The choice of a hormonal drug should be based on a careful study of the symptoms of the disease and a careful identification of the risk of side effects.
The drug "Buserelin Depot" compares favorably with others in its high efficiency and low likelihood of undesirable manifestations. It is part of the group of hormonal antitumor agents.
Pharmacological action of the drug
The action of Buserelin consists of antigonadotropic, antiandrogenic, antiestrogenic, antitumor effects. The substances of the drug "Buserelin Depot" are competitively bound to receptors of cells that secrete the gonadotropin releasing factor (they are in the structure of the anterior pituitary gland).
At the first stage of drug administration, there is a short-term increase in the concentration of LH and FSH (gonadotropic hormones) secreted by the pituitary gland, which leads to an increase in the content of sex homons. After 14 to 21 days, the drug blocks gonadotropic function through negative feedback, which leads to a significant decrease in LH and FSH, and, consequently, a decrease in the production of sex hormones. So, in men, the concentration of testosterone decreases, it reaches the level that is established after orchiectomy (drug castration). In women, the effect of the drug "Buserelin Depot" is to reduce the production of estradiode to the level that exists in the post-menopausal period.
The use of the drug "Buserelin Depot"
It is used in the treatment of prostate cancer, in some cases it is used to suppress the synthesis of testosterone in the testes. Also used in the treatment of breast cancer (hormone-dependent disease, which is characterized by high production of estrogen or appears with endometriosis). Other diseases treated by Buserelin Depot: uterine fibroids, endometrial hyperplasia, an IVF program in the treatment of infertility.
Contraindications and special recommendations
Hypersensitivity, orchiectomy, pregnancy, lactation. Take the drug with caution in case of urinary tract pathology, metastases at the level of the vertebra, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and depression. Buserelin Depot and pregnancy are incompatible concepts.
Side effects
The patient may complain of discomfort from the central nervous system in the form of headache, nervousness, insomnia, amnesia, decreased concentration, dizziness, emotional instability, and sometimes depression. There may be tinnitus or pressure on the eyeball, impaired vision or hearing. Often there may be "tides." In the first weeks of treatment, women experience pseudomenstruation, then dryness in the vagina is established, bone demineralization, and a decrease in libido are possible . In men, the disease may worsen in the first 2 to 3 weeks, or gynecomastia, a decrease in potency. The same can be observed: anorexia, dyspeptic disorders. Buserelin Depot and alcohol are incompatible. In patients with hypertension, blood pressure and heart rate may increase. Of allergic reactions there are: itching, urticaria, bronchospasm, anaphylactic shock. Laboratory indicators are changing: dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, increased transaminases and bilirubin, thrombocytopenia and leukopenia.
Principles of the use of the drug
Intramuscular administration: administered immediately after preparation of the suspension.
- with a prostate tumor every 4 weeks, 4.2 mg.
- with endometriosis - is administered within 4 months.
- with uterine fibroids –3 months.
- with infertility - 4.2 mg.
Intranasal administration:
- for the treatment of female diseases described above - the introduction into the nasal cavity of 900 μg / day, (one dose 3 times a day), starting from 1 - 2 days of the menstrual cycle.
- with infertility 600 mcg / day, 1 dose in the nasal cavity 4 times a day. If the blockade of the reproductive system is very pronounced, the dose is reduced by 2 times.
Some notes:
- treatment of prostate cancer is carried out throughout life;
- the introduction of antiandrogenic drugs in 2 weeks. and for 2 weeks. treatment with buserelin, prevents complications that may appear in the first weeks of treatment;
- in the first period of treatment in women, an ovarian cyst may appear;
- pregnancy and contraceptive medication should not be allowed before treatment with buserelin, but the first 2 months should use non-hormonal protection methods;
- the drug has a favorable effect on the treatment of endometriosis with a surgical method, reducing the frequency of relapses.
Interaction with other drugs
Buserelin reduces the effect of hypoglycemic drugs. It can lead to ovarian hyperstimulation if used in conjunction with drugs containing sex hormones.