Zoladex is an antitumor drug of synthetic origin, which is a substance with properties similar to gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Treatment is conducted against hormone-dependent prostate tumors, breast cancer.
Form release, formulation and packaging
The drug is manufactured by the manufacturer in the form of capsules intended for injection under the skin.
In the photo preparation Zoladex 10.8 mg
Capsules are sold together with a syringe equipped with a device with an applicator for administration. The capsule with the device is put in an aluminum bag packed in a pack of cardboard.
Manufacturer
Produces antitumor agent AstraZeneca, United Kingdom, the trade name of the drug is Zoladex.
Indications
Capsules with prolonged action, containing goserelin, are used in the treatment of hormone-dependent tumor malignant, benign formations.
6"> Capsules with goserelin 3, 6 mg
The drug is intended to treat:
- prostate tumor;
- benign uterine formations - endometriosis, fibromas;
- breast cancer.
The drug, in addition to the treatment of cancer, benign tumors, is used for operations that require thinning of the endometrium, as well as in the protocol of in vitro fertilization( IVF).
Capsules with goserelin 10.8 mg
The drug is treated when:
- prostate cancer;
- fibroid uterus;
- endometriosis.
Contraindications
It is forbidden to use:
- for pregnant women, as well as for women breast-feeding children;
- in childhood;
- with individual sensitivity.
Zoladex is prescribed taking into account the possible benefits for the woman and the risk to the fetus for women with IVF in the case of polycystic ovaries.
In men, the drug is used with caution in the risk of obstruction of urine in the ureters.
Mechanism of action
Treatment with Zoladex makes it possible to achieve:
- decrease in the hormone testosterone in men;
- decreases the hormone estradiol in a woman.
The action of the drug is based on the ability of goserelin to reversibly block the synthesis of luteinizing hormone in the pituitary gland.
Goserelin does not accumulate in the tissues. The therapeutic concentration with Zoladex 3.6 mg remains for 28 days, when using Zoladex 10.8 mg is maintained at the required value of 12 weeks.
Elimination time is up to 4 hours, with renal failure, the period is prolonged. Diseases of the liver do not affect the pharmacokinetics of the drug.
Farmakodinamika
At the initial stage of treatment the content of estradiol is temporarily increased, sometimes bleeding from the vagina is noted.
For in vitro fertilization, the drug is used to desensitize the pituitary gland and reduce estradiol to 150 pmol / l, which corresponds to the 7-21 day of the menstrual cycle.
After the first capsule application, the concentration of estradiol decreases for 3 weeks to a level comparable to that of the hormone in menopause. To maintain a low concentration of estradiol, the patient is administered a capsule at an interval of 4 weeks.
Low concentration is necessary to achieve a therapeutic effect in suppressing hormone-dependent neoplasms - breast tumors, uterine fibroids.
The concentration of estradiol after the first application of the agent with 10.8 mg of goserelin is reduced to the level of menopause for 4 weeks. The therapeutic effect with the drug in women is achieved in relation to endometriosis, uterine fibroids.
Pharmacodynamics in men
After a short increase in testosterone, which is found in the first stage of treatment, testosterone concentration gradually decreases.
By the end of week 3, a level corresponding to castration is reached. A reversible decrease in testosterone is required to treat prostate cancer.
To achieve a reduction in the tumor and the disappearance of clinical symptoms, the patient is administered:
- Zoladex, in which 3.6 mg of goserelin is an interval of 28 days.
- Zoladex 10.8 mg - interval - 3 months
Instructions for use
Zoladex is administered using a syringe applicatorin the abdominal wall subcutaneously.
Zoladex 3, 6 mg
The interval of administration of the drug is 3, 6 mg is 28 days. Differences in treatment schemes for tumors consist in the duration of courses.
- Treatment of malignant tumors - a long course.
- Therapy for gynecologic benign diseases lasts up to 6 months.
- Thinning of the endometrium is achieved by two injections after 28 days, ablation is carried out after 14 days.
Zoladex 10, 8 mg
- For men, the capsule is administered at 3-month intervals once.
- . Women are injected at 12 weeks.
Side effects of
. The rare side effects of Zoladex are:
- Development of tumor growths, pituitary tumors;
- Pathology of the central nervous system - hemorrhage in the pituitary gland;
- disease of the immune system - hypersensitivity, anaphylactic shock.
Side effects of the drug manifest themselves more often:
- metabolic disorder - increased risk of developing diabetes, hypercalcemia;
- pathologies of the nervous system - decreased libido, depression, headache, psychotic disorder, in men - compression of the spinal cord;
- diseases of the urinary and reproductive system - men show erectile dysfunction, gynecomastia, obstruction of the ureters, for women - dryness of the vagina, cyst, bleeding;
- pathologies of the cardiovascular system - changes in blood pressure, hot flashes in women, heart attack, heart failure in men;
- skin diseases - sweating, alopecia, rash;
- pain in the joints, bones;
- by reducing bone density, weight gain, skin irritation at the injection site.
Overdose
In case of accidental administration of the drug in a large dosage, there was no deterioration in the patient's condition. There are no data on Zoladex overdose.
Special instructions
- There is no information on the effect of the facility on the ability to drive vehicles.
- When treating a woman, non-hormonal contraceptives should be used.
- Normalization of menstruation after the use of Zoladex may occur with a delay. There are cases of the onset of menopause.
- It is required to constantly monitor blood glucose in men during treatment with the drug because of the risk of developing diabetes.
Compatibility of
Treatment with Zoladex in combination with iron-based medications leads to the cessation of menstruation.
Reviews
Temporary forcible menopause in women, as well as "chemical castration" in the treatment of Zoladex men do not pass without a trace for the body. The use of the drug causes the appearance of disorders from the nervous system, heart, urogenital.
Endometriosis
According to women who underwent Zoladex treatment with endometriosis, there is a danger of an early menopause. But, as confirmed by experience, this phenomenon is reversible. After the restoration of the cycle, women manage to become pregnant.
For breast cancer
The most common side effects in the treatment of this drug are hot flashes, insomnia, irritability, depressive conditions. Most women who undergo treatment regain their menstrual cycle, and side effects disappear soon after the abolition.
Prostate cancer
The drug helps with prostate cancer, but it creates the possibility of developing diabetes, increasing the amount of glucose in the blood. To avoid such a complication, you need to constantly check the amount of glucose in your blood during the treatment period.
Price in Moscow and St. Petersburg
Prices of Zoladex:
- Moscow :
- in capsules including goserelin 10.8 mg - 22897 - 23146 rubles;
- for 3.6 mg - 7873 - 7906 rubles;
- St. Petersburg :
- in capsules with 10.8 mg of goserelin - 22390 - 24970 rubles;
- 3.6 mg - 8280 - 9000 rub.
Analogues of
Instead of Zoladex, you can use Decapeptil, Diferelin, Eligard, Lykrin Depot, Buserelin.
What is better Zoladex or Buserelin, Diferelin and Eligard?
All these drugs are antitumoral, acting similarly to gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Medicines have a similar mechanism of action, efficacy and safety for patients.
Synonyms for
Goserelin.
Release conditions
Zoladex is dispensed on prescription provision.
Storage conditions and expiration date
Zoladex is stored at a temperature not exceeding 25 0C, in a dark place, no longer than 3 years.
How to enter Zoladex: