Zoladex

Brand name: Zoladex

Chemical name: Goserelin

Class: LHRH (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone) agent hormonal therapy. Lupron and Trelstar are also LHRHs.

How it works: LHRHs shut down the ovaries and stop them from producing estrogen so there is less estrogen to fuel the growth of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.

Uses: Zoladex typically is used to reduce the risk of early-stage, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer coming back in pre-menopausal women after surgery and other treatments.

How it's given: Zoladex is given as an injection once a month for several months or every few months.

Additional information: Once you stop receiving Zoladex, the ovaries begin functioning again. The time it takes for the ovaries to recover can vary from woman to woman.

Side effects:

• mood swings
• hot flashes
• loss of libido
• vaginal dryness
• breast swelling or tenderness
• weight gain
• headaches
• bone pain