Zoladex vs. Lupron

Zoladex 10.8 (goserelin acetate implant) and Lupron Injection (leuprolide acetate) are man-made forms of hormones used in men to treat symptoms of prostate cancer, and in women to treat endometriosis.

Zoladex 10.8 is also used in women to treat breast cancer and to prepare the lining of the uterus for endometrial ablation (a surgery to correct abnormal uterine bleeding).

Lupron is also used in women to treat symptoms uterine fibroids and in both male and female children to treat precocious (early-onset) puberty.

Side effects of Zoladex and Lupron that are similar include hot flashes, flushing, dizziness, headache, increased sweating, changes in sexual interest, impotence, sleep problems (insomnia), nausea, breast swelling or tenderness, vaginal discomfort/dryness/itching/discharge, injection site reactions (pain, bruising, bleeding, redness, burning, stinging, or swelling), diarrhea, constipation, acne, and itching.

Side effects of Zoladex that are different from Lupron include fewer erections than usual, changes in breast size, hair loss, mental/mood changes (such as depression, mood swings, hallucinations), bone pain, and skin rash

Side effects of Lupron that are different from Zoladex include night sweats, tiredness, stomach upset or pain, joint/muscle aches or pain, vaginal bleeding, swelling of the ankles/feet, increased urination at night, breakthrough bleeding in a female child during the first 2 months of leuprolide treatment, weakness, chills, clammy skin, skin redness or scaling, testicle pain, depression, increased growth of facial hair, and memory problems.

Both Zoladex and Lupron may interact with antibiotics, antidepressants, antipsychotic medicines, cancer medicines, drugs to treat malaria, and HIV/AIDS medications.

Zoladex may also interact with alcohol and heart rhythm medicines.

Lupron may also interact with antifungal medicines, asthma inhalers, heart or blood pressure medicines, and medicines to prevent vomiting.

Side effects of Zoladex include:

• hot flashes (flushing)
• dizziness
• headache
• increased sweating
• increased or decreased sexual interest
• impotence
• fewer erections than usual
• trouble sleeping
• nausea
• change in breast size
• breast swelling or tenderness
• vaginal dryness/itching/discharge
• hair loss, mental/mood changes (such as depression, mood swings, hallucinations)
• injection site reactions (pain, bruising, bleeding, redness, or swelling)
• bone pain
• diarrhea
• constipation
• sleep problems (insomnia)
• acne, or
• skin rash or itching

Common side effects of Lupron include:

• redness/burning/stinging/pain/bruising at the injection site,
• hot flashes (flushing),
• increased sweating,
• night sweats,
• tiredness,
• headache,
• upset stomach,
• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• stomach pain,
• breast swelling or tenderness,
• acne,
• joint/muscle aches or pain,
• trouble sleeping (insomnia),
• reduced sexual interest,
• vaginal discomfort/dryness/itching/discharge,
• vaginal bleeding,
• swelling of the ankles/feet,
• increased urination at night,
• dizziness,
• breakthrough bleeding in a female child during the first 2 months of leuprolide treatment,
• weakness,
• chills,
• clammy skin,
• skin redness,
• itching or scaling,
• testicle pain,
• impotence,
• depression,
• increased growth of facial hair, or
• memory problems.

Zoladex 10.8 (goserelin acetate implant) is a man-made form of a hormone used in men to treat symptoms of prostate cancer, and in women to treat breast cancer or endometriosis. Zoladex 10.8 is also used in women to prepare the lining of the uterus for endometrial ablation (a surgery to correct abnormal uterine bleeding). Zoladex 10.8 treats only the symptoms of prostate cancer but does not treat the cancer itself.

Lupron Injection (leuprolide acetate) is a synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone used in men to treat symptoms of prostate cancer, and in women to treat symptoms of endometriosis (overgrowth of uterine lining outside of the uterus) or uterine fibroids. Lupron Injection is also used to treat precocious (early-onset) puberty in both male and female children.

There may be other drugs that can interact with Zoladex. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Zoladex is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm a fetus. Women of child-bearing age must not be pregnant when starting this medication. Consult your doctor to discuss use of birth control. For women, this medication should stop the release of an egg (ovulation) and your periods, but this should not be used as a reliable method of birth control. It is recommended that men and women using this medication use 2 forms of non-hormonal birth control (e.g., condoms and diaphragm with spermicide) while taking this medication. Continue using birth control until the return of the woman's period or for at least 12 weeks after stopping this medication. It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breastfeeding while using this medication is not recommended.

There may be other drugs that can interact with Lupron Injection.

Zoladex, at a dose of 10.8 mg, is administered subcutaneously every 12 weeks under the supervision of a physician. For female patients the 3.6 mg implant is used.

Dosage of Lupron Injection depends on the condition being treated, and the patient's age and sex.