Goserelin (Systemic)
Brand Names : Zoladex, Zoladex 3-Month, Zoladex LA
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will
do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For goserelin, the following
should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to goserelin, buserelin, gonadorelin, histrelin, leuprolide,
or nafarelin.
Fertility - During use of goserelin, and usually for a short time after discontinuing
it, the medicine decreases fertility in men by reducing sperm counts and in
many women by suppressing egg development. Be sure you have discussed this
with your doctor before receiving the medicine.
Pregnancy - Goserelin is not recommended for use during pregnancy.
This medicine may cause birth defects if taken by a woman during pregnancy
or may cause a miscarriage to occur. Use of a nonhormonal
contraceptive is recommended for women who are taking goserelin. Although
the chance of becoming pregnant is decreased while you are taking this medicine,
a pregnancy can still occur. Tell your doctor immediately if you think you
have become pregnant
.
Breast-feeding - It is not known whether goserelin passes into breast
milk. However, use of goserelin is not recommended during breast-feeding because
it may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies.
Children - Studies of this medicine have been done only in adult
patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of goserelin
in children younger than 18 years of age with use in other age groups. Endometriosis
is not likely to occur before puberty.
Older adults - Many medicines have not been tested in older people.
Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they
do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing
use of goserelin in the elderly to use in other age groups, it has been used
mostly in elderly patients and is not expected to cause different side effects
or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two medicines may be used together even if
an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change
the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your doctor and pharmacist
if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter
[OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of goserelin. Make sure you tell your doctor if
you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Changes in vaginal bleeding from an unknown cause - Gonadorelin
may delay diagnosis or worsen condition. The reason for the bleeding should
be determined before goserelin is used
-
Conditions that increase the chances of developing thinning bones
or
-
Osteoporosis (brittle bones), history of, or family history of - It
is important that your doctor know if you already have an increased risk of
osteoporosis. Some things that can increase your risk for having osteoporosis
include cigarette smoking, alcohol abuse, and a family history of osteoporosis
or easily broken bones. Some medicines, such as corticosteroids (cortisone-like
medicines) or anticonvulsants (seizure medicine), can also cause thinning
of the bones when used for a long time
-
Nerve problems caused by bone lesions in the spine (in treatment
of cancer of the prostate) or
-
Problems in passing urine (in treatment of cancer of the prostate) - Conditions
may get worse for a short time after goserelin treatment is started
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