Zoladex is a synthetic synthetic gonadotropin releasing hormone. In the article, we consider a brief instruction on the use of the tool. Reviews on Zoladex will also be presented.
Release form and composition
The form of release of the drug is capsules for introducing a prolonged effect under the skin, which look like pieces of a cylindrical shape of a polymer solid material, almost free or free of noticeable inclusions, cream or white. They are located in syringe applicators equipped with a protection mechanism. There is one syringe in the laminated aluminum envelope, one envelope in the pack.
The active ingredient is goserelin in acetate form. One capsule contains either 3.6 or 10.8 milligrams. Excipients in a capsule with an amount of 3.6 milligrams: lactic and glycolic acid copolymer (fifty to fifty), acetic glacial acid. Additional capsule ingredients of 10.8 milligrams: lactic and glycolic acids, low molecular weight and high molecular weight copolymer (95: 5).
According to reviews, Zoladex cancer is quite effective.
When is it used?
Capsules containing both 10.8 and 3.6 milligrams are used for:
- Uterine fibroma.
- Prostate cancer.
- Endometriosis.
Capsules containing 3.6 milligrams are used for:
- In vitro fertilization (with the goal of desensitization of the pituitary gland).
- With breast cancer. Reviews about "Zoladex" are available in large numbers.
- Planned endometrial surgery (to thin it).
Contraindications
As absolute contraindications are:
- childhood;
- the period of gestation and breastfeeding;
high sensitivity to the product or other analogues of an individual nature. Feedback on the use of Zoladex is mostly positive.
The drug is prescribed with caution in the treatment of men at risk of compression of the spinal cord or ureteral obstruction during in vitro fertilization in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Dosage and route of administration
Capsules containing 3.6 milligrams are applied under the skin in the anterior abdominal wall, one at a time, every 28 days. With malignant neoplasms, the drug is used for a long time. With gynecological pathologies of a malignant nature, treatment continues until six months. This is indicated by instructions for use with Zoladex. There are no reviews on the effectiveness and safety of longer therapy.
To thin the endometrium, if surgery is planned, the drug must be administered twice with an interval of four weeks. Uterine ablation is performed approximately in the first two weeks after taking the second dose. During IVF, Zoladex is used to desensitize the pituitary gland, which is determined by the degree of estradiol in the blood serum. Most often, its required concentration, corresponding to that in the early follicular phase of a particular cycle (approximately 150 pmol / l), is achieved between the seventh and twenty first days. When desensitization occurs, superovulation is stimulated by gonadotropin. Desensitization of the pituitary gland, which is caused by Zoladex, may become more stable, which may increase the patient's need for gonadotropin. Its introduction stops at the appropriate stage of follicle development, then human chorionic gonadotropin is used to induce ovulation. Zoladex capsules of 10.8 mg are administered under the skin into the anterior wall of the peritoneum: for women - every 12 weeks, for men - every three months.
Side effects
According to reviews of Zoladex, the side effects of its use are as follows:
- from the immune system: rarely - hypersensitive reactions; even less commonly, anaphylactic reactions;
- metabolic disorders: often - a decrease in glucose tolerance in men, more rarely - female hypercalcemia;
- endocrine system: in very rare cases - an outpouring of blood into the pituitary gland;
- heart and blood vessels: often - hot flashes; quite often - myocardial infarction and heart failure (in men), hypotension or hypertension;
- psyche and nervous system: very often - decreased libido; in frequent cases - headache and depression (in women), in men - compression of the spinal cord, paresthesia, low mood, in very rare situations - psychotic disorders;
- musculoskeletal system: often there are bone pain (typical for men), in women - arthralgia (in men it is rare);
- Genitourinary system: in very frequent cases - an increase in the mammary glands, as well as dry vaginal mucous membrane in women, in men - erectile dysfunction, as well as frequent cases of gynecomastia, more rarely - soreness in the mammary glands and obstruction of the ureters; in women occasionally - ovarian cyst , ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome with the simultaneous appointment of Zoladex and gonadotropins; with unknown frequency - vaginal bleeding;
- skin and fiber under the skin: in very frequent cases - increased sweating; quite often in women - alopecia, rash; with an unknown frequency in men, alopecia is also;
- neoplasms: quite rarely - the pituitary gland tumor; with unknown frequency - degeneration of fibromatous nodes with uterine fibroma;
- others: high frequency - reactions in women in the field of capsule administration; often - an increase in the symptoms of the disease at the beginning of treatment of patients with breast cancer, in men - reactions in the area of administration of the drug;
- laboratory tests: body weight often increases, bone mineral density decreases.
Reviews on "Zoladex" consider below. special instructions
It must be remembered that at the beginning of therapy, the number of exacerbations of the pathology increases due to an increase in the level of testosterone in the blood serum, which increases the likelihood of urinary tract obstruction, as well as metastases - compression of the spinal cord. Systematic monitoring of the general condition is required during the first month of treatment, including the determination of the concentration of testosterone in the blood serum, the activity of acid phosphatase and antigen of the prostate gland.
In women, the use of LHRF agonists can cause bone demineralization. After discontinuation of treatment, progressive regeneration of bone density can be observed. During therapy, the tone of the uterine neck increases, there may be difficulties during the expansion of the uterine neck.
Patients of reproductive age should be excluded before starting a possible pregnancy. When using the drug, non-hormonal contraceptive methods should be used until the menstruation resumes.
This is confirmed by the instructions for use. According to reviews, the price of Zoladex is acceptable.
Price
The cost of this drug, depending on the dosage, is from 5500 to 8500 rubles. It depends on the region and the pharmacy network.
Analogs
The product has such analogues as: Decapeptyl Depot, Leuprorelin, Dekeptil, Lucrin, Lupride Depot, Sandoz, Diferelin, Eligard.
Reviews about Zoladex
There are reports of patients about the frequent appearance of side effects. Reviews say that quite regularly Zoladex becomes a cause of headaches, sleep disturbances and more frequent menstruation. However, the drug is quite effective, which is confirmed by its positive characteristics.
The article was reviewed to "Zoladex" instructions, price, reviews about the drug. We hope the information provided was helpful.