Formulary
Buserelin: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Administration of gonadorelin analogues produces an initial phase of stimulation; continued administration is followed by down-regulation of...
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Buserelin: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Administration of gonadorelin analogues produces an initial phase of stimulation; continued administration is followed by down-regulation of...
Drug action
Administration of gonadorelin analogues produces an initial phase of stimulation; continued administration is followed by down-regulation of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone receptors, thereby reducing the release of gonadotrophins (follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone) which in turn leads to inhibition of androgen and oestrogen production.
Indications and dose
**Pituitary desensitisation before induction of ovulation by gonadotrophins**
- **Adult** (By Subcutaneous Injection): 150-300 micrograms 4 times a day, (150 micrograms equivalent to one spray), to be administered during waking hours. Start in early follicular phase (day 1) or, after exclusion of pregnancy, in the midluteal phase (day 21) and continued until down-regulation achieved (usually about 2-3 weeks) then maintained during gonadotrophin administration (stopping gonadotrophin and buserelin on administration of chorionic gonadotrophin at appropriate stage of follicular development).
Cautions
Depression; diabetes; hypertension; patients with metabolic bone disease (decrease in bone mineral density can occur); polycystic ovarian disease
Contraindications
When used for Endometriosis Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding; use longer than 6 months (do not repeat) When used for Pituitary desensitisation Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
Side effects
General side-effects: Common or very common Depression; mood altered Rare or very rare Auditory disorder; hypotension; leucopenia; pituitary tumour benign; thrombocytopenia; tinnitus Frequency not known Alopecia; anxiety; appetite change; breast abnormalities; broken nails; concentration impaired; constipation; diarrhoea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry eye; dysuria; fatigue; feeling of pressure behind the eyes; follicle recruitment increased; galactorrhoea; gastrointestinal discomfort; gynaecomastia; hair changes; headache; hot flush; hydronephrosis; hyperhidrosis; increased risk of fracture; lymphostasis; memory loss; menopausal symptoms; menstrual cycle irregularities; muscle weakness in legs; musculoskeletal discomfort; nausea; oedema; osteoporosis; ovarian and fallopian tube disorders; pain; painful sexual intercourse; palpitations; paraesthesia; QT interval prolongation; sexual dysfunction; shock; skin reactions; sleep disorder; testicular atrophy; thirst; thrombosis; tumour activation temporary; uterine leiomyoma degeneration; vision disorders; vomiting; vulvovaginal disorders; weight changes Specific side-effects: Frequency not known With intranasal use Altered smell sensation; epistaxis; hoarseness; nasal irritation; taste altered Side-effects, further information During the initial stage (1-2 weeks) increased production of testosterone may be associated with progression of prostate cancer. In susceptible patients this tumour 'flare' may cause spinal cord compression, ureteric obstruction or increased bone pain.
Interactions
**Other interactions (2):**
- During treatment with Buserelin Injection, the effect of antidiabetic agents may be attenuated.
- Since androgen deprivation treatment may prolong the QT interval, the concomitant use of Buserelin Injection with medicinal products known to prolong the QT interval or medicinal products able to...
Pregnancy
Avoid.
Breast feeding
Avoid.
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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