A GnRH agonist hormone treatment
Goserelin
An injected hormone treatment that lowers sex hormones, used in prostate cancer, breast cancer and conditions such as endometriosis.
What is Goserelin?
Goserelin is a hormone treatment given as a small implant injected under the skin, usually into the tummy, on a regular schedule. It works by switching off the body's production of testosterone in men or oestrogen in women, which is helpful in prostate cancer, some breast cancers and conditions such as endometriosis. When it is first started it briefly raises hormone levels (a flare) before lowering them, so a cover medicine is sometimes given at the start. It commonly causes menopause-type effects such as hot flushes, and long-term use can thin the bones.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Goserelin — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Goserelin is a gonadorelin analogue, a type of hormone medicine that ultimately lowers the body's sex hormones. It is given as a small implant placed just under the skin, which slowly releases the medicine over several weeks. In men it is used mainly for prostate cancer; in women it is used for some breast cancers, endometriosis and to thin the womb lining before certain procedures. By reducing testosterone or oestrogen, it can slow hormone-driven conditions.
How it works
Goserelin constantly stimulates the gland in the brain that controls sex hormones. At first this causes a short rise in testosterone or oestrogen, known as a flare. With continued steady stimulation, the gland switches off, so the ovaries or testes are no longer told to make hormones and levels fall to very low. Because many prostate and breast cancers and conditions like endometriosis are driven by these hormones, lowering them can slow or shrink the condition.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Generic (long-established).
A hormone treatment given as an implant under the skin in the UK for prostate cancer, breast cancer and some gynaecological conditions.
Practical use
How to take Goserelin
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- It is given as a small implant injected under the skin, usually into the tummy, by a healthcare professional.
- Keep to the regular appointment schedule so each implant is given on time.
- In prostate cancer, take any cover medicine you are prescribed around the start, to manage the initial hormone flare.
- Expect menopause-type effects such as hot flushes, and tell your team if they are hard to cope with.
- Discuss bone protection and follow any advice on calcium, vitamin D or weight-bearing exercise for longer courses.
- Do not miss appointments without telling your team, as a gap can reduce how well it controls your condition.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Goserelin
Advantages
- Effectively lowers sex hormones to treat prostate cancer, some breast cancers and conditions such as endometriosis.
- Given as a long-acting implant rather than daily tablets, which is convenient.
- Avoids surgical removal of the testes or ovaries while achieving a similar hormone-lowering effect.
Disadvantages
- Commonly causes menopause-type effects such as hot flushes, sweats and reduced sex drive.
- Can cause an initial symptom flare, so cover medicine is sometimes needed at the start.
- Long-term use can thin the bones, so bone health needs attention.
Practical use
Good to know
Goserelin is given as a regular implant rather than a daily tablet, so keeping to the appointment schedule matters. The initial flare can briefly worsen symptoms, so in prostate cancer a separate cover medicine is often started beforehand to prevent problems from the temporary rise. Because it lowers sex hormones, it commonly causes menopause-type effects such as hot flushes, sweats, reduced sex drive and mood changes, and in men it can reduce erections. Used over a longer time it can thin the bones, so bone health is considered and sometimes monitored or protected. In endometriosis it is used for a limited period, often with add-back hormone support to ease side effects and protect bone.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- It is not used in pregnancy or breastfeeding, and non-hormonal contraception is advised where pregnancy is possible.
- It is used cautiously in people at higher risk of bone thinning or fractures.
- In men with prostate cancer that has spread to the spine, the initial flare needs careful management or alternatives.
Monitoring
- Reviewing how well your condition is responding, with blood tests or scans as appropriate.
- Watching for and managing menopause-type side effects and the initial flare.
- Considering bone-density checks or bone protection with longer-term use.
Side effects
- Hot flushes, sweats, reduced sex drive, mood changes and tiredness are common.
- Injection-site reactions, headache and, with longer use, bone thinning.
- In men, reduced erections and breast tenderness; in women, vaginal dryness and irregular bleeding.
Key interactions
- It has few routine medicine interactions, but tell your team about all medicines you take.
- Medicines or conditions that affect heart rhythm may need consideration, so share your full history.
- Other hormone treatments are only combined with it under specialist guidance.
Available as: A small implant injected under the skin (usually the abdomen) by a healthcare professional.
Answers
Goserelin: frequently asked questions
How is goserelin given?
It is given as a small implant injected just under the skin, usually into the tummy, on a regular schedule by a healthcare professional.
What is the flare at the start?
When first started, it briefly raises hormone levels before lowering them; in prostate cancer a cover medicine is often given beforehand to manage this.
Why does it cause hot flushes?
By switching off the body's sex hormones, it produces menopause-type effects such as hot flushes and sweats, which are common.
Can it affect my bones?
Used over a longer time it can thin the bones, so your team may advise bone protection or monitoring.
Will my periods stop?
In women, it usually stops periods while you are on it; periods generally return after treatment ends, though this can take some time.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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