Latest Cancer TreatmentsDr. Mohammadreza Dabiri
Dr. Mohammadreza Dabiriفارسی
Drug

Goserelin (Zoladex)

An implant under the skin that switches off sex hormones in prostate and breast cancer

Updated: 27 October 20262 min read3 references
Generic name
Goserelin
Brand names
Zoladex
Drug class
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist
Route
Subcutaneous implant
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Key points

  • Goserelin is a small implant placed under the skin of the abdomen every 28 days (3.6 mg) [1].
  • It switches off testosterone in prostate cancer and oestrogen in breast cancer before menopause [1, 2].
  • Given during chemotherapy, it lowered the risk of early menopause in young women [3].

What is this drug and how does it work?

For patients

Goserelin first stimulates and then switches off the pituitary gland; after a few weeks, testosterone production in men and oestrogen production in women falls to menopausal levels [1].

For physiciansSpecialist notes
For physicians

A GnRH agonist; initial stimulation of LH/FSH (flare), followed by receptor down-regulation and gonadal suppression [1].

Which cancers is it used for?

For patients
What is this drug for?
  • Advanced prostate cancer or prostate cancer treated with radiotherapy [1]
  • Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in women before menopause (with exemestane or tamoxifen) [1, 2]
  • Protecting the ovaries during chemotherapy [3]
For physiciansApproved uses and evidence
For physicians
Approved uses and evidence
DiseaseUseKey evidence
Prostate cancerAndrogen suppression [1]—
High-risk premenopausal breast cancerWith exemestane or tamoxifenSOFT/TEXT [2]
Preservation of ovarian functionDuring chemotherapyPOEMS: ovarian failure 8% vs 22% [3]

How it is taken and dosing

Show detailsHide

A doctor or nurse places the implant under the skin of the abdomen (below the navel) with a special needle, once every 28 days [1]. A few days' delay does no harm, but keep to the schedule.

For physiciansStandard dosing (FDA label), 1 regimen
For physicians

Standard dosing (FDA label)

Goserelin

Prostate and breast cancerCycle length: Every 28 days

Prostate and breast cancer

DrugDoseRouteSchedule
Goserelin3.6 mgSubcutaneous implant, abdomenEvery 28 days
Cycle length
Every 28 days
Duration
By disease

A 3-monthly form also exists for prostate cancer. Initial flare in prostate cancer: a short course of an antiandrogen in bulky disease or spinal metastases [1].

Doses follow the trial protocol, guideline or official drug label (source given in the notes of each regimen). Before prescribing, check blood counts, renal and hepatic function, drug interactions and the patient’s condition, and adjust the dose according to the drug label.

Side effects

For patients

The most common side effects: hot flushes, sweating, lower sex drive, mood changes, and in women vaginal dryness and periods stopping [1].

For physiciansSpecialist notes
For physicians

Hot flushes, sexual dysfunction, decreased bone density, raised glucose and lipids, mood changes [1].

Serious side effects

For patients

Serious side effects: at the start of prostate cancer treatment, a temporary worsening of bone pain or urinary problems (flare); injury or bleeding at the implant site; and with long-term use, osteoporosis, diabetes and heart problems [1].

For physiciansSpecialist notes
For physicians
  • Tumour flare and spinal cord compression in the first weeks (prostate) [1].
  • Injection-site injury and abdominal bleeding [1].
  • Hyperglycaemia, cardiovascular events, QT prolongation, decreased bone density [1].

When should I call my doctor?

  • Severe bone pain or weakness in the legs in the first weeks
  • Pain or a lot of bleeding at the implant site
  • Great thirst and passing a lot of urine

Interactions, pregnancy and precautions

  • Bones: with long-term use, bone density checks, calcium and vitamin D [1].
  • Pregnancy: goserelin must not be used in pregnancy; in breast cancer, use a non-hormonal method of contraception [1].
For patients

Frequently asked questions

Does goserelin switch off the ovaries for good?

No; its effect usually wears off when the drug is stopped, although women close to menopause may go through menopause earlier [1].

Related cancer types

Breast cancerProstate cancer

Related drugs

Abemaciclib (Verzenio)Abiraterone (Zytiga)Capecitabine (Xeloda)Carboplatin (Paraplatin)Cyclophosphamide (Endoxan)Denosumab (Xgeva)Docetaxel (Taxotere)Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)

References

3 references
Show all references, 1 with a study cardClose the reference list

Numbers in the text, such as [1], refer to these sources. Sources with a “Study card” button are summarised in the site’s evidence library.

  1. 1
    ZOLADEX (GOSERELIN) IMPLANT — Prescribing InformationTersera Therapeutics LLC · FDA label · 2026
    Source Back to text: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
  2. 2
    Adjuvant exemestane with ovarian suppression in premenopausal breast cancerPagani O, Regan MM, Walley BA, et al · N Engl J Med · 2014;371:107-18
    DOIPubMed Back to text: 1 2 3
  3. 3
    Goserelin for ovarian protection during breast-cancer adjuvant chemotherapyMoore HC, Unger JM, Phillips KA, et al · N Engl J Med · 2015;372:923-32
    Study cardDOIPubMed Back to text: 1 2 3

This page is based on reputable scientific sources and was last updated on 27 October 2026. The content of this website is for educational and informational purposes only and does not replace consultation, diagnosis or treatment by a specialist physician. Consult your treating physician about any treatment decision.

Printed from the website; the full and up-to-date version: https://drdabiri.com/en/drugs/goserelin/

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