Zoladex vs. Soltamox, Nolvadex

Zoladex 10.8 (goserelin acetate implant) and Soltamox and Nolvadex (tamoxifen citrate) are used to treat breast cancer.

Zoladex is also used in men to treat symptoms of prostate cancer, and in women to treat 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.

Zoladex and Soltamox and Nolvadex belong to different drug classes. Zoladex is a man-made form of a hormone and Soltamox and Nolvadex are nonsteroidal antiestrogens.

Side effects of Zoladex and Soltamox and Nolvadex that are similar include hot flashes, flushing, headache, changes in sexual interest, nausea, bone pain, and hair thinning or hair loss.

Side effects of Zoladex that are different from Soltamox and Nolvadex include dizziness, increased sweating, impotence, fewer erections than usual, sleep problems (insomnia), changes in breast size, breast swelling or tenderness, vaginal dryness/itching/discharge, mental/mood changes (such as depression, mood swings, hallucinations), injection site reactions (pain, bruising, bleeding, redness, or swelling), diarrhea, constipation, acne, and skin rash or itching.

Side effects of Soltamox and Nolvadex that are different from Zoladex include changes in menstrual periods, leg cramps, abdominal cramps, muscle pain, cough, swelling, fatigue, depression, and loss of sexual ability (in men).

Both Zoladex and Soltamox and Nolvadex may interact with antidepressants.

Zoladex may also interact with alcohol, antibiotics, heart rhythm medicine, antipsychotic medicines, cancer medicines, drugs to treat malaria, and HIV/AIDS medications.

Soltamox and Nolvadex may also interact with coumarin-type anticoagulants, anastrozole, letrozole, rifampin, aminoglutethimide, phenobarbital, bromocriptine, and cimeditdine.

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 Soltamox, Nolvadex include:

• hot flashes
• nausea
• leg cramps
• muscle aches
• hair thinning
• headache bone
• pain joint
• pain
• tumor pain
• swelling in your hands or feet
• vaginal itching or dryness
• changes in menstrual periods
• dizziness depression
• weight loss
• swelling/fluid retention
• loss of sexual ability/interest
•  impotence, or
• difficulty having an orgasm

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.

Soltamox, Nolvadex 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. Soltamox, Nolvadex 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.

Soltamox, Nolvadex may interact with bromocriptine cimetidine clozapine cyclophosphamide isoniazid letrozole methimazole nicardipine pioglitazone rifampin ropinirole ticlopidine tranylcypromine anti-malaria medications antibiotics antidepressants heart rhythm medications HIV or AIDS medicines or medicines to treat psychiatric disorders. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

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.

For patients with breast cancer the recommended daily dose of Soltamox, Nolvadex is 20-40 mg.