Faslodex

Generic Name: fulvestrant (ful VES trant)
Brand Names: Faslodex

What is Faslodex?

Faslodex (fulvestrant) blocks the actions of estrogen in the body. Certain types of breast cancer require estrogen to grow.

Faslodex is used to treat some types of metastatic breast cancer that require estrogen to grow, in postmenopausal women whose cancer has progressed following treatment with other anti-estrogen medication. Fulvestrant is not a chemotherapy drug.

Faslodex is not a chemotherapy medicine.

Faslodex may also be used for other purposes not listed here.

Important information about Faslodex

Do not receive Faslodex 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 Faslodex, 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 Faslodex injection.

Before I receive Faslodex

You should not receive Faslodex 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. Faslodex can cause harm to an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not receive this medicine without telling 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 Faslodex without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Faslodex pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How is Faslodex given?

Faslodex is given as an injection into a muscle of your buttock. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Faslodex is usually given once a month. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your fulvestrant injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Since Faslodex is given by a healthcare professional, an overdose is not likely to occur.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have received too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a fulvestrant overdose are not known.

What should I avoid while receiving Faslodex?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity during treatment.

Faslodex side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Faslodex: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Less serious Faslodex 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;

• 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.

See also: Faslodex side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Faslodex?

Before you receive Faslodex, tell your doctor if you are taking a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Faslodex. 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.

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about Faslodex.

• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2009 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.01. Revision Date: 09/25/2009 11:58:44 AM.