What is another name for Zoladex? Understanding Goserelin

October 10, 2025 •

3 min read

Endometriosis affects roughly 10% of reproductive-age women and girls globally. One treatment option is Zoladex, but what is another name for Zoladex? The drug is most commonly known by its generic name, goserelin or goserelin acetate.

Quick Summary

The primary other name for the brand-name drug Zoladex is its generic name, goserelin. It is a hormone therapy used to treat prostate cancer, breast cancer, and endometriosis by lowering sex hormone production.

Key Points

Generic Name: Another name for the brand-name drug Zoladex is its generic name, goserelin or goserelin acetate.
Mechanism of Action: Goserelin is a GnRH agonist that works by lowering testosterone in men and estrogen in women, a process sometimes called 'chemical castration'.
Primary Uses: It is primarily used to treat hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, breast cancer in pre-menopausal women, and endometriosis.
Administration: Zoladex is administered as a slow-release implant injected under the skin of the abdomen, typically every 4 or 12 weeks.
Common Side Effects: The most common side effects are related to hormone suppression and include hot flashes, decreased libido, and sweating.
Bone Health Risk: Long-term use can decrease bone mineral density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
Key Alternative: A common alternative in the same drug class is Lupron (leuprolide), which has different administration schedules and approved uses.

Understanding Zoladex and Its Generic Name

Zoladex is a brand name for the medication goserelin. It is also known as goserelin acetate. Goserelin is classified as a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. Its function is to reduce the body's production of sex hormones, specifically testosterone in men and estrogen in women. This hormonal suppression is crucial for its therapeutic use in various medical conditions. While Zoladex is the most recognized brand, goserelin might be available under other brand names in different areas, such as Novgos.

How Goserelin (Zoladex) Works

Goserelin is a synthetic version of the natural GnRH. It is administered as a small implant placed under the skin, usually in the abdomen. The drug is slowly released from this implant over 28 days (for the 3.6 mg dose) or 12 weeks (for the 10.8 mg dose).

Initially, goserelin causes a brief increase in LH and FSH, leading to a temporary rise in testosterone and estrogen levels. This can cause a temporary worsening of symptoms, known as a "tumor flare". However, continued treatment desensitizes the pituitary gland, significantly reducing LH and FSH. This lowers testosterone or estrogen to what are called castrate levels, which helps control the growth of hormone-sensitive cancers.

Primary Medical Uses for Goserelin

Goserelin is used for several hormone-sensitive conditions:

Prostate Cancer: It's used for advanced prostate cancer and with other treatments for localized prostate cancer. Lowering testosterone helps slow the disease. The five-year relative survival rate for localized or regional prostate cancer is over 99%.
Breast Cancer: In pre- and perimenopausal women with HR+ breast cancer, goserelin suppresses ovarian function to reduce estrogen, which can fuel cancer. It's often combined with other hormone therapies.
Endometriosis: Goserelin helps relieve endometriosis symptoms by lowering estrogen, which shrinks misplaced endometrial tissue. Treatment is typically for six months.
Endometrial Thinning: Goserelin can be used to thin the uterine lining before procedures like endometrial ablation.

Comparison with a Common Alternative: Lupron

Lupron (leuprolide) is another GnRH agonist. Both treat conditions like advanced prostate cancer, but they differ in administration and uses.


Feature	Zoladex (Goserelin)	Lupron (Leuprolide)
Generic Name	Goserelin	Leuprolide
Administration	Subcutaneous implant every 28 days or 12 weeks.	Daily subcutaneous or monthly/multi-monthly intramuscular injection.
Approved Uses	Prostate cancer, breast cancer, endometriosis, endometrial thinning.	Primarily advanced prostate cancer; also endometriosis and uterine fibroids. Often used off-label for fertility.
Common Side Effects	Hot flashes, sexual dysfunction, decreased erections, headache, sweating.	Hot flashes, injection site pain, general pain, weakness.
Bone Density	Risk of weakening bones, may need calcium/vitamin D.	Risk for decreased bone mineral density.

Potential Side Effects and Considerations

Goserelin's side effects are mainly due to reduced sex hormones. Common effects in both men and women include hot flashes, sweating, and decreased libido.

In Men: Decreased erections and sexual dysfunction are common.
In Women: Side effects can include vaginal dryness, mood changes, depression, and changes in breast size. Goserelin usually stops menstruation, which typically returns within a year after stopping treatment.

Less common but serious side effects include decreased bone density with long-term use, increased blood sugar, injection site injuries, and increased risk of cardiovascular issues in men. Patients should discuss their medical history with their doctor.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the main alternative name for Zoladex is its generic name, goserelin. It is a GnRH agonist used to lower sex hormone levels, effectively treating hormone-sensitive conditions like prostate cancer, breast cancer, and endometriosis. It is in the same drug class as Lupron (leuprolide), but they differ in uses, administration, and side effects. Understanding these aspects is vital for managing treatment.

For more detailed information, consult with a healthcare professional or visit an authoritative source such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for full prescribing information.

Frequently Asked Questions

The generic name for Zoladex is goserelin, or goserelin acetate.

No, Zoladex (goserelin) is not chemotherapy. It is a type of hormone therapy that works by reducing the body's production of certain hormones, like testosterone and estrogen.

Zoladex is given as a small implant injected subcutaneously (under the skin) into the upper abdominal wall by a healthcare provider.

The most common side effects are due to low hormone levels and include hot flashes, sweating, decreased libido (sex drive), and, in men, decreased erections. In women, vaginal dryness and mood changes are also common.

Yes, long-term use of Zoladex can cause a decrease in bone mineral density, which can lead to weaker bones (osteoporosis) and an increased risk of fractures. Your doctor may recommend calcium and vitamin D supplements.

Yes, for most pre-menopausal women, periods will stop while on Zoladex. This effect is usually temporary, and periods typically resume within 3 to 12 months after treatment is finished.

Both are GnRH agonists used to treat conditions like prostate cancer, but they have different active ingredients (goserelin vs. leuprolide) and administration methods. Zoladex is a solid implant, while Lupron is typically a liquid injection.