What is Zoladex: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 31, 2020

Zoladex overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Zoladex

Generic Names:

  • Zoladex

Uses:

  • Treats prostate cancer and breast cancer. In women, also used to treat endometriosis and to thin the lining of the uterus before surgery.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antineoplastic Agent

Forms:

  • Injectable

How it’s taken:

  • By injection

What is Zoladex used for?

What form(s) does Zoladex come in

  • Injectable

What are common Zoladex doses?

  • Implant 3.6MG

  • Box 1 Implant

Common Zoladex prescriptions

  • Zoladex
    1 implant box

  • Zoladex
    3.6mg implant

How to take Zoladex

  • Injection routeYou will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

  • Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin near your stomach. This medicine may be given once every 28 days or once every 3 months. Your schedule depends on the reason you are using this medicine.

  • Missed dose: Injection routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

  • Missed dose: Injection routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

  • Injection routeYou will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

  • Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin near your stomach. This medicine may be given once every 28 days or once every 3 months. Your schedule depends on the reason you are using this medicine.

What to do if you miss a dose of Zoladex

Zoladex contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive this medicine if you had an allergic reaction to goserelin or similar medicines, or if you are pregnant.

Zoladex warnings

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Loss of bone densityIncreased risk of diabetes, heart attack, or stroke in menHeart rhythm problems, such as a condition called QT prolongation

  • For women: You will stop having monthly periods during treatment with this medicine. This is not an effective form of birth control. Tell your doctor if you continue to have normal periods while receiving this medicine.

  • Injection routeMedicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • Injection routeIt is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

  • Use a nonhormonal form of birth control (such as condoms, vaginal spermicides, cervical caps, or a diaphragm) to prevent pregnancy while you are receiving this medicine and for at least 12 weeks after treatment.

  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have bone cancer, diabetes, heart or blood vessel problems, heart rhythm problems (such as long QT syndrome), or a family history of osteoporosis. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol or use tobacco. Tell your doctor if you have any unusual vaginal bleeding.

Zoladex interactions

  • Tell your doctor if you use birth control pills, implants, patches, or shots. You may need a second form of birth control while you receive this medicine.

  • Tell your doctor if you are using a blood thinner (such as warfarin).

  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have bone cancer, diabetes, heart or blood vessel problems, heart rhythm problems (such as long QT syndrome), or a family history of osteoporosis. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol or use tobacco. Tell your doctor if you have any unusual vaginal bleeding.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Loss of bone densityIncreased risk of diabetes, heart attack, or stroke in menHeart rhythm problems, such as a condition called QT prolongation

  • For women: You will stop having monthly periods during treatment with this medicine. This is not an effective form of birth control. Tell your doctor if you continue to have normal periods while receiving this medicine.

  • Injection routeMedicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Zoladex side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Abdominal pain or bloating, dizziness, shortness of breath, confusion

  • Change in how much or how often you urinate, bloody or cloudy urine, painful urination

  • Chest pain that may spread, trouble breathing, nausea, unusual sweating, fainting

  • Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat, dizziness, lightheadedness

  • Numbness or weakness on one side of your body, sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking

  • Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Hot flashes, sweating

  • Change in breast size, dryness or itching in your vagina

  • Diarrhea

  • Pain, itching, bleeding, bruising, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the shot was given

  • Headache, mild depression

  • Trouble having sex or loss of interest in sex

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