Fulvestrant is used on its own or together with other medicines to treat certain types of breast cancer which have spread from the original site to nearby areas or some other parts of the body.
Fulvestrant is to be given intramuscularly (into the muscle) into each of your buttock.
Your doctor or nurse will administer this medicine for you.
The dose of Fulvestrant will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your condition.
Ensure that you keep all appointments with your doctor so that you do not miss any doses. Your doctor also needs to regularly monitor your response to Fulvestrant.
If you miss an appointment or miss an injection, alert your doctor or nurse. A replacement appointment or injection should be given as soon as possible.
Do not use Fulvestrant if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with this medicine, alert your doctor immediately. Fulvestrant may cause harm to your unborn child. You must use proven birth control methods while using this medicine and for at least a year after stopping the therapy.
Do not breastfeed while using Fulvestrant and for at least a year after stopping the therapy.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- low level of platelets (substances in the blood that help form clots to stop excessive bleeding)
- bleeding disorders
- liver disease
- kidney disease
If you are going for a laboratory examination, inform your doctor that you are using Fulvestrant.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and to check your response to this medicine regularly.
- You may need to have routine liver function test. Your doctor will advise you about how often you will need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring of signs and symptoms of bleeding or infection may be needed while you are being treated with this medicine.
- Pregnancy test may be needed prior to treatment initiation to check the appropriateness of Fulvestrant therapy.
Fulvestrant may cause abnormal physical weakness or lack of energy. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects may include any of the following: pain or inflammation in the injection site, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach pain, loss of appetite, cough, problems in urination, hot flushes, and pain in the muscle, joint, bone, back or limb.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swollen face, lips, tongue or throat
- unusual bruising or bleeding
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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