Zoladex

Zoladex is an antitumor therapeutic agent.

Indications Zoladeks

It is used for therapy in such cases:

• carcinoma in the region of the mammary glands or prostate, which is hormone-dependent;
• endometriosis ;
• uterine fibroid;
• for thinning of the endometrium layer before the surgical procedure;
• IVF (if there is a need for pituitary desensitization).

[1]

Release form

The drug is released in capsules with a volume of 3.6, as well as 10.8 mg, used for the SC administration.

[2], [3]

Pharmacodynamics

Medication is an artificial analogue of natural GnRH.

It slows the process of LHRH secretion, carried out by the pituitary gland, as a result of which the testosterone levels decrease in males and estradiol in females. As a result, neoplasms in the prostate and breast cancers begin to regress.

Together with this, the drug demonstrates effectiveness in the treatment of endometriosis and prevents the formation of follicles within the ovaries and uterine fibroids. Also contributes to the thinning of the endometrial layer.

[4], [5], [6]

Pharmacokinetics

In the case of monthly subcutaneous administration of a medicament, its effective therapeutic concentrations are maintained at the required level.

The level of protein synthesis inside the plasma is low enough. The half-life is usually about 3 hours.

[7], [8]

Dosing and administration

Capsules must be injected into the abdominal wall area. A medication having the form of 3.6 mg should be used at intervals of 4 weeks. In the treatment of neoplasms of malignant type and gynecological diseases of benign nature, the cycle consists of 6 capsules.

To thin the layer of the endometrium, before the surgical procedure is injected, consisting of 2 capsules. The interval between them should be 4 weeks. Uterine ablation is noted at the stage between the 4th and 6th weeks after the administration of the 1st capsule.

The drug at a dosage of 10.8 mg should be administered at intervals of 1.5 months.

Use Zoladeks during pregnancy

Zoladex is not prescribed to lactating or pregnant women.

Contraindications

It is contraindicated to use drugs in people with a strong sensitivity to its elements or other analogues of the GnRH component.

[9], [10]

Side effects Zoladeks

The use of capsules can trigger the appearance of some side effects:

• violations affecting the work of the CAS: an increase or decrease in blood pressure;
• lesions in the musculoskeletal system: development of arthralgia;
• problems with the epidermis: the appearance of rashes;
• disorders of the function of NS: paresthesia, having a nonspecific character, as well as pituitary apoplexy (occasionally);
• allergy symptoms: anaphylaxis develops occasionally.

In women, the appearance of such symptoms: the state of depression, dryness of the vaginal mucosa, mood lability, hyperhidrosis, changes in breast size, changes in libido and headaches. At the initial stage of therapy, women with breast cancer may experience hypercalcemia, and also a transitory manifestation of pathological symptoms. Patients with uterine fibroids sometimes reported inhibition of the development of nodes of fibromatous nature.

In men, such negative effects as pain and swelling in the region of the mammary glands, weakening of potency and hyperhidrosis were revealed. Occasionally there was compression in the region of the spinal cord and frustration of ureteral patency. In people with prostate cancer at the beginning of therapy, bone pains were sometimes increased (temporarily).

[11], [12]

Storage conditions

Zoladex should be kept at temperatures of 25 ° C maximum.

[13]

Shelf life

Zoladex should be used within 36 months from the date of release of the drug.

[14]

Application for children

Do not use medicine in pediatrics.

[15], [16]

Analogues

The analogues of the medication are the means of Decapeptil, Lucrin Depot and Decapeptil Depot, as well as Diferelin, Eligard and Leiprorelin Sandoz with Lupreid Depot.

[17], [18], [19], [20]

Reviews

Zoladex is often commented on in terms of the development of negative symptoms as a result of its use. Among these, there is an increase in menstruation, headaches and sleep disorders. But at the same time the medication also demonstrates high drug efficacy - for those patients who did not have any side effects, it really helped.