Fulvestrant
Generic name: fulvestrant
Brand name: Fasoldex
Dosage form: intramuscular injection
Drug classes:Estrogen receptor antagonists, Hormones / antineoplastics
What is fulvestrant?
Fulvestrant is a hormone therapy you may be prescribed if you have certain types of breast cancer. Fulvestrant is an estrogen receptor antagonist that binds to estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells. The hormone estrogen encourages breast cancer cells to grow and fulvestrant works by binding and blocking the estrogen receptor, which slows the growth of cancer.
Fulvestrant was first approved by the FDA in 2002 after Phase 3 trials showed that the patients on fulvestrant took longer for their cancer to get worse, when compared to patients on Arimidex (anastrozole). It is approved to be used for certain types of breast cancer in women, so your doctor will only prescribe it for you if it has been shown to be effective for your type of cancer.
It is given as an injection into your buttock muscle once a month, but your dose may change depending on how well it is working for you and if you are having side effects. You may also be given other medicines with fulvestrant to treat your breast cancer.
What is fulvestrant used for?
Fulvestrant is a prescription medicine used to treat advanced breast cancer or breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).
Fulvestrant may be used alone, if you have gone through menopause, and your advanced breast cancer is:
- hormone receptor (HR)-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative and has not been previously treated with endocrine therapy
or - HR-positive and has progressed after endocrine therapy.
Fulvestrant may be used in combination with ribociclib, if you have gone through menopause, and your advanced or metastatic breast cancer is HR-positive and HER2-negative, and has not been previously treated with endocrine therapy or has progressed after endocrine therapy.
Fulvestrant may be used in combination with palbociclib or abemaciclib if your advanced or metastatic breast cancer is HR-positive and HER2-negative, and has progressed after endocrine therapy.
When fulvestrant is used in combination with palbociclib, abemaciclib, or ribociclib, also read the Patient Information for the prescribed product.
It is not known if this medicine; is safe and effective in children.
It is not known if fulvestrant is safe and effective in people with severe liver problems.
Who should not receive fulvestrant?
Do not receive fulvestrant if you have had an allergic reaction to it or any of the inactive ingredients. See the end of this page for a list of ingredients.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to fulvestrant may include:
itching or hives
swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
trouble breathing
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking fulvestrant?
Before receiving th..
