Fulvestrant is an antiestrogen medication. It works by blocking the actions of estrogen in the
body. Certain types of breast cancer use estrogen to grow and multiply in the body.
Fulvestrant is used to treat some hormone-related breast cancer. Fulvestrant is also used in
postmenopausal women whose breast cancer has progressed after treatment with other antiestrogen
medication.
Fulvestrant is not a chemotherapy drug.
Fulvestrant may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking fulvestrant?
You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to fulvestrant, or if you are
pregnant.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to
safely receive this medication:
liver disease;
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; or
thrombocytopenia (a low level of platelets in the blood).
FDA pregnancy category D. Fulvestrant can cause harm to an unborn
baby or cause birth defects.
Before you receive fulvestrant,
tell your doctor if you
are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during
treatment.
It is not known whether fulvestrant passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take fulvestrant?
Fulvestrant is given as an injection into a muscle of your buttock. Your doctor, nurse, or other
healthcare provider will give you this injection.
Fulvestrant is usually given once a month. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
What happens if I miss a dose of fulvestrant?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your fulvestrant injection.
Where can I get more information about fulvestrant?
Your pharmacist has information about fulvestrant written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of fulvestrant?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Less serious side effects may include:
headache, back pain;
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
constipation, diarrhea;
sore throat, cough;
weakness;
warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin;
loss of appetite;
swelling in your hands or feet;
weakness;
unusual vaginal bleeding;
hot flashes; or
mild pain or swelling where the medicine was injected.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about fulvestrant?
Do not receive fulvestrant
without telling your doctor if you are
pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you
become pregnant during treatment.
Before you receive fulvestrant, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, a bleeding or blood
clotting disorder, thrombocytopenia (a low level of platelets in your blood), or if you are taking a blood
thinner such as Coumadin.
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your fulvestrant injection.
What should I avoid while taking fulvestrant?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity during
treatment.
What other drugs will affect fulvestrant?
Before you receive fulvestrant, tell your doctor if you are taking a blood thinner such as warfarin
(Coumadin).
There may be other drugs that can interact with fulvestrant. Tell your doctor about all your
prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs
prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of fulvestrant?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
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given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
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interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
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Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009