Brand name: Zoladex
Chemical name: Goserelin
Class: LHRH (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone) agent hormonal therapy. Lupron and Trelstar are also LHRHs.
How it works: LHRHs shut down the ovaries and stop them from producing estrogen so there is less estrogen to fuel the growth of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.
Uses: Zoladex typically is used to reduce the risk of early-stage, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer coming back in pre-menopausal women after surgery and other treatments.
How it's given: Zoladex is given as an injection once a month for several months or every few months.
Additional information: Once you stop receiving Zoladex, the ovaries begin functioning again. The time it takes for the ovaries to recover can vary from woman to woman.
Side effects:
- mood swings
- hot flashes
- loss of libido
- vaginal dryness
- breast swelling or tenderness
- weight gain
- headaches
- bone pain
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