable for you.
Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while being treated with this medicine, alert your doctor immediately. Goserelin may cause harm to your unborn child.
You must use nonhormonal contraception or barrier methods of contraception (e.g. condom, diaphragm) during Goserelin therapy and for 12 weeks after stopping the treatment. You may wish to discuss other reliable methods of birth control with your doctor.
Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with this medicine.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart disease
- electrolyte imbalance
- high blood pressure
- depression
- family history of osteoporosis (thinning and weakening of bones)
- alcohol addiction or heavy drinker
- smoker
- obesity or underweight
- polycystic ovarian syndrome (a disorder characterised by infrequent, irregular or prolonged menstrual periods)
- diabetes
If you are going for certain laboratory tests (e.g. anti-doping, pituitary-gonadotropic and gonadal function tests), inform your doctor or the laboratory personnel that you are being treated with Goserelin.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Pregnancy tests must be done before treatment to know if this medicine is suited for you to use.
- Routine tests (e.g. cholesterol/sugar/electrolyte levels, bone mineral density, ECG) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine.
- Regular monitoring of signs and symptoms of abdominal bleeding, weakness, and difficulty in passing urine may also be needed.
Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
Goserelin may cause any of the following side effects: headache, nausea, stomach pain, rash, excessive sweating, hair loss, dry skin, changes in body hair (women), acne, bone, muscle or joint pain, mood changes, erectile dysfunction, breast enlargement (in men), and vaginal dryness.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- severe bleeding on the injection site
- shortness of breath
- confusion, increased urination, fruity breath odour
- chest pain or pressure, fast or abnormal heartbeat
- difficulty passing urine
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines used to treat epilepsy (fits or seizures)
- anti-inflammatory medicines
- medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. quinidine, amiodarone
- certain antibiotics e.g. moxifloxacin
- medicines used to treat mood disorders
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Goserelin.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.