Side Effects Of Zoladex 3.6 Mg Injection

Serious Side Effects Of Zoladex 3.6 Mg Injection

• Hot flashes (flushing)
• Dizziness
• Headache (Arrhythmia) or Pounding Heartbeat (Palpitations)
• Increased sweating (Edema)
• Decreased sexual interest/ability
• Trouble sleeping
• Bruising
• Redness, or swelling at the injection site may also occur
• Hair loss may occur
• Decreased sexual interest/ability

Common Side Effects Of Zoladex 3.6 Mg Injection

• Nausea or vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Change in breast size
• Reducing bone strength resulting in frequent fractures
• Diarrhea
• Increased cholesterol (Hypercholesterolemia) and triglycerides
• Anemia
• Hypokalemia
• Upper abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite

Note:   Please refer a doctor immediately in case of any such side effects. Symptoms should not be ignored as it may lead to higher risks

• The side effects of the medicine make it necessary for regular checkups and monitoring by medical advisor.
• It is advised that the Zoladex be administered 1 hour before meal or 2 hours after your meal. Zoladex has adverse reactions to certain types of food resulting in serious side effects such as high blood pressure, muscle weakness, paralysis, and breathing difficulties. The medicine needs to be strictly administered on empty stomach on advisement from the doctor.
• Alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited to patient undergoing administration of Zoladex.

Warning Use Of Zoladex 3.6 Mg Injection

• Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
• It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Zoladex 3.6 Injection. Please consult your doctor.
• Zoladex 3.6 Injection is safe to use in patients with liver disease. No dose adjustment of Zoladex 3.6 Injection is recommended.
• Zoladex 3.6 Injection is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
• Do not donate sperm during administration of the medicine. Refer a doctor before donation.

Q 1.    How to use Zoladex?

• The Zoladex 3.6 mg Implant will be injected under the skin on your stomach every four weeks (28 days). This will be done by your doctor or nurse.
• It is advisable not to change and/or stop your dose without prior discussion/suggestion of your doctor.

Q 2.   What Zoladex 3.6 mg Implant contains?

The active substance is goserelin. Each Zoladex 3.6 mg Implant contains 3.6 mg of goserelin. The other ingredient is lactide/glycolide copolymer which is an inactive substance.

For Males:

• Who are with female partners who are pregnant or so plan should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment. Transfer of medicine through bodily fluids can leave an irreparable damage to the fetus.
• Avoid sperm donation during the treatment. Donation should only be made with prior consultation by the doctor.

For Females:

• Having male counterparts consuming Zoladex planning to be pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during the treatment period.
• Who are breastfeeding should take necessary precautions. The medicine is highly toxic for the baby and has shown significant harmful effects in their development.

Q 3.   Before starting treatment with Zoladex do I need to disclose my pre-existing medical conditions to the doctor?

: Yes. It is recommended that complete medical history be disclosed to your physician before starting treatment with Zoladex. An alternate medication is likewise recommended. Further, you need to necessarily disclose to your physician if you have:

• Hepatic impairment;
• Any cardiovascular disease;
• Lung or breathing problems;
• Kidney problems; or
• Blood pressure problems.

Q 4.   What are the common side effects of Zoladex?

The most common side effects are:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Urinary tract infection
• Reducing bone strength resulting in frequent fractures
• Diarrhea
• Increased cholesterol (Hypercholesterolemia) and triglycerides
• Anemia
• Hypokalemia
• Upper abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite

Persistence in any of the symptoms may lead to fatal side effects. Refer your doctor immediately if you suffer any such symptoms for alternate medicine or additional medication to curb them.

Q 4.   : Can I take Zoladex in any type of cancer?

Zoladex is not a cancer treatment drug. It is a hormonal treatment to slow growth of prostate cancer in men. Specific studies to prove its efficiency/cure in any other type of cancer is yet not available.

Q 5.Can I take Zoladex without referring a doctor

No. Self-medication is strictly prohibited. Zoladex is known to have serious side effects. Prior consultation by a cancer specialist is strongly recommended. Also patients with pre-existing medical conditions need to disclose their medical history top their doctors before starting treatment with Zoladex.

Q.6 Can I consume alcohol while under treatment with Zoladex?

Consumption of alcohol during administration of Zoladex should be avoided. Though no studies support any reaction of the medicine with alcohol, doctor’s instructions should be sought before consumption.

Q.7 Can I take Zoladex on empty stomach?

Yes. Zoladex is advised to be taken empty stomach to curb the side effects of the medicine when taken with food. Adverse effects such as a high blood pressure, muscle weakness, paralysis, and breathing difficulties are common symptoms noticed if medicine is taken along with food. Interval of 1 hour before meal and 2 hours after meal is advised for administration of the medicine.

Q.8Is it common to have a low blood cell count during treatment with Zoladex?

Yes. Low blood cell count is a symptom. However, it is advisable to bring it to the notice of your physician. Persistent low blood cell count may lead to serious side effects.

Q.9 Is it important to get a regular blood cell count done up during treatment from Zoladex?

Yes. Usage of Zoladex often leads to low blood cell count. To continue taking the medicine during the treatment period, it is advisable to get a regular blood cell count done up

Q.10 Why is prednisolone advised while under regular administration of Zoladex?

Administration of Zoladex leads to side effects such as high blood pressure, fluid retention (having too much water in your body), or having reduced levels of potassium in your blood. The risk of the side effects can be fatal. In order to counteract the side-effects of Zoladex, your doctor advises prednisolone.

Q.11 Is it common to have swelling in feet or around ankles while administration of Zoladex?

Swelling of feet and ankles is a serious side-effect to the medicine. Immediate referral of a doctor is advised to curb additional effects. Self-medication to overcome symptoms is strictly prohibited.

Q.12 Is Zoladex safe to be used for treating cancer in pediatric patients or females?

Zoladex is a hormonal treatment drug administered to males only undergoing treatment of prostate cancer. No definite study supports the use of Zoladex in pediatric patients or females for any other type of cancer.

Q.13 Does the consumption of Zoladex have any sexual effects?

Yes. Reduced sex drive (libido) is a common medicinal side effect noticed due to the presence of the compound Goserelin acetate.