Fulvestrant, Injection

Type of medicine: anticancer

Generic and brand names: fulvestrant, injection; Faslodex

This medicine is given by injection (shot) to treat breast cancer in women who have been through menopause (no longer have monthly periods). This treatment is used when the cancer has continued after antiestrogen treatment.

Tell your health care provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a bleeding disorder
• liver disease.

Also, tell your provider if you take blood thinning medicines such as warfarin (Coumadin).

This medicine may make you sterile (unable to have children).

Your health care provider will give you the shots once a month. This medicine is given by intramuscular injection (shot deep into a muscle of the buttocks). The length of treatment will depend on your response to this medicine. Keep all appointment for shots.

Your provider may want to check you regularly to see how this medicine is working for you.

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Unusual bruising or bleeding, severe dizziness, fever, chest pain, shortness of breath.

Other: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, back pain, hot flashes, hoarseness, trouble sleeping, pain at the injection site, bone pain or joint pain, urinary tract infection, loss of appetite.

No significant interactions have been reported.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.