The use of faslodex or fulvestrant is strictly restricted in the case of pregnant women as it can harm the fetus. Keep your doctor informed about any underlying medical condition such as blood-clotting disorder or liver disease to make sure that faslodex or fulvestrant is safe for you. It is also not safe to use faslodex or fulvestrant along with some medications such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) used for thinning the blood.
How Effective is Faslodex?
Faslodex or fulvestrant is a drug that is effectively useful in the treatment of certain types of breast cancer. Hormone related breast cancers require estrogen to promote the growth of cancer affected cells. Faslodex or fulvestrant effectively reduces the effect of estrogen in the body thus acting as an anti-estrogen drug. It is particularly useful in certain cases of hormone-related breast cancers that spread further after receiving hormonal therapy. It is often used in combination with palbociclib.
The use of Faslodex must be avoided if you are allergic to it or if you are pregnant. Inform your doctor about any of the following conditions to make sure that it will not harm you:
- Any disorder affecting blood clotting
- Liver disease with bleeding or clotting
- Lack of platelets in the blood.
Faslodex or fulvestrant is strictly prohibited in the case of pregnant women. Studies suggest that that use of faslodex or fulvestrant in a pregnant woman can be harmful for the fetus. Thus, it is strongly recommended that you take birth control measures such as pills to avoid pregnancy. It is not still known that faslodex or fulvestrant can harm the new born baby when it is passed into the baby from mother through breast milk.
How is Faslodex Given?
Faslodex is taken in the form of injection. The specific dose of medicine is injected into the buttocks of the person. The medicine must be injected slowly. Initially, the dose is repeated after every two weeks and gradually it is increased to once every month. In case the patient is also taking Ibrance capsules, the dose must be continued for 21 days followed by a gap of 7 days. Inform you doctor about any irregularity or abnormality in menstrual cycle as it will require additional hormonal control treatment. The use of faslodex or fulvestrant can also cause some of the lab tests look abnormal. Make sure that your doctor knows about your condition and the medications that you are following. Follow the instructions of the doctor carefully including the dose. In case of any doubt about the medication or condition, do not hesitate to ask.
What is the Recommended Dosage of Faslodex?
General Adult Dose of faslodex or fulvestrant for Breast Cancer: Initially, the dose must be 500 mg IM repeated after every 15 days and then once after every 30 days.
What are the Side Effects of Faslodex?
Some of the common side effects of using faslodex or fulvestrant are as follows:
- Headache;
- Pain in the joints, muscles or bones are also side effects of faslodex or fulvestrant;
- Loss of appetite
- Pain in the area where the medicine was injected
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Constipation;
- Lacking physical strength
- Trouble in breathing
- Hot flashes;
In case you observe any side effects and signs of allergy due to use of faslodex or fulvestrant, do not ignore them and report immediately to your doctor. Some common allergic symptoms are swelling in throat, lips, tongue and face, difficulty in breathing and hives. Seek immediate care from the nearest medical facility if you experience weakness, burning pain or signs of tingling in your body.
What Should I Avoid While Receiving Faslodex?
Faslodex or fulvestrant remains in the body for about 48 hours after taking the dose. Thus, all the body fluids and wastes contain faslodex or fulvestrant during this period. It is very important that the patient himself as well as the caregivers take precautions not to come in contact of these fluids. They must wear gloves while changing the diapers or handling the contaminated trash.
