Health Centres - Fareston
How does it work?
Fareston tablets contain the active ingredient toremifene, which is a medicine that blocks the receptors for the female hormone oestrogen in the body. This prevents oestrogen-induced stimulation of DNA production and hence cell growth in breast cancer.
What is it used for?
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First line treatment of oestrogen-receptor dependent metastatic breast cancer
Warning!
- Any abnormal vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge or pelvic pain and pressure should be reported to your doctor.
Use with caution in
- History of a severe problem of blood clotting
-
Severe angina pectoris
- Spread of the cancer from its site of origin to bone (bone metastases). This increases the risk of hypercalcaemia (high blood calcium levels) occurring.
-
Uncontrolled heart failure
Not to be used in
- Overgrowth of the lining of the womb (endometrial hyperplasia)
- Severely decreased liver function
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- This medicine should not be used in pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- There is no information available about the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding. For this reason, the manufacturer states that it should not be used during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Headache
- Changes in skin pigmentation
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- Weight gain
- High blood calcium level (hypercalcaemia)
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Hot flushes
- Excessive fluid retention in the body tissues, resulting in swelling (oedema)
- Discharge of white fluid from the vagina (leukorrhoea)
- Pain
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
