Faslodex (fulvestrant)

How does it work?

Faslodex injection contains the active ingredient fulvestrant, which is a type of medicine called an oestrogen receptor antagonist. It is used to treat breast cancer that is known as 'oestrogen receptor-positive'.

Most breast cancers are sensitive to the female sex hormone oestrogen, and their growth is increased in the presence of this hormone. Oestrogen binds to oestrogen receptors on the breast cancer cells and causes changes within the cells that result in faster growth of the cancer.

Fulvestrant works by blocking and degrading the oestrogen receptors on breast cancer cells, thereby blocking the effect of oestrogen on the cancer. This reduces the growth of the cancerous cells.

Fulvestrant is licensed to treat oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer that is locally advanced, or has spread to other areas of the body (metastatic breast cancer) in postmenopausal women.

Fulvestrant is given as an injection into the muscle of the buttock once a month.

What is it used for?

Breast cancer that is locally advanced, or has spread to other areas of the body (metastatic breast cancer) in women who have passed the menopause.

Faslodex is used for cancer that has come back either during or following treatment with standard anti-oestrogen treatments, such as tamoxifen or anastrazole. It can also be used for cancers that have continued to grow during treatment with one of these medicines. It is therefore a further treatment option for women whose breast cancer has become resistant to standard hormonal treatments such as tamoxifen.

Use with caution in

Decreased kidney function.

Mild to moderately decreased liver function.

Osteoporosis.

People at increased risk of bleeding.

People taking medicine to prevent blood clotting (anticoagulants, eg warfarin).

Reduced platelet count in the blood.

Not to be used in

Severely decreased liver function.

Pregnancy.

Breastfeeding.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

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 during pregnancy as it may be harmful to the unborn baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. It should not be used in women who are 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.

Hot flushes.

Nausea and vomiting.

Diarrhoea.

Loss of appetite.

Headache.

Back pain.

Rash.

Weakness or loss of strength (asthenia).

Urinary tract infection.

Pain, swelling or redness at injection site.

Blood clot in the veins (venous thromboembolism).

Vaginal thrush (candidiasis).

Vaginal bleeding.

Discharge of white fluid from the vagina (leukorrhoea).

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

This medicine is not expected to significantly affect other medicines. However, it is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while having treatment with this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

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