Zoladex LA 10.8mg

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet:

1. What Zoladex LA is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use Zoladex LA
3. How to use Zoladex LA
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Zoladex LA
6. Contents of the pack and other information

Do not use Zoladex LA:

• if you are allergic to goserelin or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
• if you are a woman.

Do not have Zoladex LA if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before having Zoladex LA.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using Zoladex LA:

• if you have problems passing urine (water) or problems with your back.
• if you have diabetes.
• if you have high blood pressure.
• if you have any condition that affects the strength of your bones, especially if you are a heavy drinker, a smoker, have a family history of osteoporosis (a condition that affects the strength of your bones) or take anticonvulsants (medicines for epilepsy or fits) or corticosteroids (steroids).
• if you have any heart or blood vessel conditions, including heart rhythm problems (arrhythmia), or are being treated with medicines for these conditions. The risk of heart rhythm problems may be increased when using Zoladex LA.

There have been reports of depression in patients taking Zoladex which may be severe. If you are taking Zoladex and develop depressed mood, inform your doctor.

Medicines of this type can cause a reduction in bone calcium (thinning of bones).

If you go into hospital, tell the medical staff that you are having Zoladex LA.

Children

Zoladex LA should not be given to children.

Other medicines and Zoladex LA

Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines that you buy without a prescription and herbal medicines.

Zoladex LA might interfere with some medicines used to treat heart rhythm problems (e.g. quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone and sotalol) or might increase the risk of heart rhythm problems when used with some other drugs (e.g. methadone (used for pain relief and part of drug addiction detoxification), moxifloxacin (an antibiotic), antipsychotics used for serious mental illnesses).

Driving and using machines

Zoladex LA is not likely to affect you being able to drive or use any tools or machines.

Your next appointment

• You should be given a Zoladex LA injection every 12 weeks.
• Always remind the doctor or nurse to set up an appointment for your next injection.
• If you are given an appointment for your next injection which is earlier or later than 12 weeks from your last injection, tell your doctor or nurse.
• If it has been more than 12 weeks since your last injection, contact your doctor or nurse so that you can receive your injection as soon as possible.

Allergic reactions:

These are rare. The symptoms can include sudden onset of:

• Rash, itching or hives on the skin.
• Swelling of the face, lips or tongue or other parts of the body.
• Shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing.

If this happens to you, see a doctor straight away.

Injection site injury (including damage to blood vessels in the abdomen) has been reported following injection of Zoladex LA. In very rare cases this has caused severe bleeding. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pain.
• Abdominal distension.
• Shortness of breath.
• Dizziness.
• Low blood pressure and/or any altered levels of consciousness.

Other possible side effects:

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)

• Hot flushes and sweating. Occasionally these side effects may continue for some time (possibly months) after stopping Zoladex.
• A reduced sex drive and impotence.

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• Pain in your lower back or problems passing urine. If this happens, talk to your doctor.
• Bone pain at the beginning of treatment. If this happens, talk to your doctor.
• Thinning of your bones.
• Rises in blood sugar levels.
• Tingling in your fingers or toes.
• Skin rashes.
• Weight gain.
• Pain, bruising, bleeding, redness or swelling where Zoladex LA is injected.
• Reduced heart function or heart attack.
• Changes in blood pressure.
• Swelling and tenderness of your breasts.
• Changes in your mood (including depression).

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• Pain in the joints.

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)

• Psychiatric problems called psychotic disorders which may include hallucinations (seeing, feeling or hearing things that are not there), disordered thoughts and personality changes. This is very rare.
• The development of a tumour of the pituitary gland in your head or, if you already have a tumour in your pituitary gland, Zoladex LA may make the tumour bleed or collapse. These effects are very rare. Pituitary tumours can cause severe headaches, feeling or being sick, loss of eyesight and becoming unconscious.

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)

• Hair loss.
• Changes in your blood.
• Liver problems.
• A blood clot in your lungs causing chest pain or shortness of breath.
• Inflammation of the lungs. The symptoms may be like pneumonia (such as feeling short of breath and coughing).
• Changes in ECG (QT prolongation).

Do not be concerned by this list of possible side effects. You may not get any of them.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme, Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

What Zoladex LA 10.8 mg Implant contains

The active substance is goserelin. Each Zoladex LA 10.8 mg Implant contains 10.8 mg of goserelin.

The other ingredient is lactide/glycolide copolymer which is an inactive substance.

What Zoladex LA 10.8 mg Implant looks like and contents of the pack

Zoladex LA 10.8 mg Implant comes as an implant (a very small pellet) in a pre-filled syringe, ready to be used by the doctor or nurse.

Zoladex LA 10.8 mg Implant is produced in packs of one implant (injection).

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

The Marketing Authorisation for Zoladex LA 10.8 mg Implant is held by

Zoladex LA 10.8 mg Implant is manufactured by

To listen to or request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio please call, free of charge:

0800 198 5000 (UK only)

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Product name Zoladex LA 10.8 mg Implant

Reference number 17901/0065

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