Trinity, Texas - Fulvestrant; fulvestrant Fulvestrant is available as an intramuscular (IM) injection. ...

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Brand Name	Chemical Name
Faslodex	fulvestrant

Fulvestrant is available as an intramuscular (IM) injection.

How It Works

Fulvestrant is called an antiestrogen medicine. This means that it blocks the effect of estrogen in the body. It is only used for postmenopausal women who have been diagnosed with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer.¹

Why It Is Used

Fulvestrant is used to treat estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women when other hormonal therapies, such as tamoxifen, have stopped working.

How Well It Works

Fulvestrant is as effective as aromatase inhibitors, such as anastrozole (Arimidex), in the treatment of women with metastatic breast cancer when other hormonal therapies, such as tamoxifen, have stopped working.² It only works for postmenopausal women who have been diagnosed with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer.

Side Effects

Most women do not have problems with side effects while taking fulvestrant. When side effects happen, they are generally mild and may include:

Nausea or vomiting.
Constipation or diarrhea.
Abdominal pain.
Headache.
Back pain.
Hot flashes.
Sore throat.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

Fulvestrant should be given only under the supervision of a medical oncologist. It is approved for use after menopause.

Fulvestrant is not effective before menopause. Estrogen production during menstruation is not affected by these medicines.

Further study is needed to determine how long to use fulvestrant. It hasn't been studied long enough to answer this question.

Do not take this medicine if you are or may be pregnant. Do not breast-feed while you are taking this medicine.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

References

Citations
National Cancer Institute (2004). Fulvestrant: New treatment option for advanced breast cancer. Available online: http://www.nci.nih.gov/clinicaltrials/results/fulvestrant0802.
Abramowicz M (2005). Drugs for breast cancer. Treatment Guidelines From the Medical Letter, 3(29): 1-6.

Credits

Author	Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Cynthia Tank
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Douglas A. Stewart, MD - Medical Oncology
Last Updated	August 31, 2007

Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW	Last Updated: August 31, 2007
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Douglas A. Stewart, MD - Medical Oncology

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