What condition does Fulvestrant treat?
Fulvestrant is used to treat certain types of breast cancer. This type of cancer happens to women who have gone through menopause. It is also known as the change of life. This medicine treats cancer that has spread to other areas of the body. This may also be used by patients who have not responded well to other medications. Breast cancer cells need the hormone estrogen to grow.
This belongs to the type of drug called hormone therapy. It is an estrogen receptor antagonist. Fulvestrant is available for intramuscular use. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved this medication.
How does Fulvestrant work?
Fulvestrant reversibly and competitively binds to estrogen receptors. It is present in cancer cells. It achieves its anti-estrogen effects through two separate mechanisms.
- This medicine binds to the receptors and regulates them so that estrogen is no longer able to bind to these receptors.
- This degrades the estrogen receptors to which it is bound. Both of these mechanisms inhibit the growth of tamoxifen-resistant. It also inhibits estrogen-sensitive human breast cancer cell lines.
What is the recommended dosage for Fulvestrant?
The recommended dosage is based on your condition and response. It is important to take the prescription exactly as it is given to you.
This medication is given by slow injection into the buttock muscle. Clean the injection site first before injecting. It is to be given by a healthcare professional or doctor. It is usually given every 2 weeks for the first 3 doses. After that, the treatment will continue monthly.
What are the side effects of Fulvestrant?
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Upset stomach
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Tiredness
- Muscle, joint, or back pain
- Trouble sleeping or breathing
- Cough
- Pain in your arms or legs
- Injection site reactions (swelling, pain, or redness)
What are the precautions in taking Fulvestrant?
- Before using this medication, inform your doctor if you have any current medications. Tell also if you are any medical history or allergies.
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention anticoagulants such as warfarin. Your doctor may need to change the dosages of your medicines or monitor you carefully for side effects. You must not use this medicine on the infected injection site.
- Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. You must not become pregnant while you are receiving this medication and for at least 1 year after receiving the last dosage. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that you can use during your treatment. Your doctor may also check to see if you are pregnant within 7 days before you start this treatment. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during your treatment with this medicine. It may harm the fetus.
- If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor first.
- You should know that this medicine might reduce fertility in men and women. Talk to your doctor about the risks of receiving Fulvestrant.
- Keep this far from the reach of children or pets.
