Fulvestrant (Cont.)

Effects

Two studies looked at fulvestrant for the treatment of advanced or metastatic breast cancer (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body) in postmenopausal women. These women had cancer that became worse while they were taking other anti-estrogen medications. In these studies, fulvestrant was compared with anastrozole (Arimidex®), another hormonal therapy. Fulvestrant was shown to be at least as effective as anastrozole in terms of tumor shrinking and survival time.
 

When and How to Take Fulvestrant

General considerations for when and how to take the medication include the following:
 
  • Fulvestrant injections are given once a month. Each dose is administered as one or two injections, given into the buttocks.
     
  • Each dose contains a fairly large amount of liquid to be injected and must be injected very slowly.
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It will not work if you stop taking it.
     

Dosing Information

There is only one recommended dose of fulvestrant, regardless of the severity of your cancer, age, or weight.
 
(Click Fulvestrant Dosing for more information.)
  

Drug Interactions

Fulvestrant is unlikely to interact with most other medicines (see Drug Interactions With Fulvestrant).
 

What If I Take an Overdose of Fulvestrant?

In studies, large doses of fulvestrant did not cause any serious problems. In addition, an overdose is unlikely, as your healthcare provider administers each dose. However, if you happen to overdose on fulvestrant, seek immediate medical attention.
 
(Fulvestrant Continued: Page 4)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;