• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info

What is this medicine?
GOSERELIN (GOE se rel in) is similar to a hormone found in the body. It lowers the amount of sex hormones that the body makes. Men will have lower testosterone levels and women will have lower estrogen levels while taking this medicine. In men, this medicine is used to treat prostate cancer; the injection is either given once per month or once every 12 weeks. A once per month injection (only) is used to treat women with endometriosis, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, or advanced breast cancer.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 09/2009. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit www.drugstore.com. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.

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What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• bone pain
• breathing problems
• changes in vision
• chest pain
• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
• fever, chills
• pain, swelling, warmth in the leg
• pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet
• swelling of the ankles, feet, hands
• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
• unusually high or low blood pressure
• unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• change in sex drive or performance
• changes in breast size in both males and females
• changes in emotions or moods
• headache
• hot flashes
• irritation at site where injected
• loss of appetite
• skin problems like acne, dry skin
• vaginal dryness

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is for injection under the skin. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting. Men receive this injection once every 4 weeks or once every 12 weeks. Women will only receive the once every 4 weeks injection.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

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What if I miss a dose?
It is important not to miss your dose. Call your doctor or health care professional if you are unable to keep an appointment.

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What may interact with this medicine?

• female hormones like estrogen
• herbal or dietary supplements like black cohosh, chasteberry, or DHEA
• male hormones like testosterone
• prasterone

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to goserelin or any ingredient in the formulation, other GnRH agonists, or GnRH.
• Known or suspected pregnancy or lactation.
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding of unknown etiology.
• The implant containing 10.8 mg of goserelin should not be used in women; insufficient data available to determine whether this preparation is associated with reliable suppression of serum estradiol.

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What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Your symptoms may appear to get worse during the first weeks of this therapy. Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse after this time.

Your bones may get weaker if you take this medicine for a long time. If you smoke or frequently drink alcohol you may increase your risk of bone loss. A family history of osteoporosis, chronic use of drugs for seizures (convulsions), or corticosteroids can also increase your risk of bone loss. Talk to your doctor about how to keep your bones strong.

This medicine should stop regular monthly menstration in women. Tell your doctor if you continue to menstrate.

Women should not become pregnant while taking this medicine or for 12 weeks after stopping this medicine. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine.

Men should inform their doctors if they wish to father a child. This medicine may lower sperm counts. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information.

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What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions (some only apply to women):

• kidney disease
• osteoporosis or low bone density
• problems passing urine
• spinal cord injury
• an unusual or allergic reaction to goserelin, hormone therapy, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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