What is this medication for?
Fulvestrant is used to treat breast cancer that is hormone-sensitive (estrogen receptor positive). It may be used alone or in combination with other medications such as palbociclib, abemaciclib, or ribociclib.
Fulvestrant works by blocking the effects of estrogen (a hormone), to stop or slow the growth of hormone-sensitive breast cancer cells.
How should I take or use this medication?
Fulvestrant is injected into the muscles of your buttocks as two injections, one injection in each buttock.
- It is given as two injections on day 1, day 15, and day 29 of the first month, and as two injections once every month in the following months.
What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?
- Inform your healthcare professional if:
- You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
- You are taking any other medications (such as blood thinners), including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
- You have any other medical conditions such as liver, kidney or bleeding conditions.
- You are going to receive any vaccination or surgery, including dental surgery.
- You should not breastfeed during treatment of Fulvestrant and at least1 year after stopping Fulvestrant.
- You should not become pregnant during treatment. You should use an effective birth control method during treatment and for at least 1 year after stopping Fulvestrant.
What are some common side effects of this medication?
The table below will list some of the common side effects as well as the rare but serious side effects.
| Side Effect | Management |
Swelling, bruising, tenderness and redness of the skin at the injection site. May also cause nerve damage at the injection site, which is close to a large nerve (sciatic nerve) that runs from your lower back to your legs.
|
|
| Hot flushes (sudden sweating and feeling of warmth) |
|
| Muscle aches and/or joint pain |
|
| Nausea or vomiting. This is usually mild. |
|
| Feeling tired or lack of energy |
|
| Liver problems |
|
Symptoms of drug allergy including one or more of the following:
| If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately. |
How should I store this medication?
Store in the refrigerator between 2-8°C, away from direct sunlight. Do not freeze. Keep this medication away from children.
Disclaimer
Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side-effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side-effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist. If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.
This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (NHG Health, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.
Contributed By
- Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore