Goserelin
Say it: GOE-se-rel-in · Brand names: Zoladex
Goserelin is a small hormone implant placed under the skin that lowers sex hormones to slow prostate and breast cancer.
What it is
Goserelin acts on the brain to turn off the signal that tells the testicles or ovaries to make sex hormones. At first, hormone levels can briefly go up for a week or two, then they drop to very low levels. Lower hormone levels slow cancers that need hormones to grow.
Often used for
- prostate cancer
- breast cancer in women who have not gone through menopause
How you get it
A nurse or doctor places a tiny implant under the skin of your belly with a needle at the clinic. You get a new implant every 4 weeks or every 12 weeks, depending on the strength. Your schedule may be different.
Common side effects and what helps
- Hot flashes and sweating. Dress in layers and keep cool drinks nearby.
- Less interest in sex, or trouble getting an erection. It is okay to talk with your team about this.
- Vaginal dryness. Ask your team about safe moisturizers.
- Mood changes or feeling down. Tell your team, since help is available.
- Headache. Rest and ask your team what pain medicine is safe.
- Bruising or soreness where the implant was placed. This usually goes away in a few days.
Call your care team right away if you have
- Bone pain, trouble urinating, or new weakness or numbness in the legs in the first weeks of treatment
- Bleeding, growing swelling, or severe pain in the belly where the implant was placed
- Chest pain, sudden weakness on one side of the body, or trouble speaking
- Very high thirst or urinating a lot
- Swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing
Before you start, tell your team
- If you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
- If you have diabetes or heart problems
- If you have weak bones (osteoporosis), or drink a lot of alcohol or smoke
- If you take blood thinners or have a low body weight
- All the medicines you take, including vitamins, herbs and supplements
Good to know
- In the first weeks, the short rise in hormones can make cancer symptoms worse for a while. Your team may give another medicine to prevent this.
- Goserelin can raise blood sugar and the risk of heart problems. Your team may check your sugar and heart health.
- Long-term use can thin your bones. Your team may suggest bone scans, calcium and vitamin D.
- Women should use a non-hormone birth control method during treatment, since goserelin can harm an unborn baby.
Questions to ask
- How often will I need a new implant?
- What can I do about hot flashes?
- Should I take anything to protect my bones?
- What kind of birth control should I use?
Side effect guides
Sources
Quick answers
- What is Goserelin?
- Goserelin is a small hormone implant placed under the skin that lowers sex hormones to slow prostate and breast cancer. Brand names: Zoladex.
- What is Goserelin used for?
- prostate cancer; breast cancer in women who have not gone through menopause.
- How is Goserelin given?
- A nurse or doctor places a tiny implant under the skin of your belly with a needle at the clinic. You get a new implant every 4 weeks or every 12 weeks, depending on the strength. Your schedule may be different.
- What are the common side effects of Goserelin?
- Hot flashes and sweating. Less interest in sex, or trouble getting an erection. Vaginal dryness. Mood changes or feeling down. Headache. Bruising or soreness where the implant was placed.
- When should I call my care team while taking Goserelin?
- Bone pain, trouble urinating, or new weakness or numbness in the legs in the first weeks of treatment; Bleeding, growing swelling, or severe pain in the belly where the implant was placed; Chest pain, sudden weakness on one side of the body, or trouble speaking; Very high thirst or urinating a lot; Swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing.
Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.