Pricing
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Fulvest is indicated for:
Pharmacology
Many breast cancers have estrogen receptors (ER), and estrogen can stimulate the growth of these tumors. Fulvestrant is an estrogen receptor antagonist. It binds to the estrogen receptor in a competitive way, with an affinity comparable to that of estradiol, and it downregulates the ER protein in human breast cancer cells.
In vitro studies showed that fulvestrant is a reversible inhibitor of the growth of tamoxifen-resistant human breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines, as well as estrogen-sensitive ones. In in vivo tumor studies, fulvestrant delayed the establishment of tumors from xenografts of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells in nude mice. It also inhibited the growth of established MCF-7 xenografts and of tamoxifen-resistant breast tumor xenografts.
Fulvestrant showed no agonist-type effects in in vivo uterotrophic assays in immature or ovariectomized mice and rats. In in vivo studies in immature rats and ovariectomized monkeys, it blocked the uterotrophic action of estradiol. In postmenopausal women, plasma concentrations of FSH and LH did not change in response to fulvestrant treatment (250 mg monthly), which suggests no peripheral steroidal effects.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
Fulvestrant 500 mg is given as a slow intramuscular injection into the buttocks (gluteal area), taking 1 to 2 minutes for each injection. The dose is two 5 mL injections, one in each buttock, on Days 1, 15 and 29, and then once a month after that.
For patients with moderate hepatic impairment, the recommended dose of fulvestrant is 250 mg. This is given as one 5 mL intramuscular injection into the buttock (gluteal area), slowly over 1 to 2 minutes, on Days 1, 15 and 29, and then once a month after that.
Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.
Side Effects
In patients taking Fulvestrant 500 mg, the most common side effects, seen in 5% or more of patients, were injection site pain, nausea, bone pain, arthralgia, headache, back pain, fatigue, pain in extremity, hot flash, vomiting, anorexia, asthenia, musculoskeletal pain, cough, dyspnea and constipation. Increased hepatic enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP) occurred in more than 15% of patients on Fulvestrant, and this was not dose-dependent.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Risk of Bleeding: Use Fulvestrant with caution in patients with bleeding diatheses, thrombocytopenia, or anticoagulant use. Increased Exposure in Patients with Hepatic Impairment: Patients with moderate hepatic impairment should get a 250 mg dose. Injection Site Reaction: Take care when giving the injection at the dorsogluteal site, because the sciatic nerve lies close underneath. Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: This medicine can cause fetal harm. Tell females of reproductive potential about the potential risk to a fetus, and advise them to use effective contraception. Immunoassay Measurement of Serum Estradiol: Fulvestrant can interfere with estradiol measurement by immunoassay, so the result may show falsely elevated estradiol levels.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
We don't have any data from pregnant women, so the risk of fulvestrant in pregnancy isn't known. Nor is it known whether fulvestrant passes into human milk, or what effect it might have on milk production or on a breastfed infant.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Overdose
Doctors have very little experience of overdose with Fulvest, and only a few isolated cases have been reported in humans. In healthy male and female volunteers who were given Fulvest intravenously, no adverse reactions were seen. Their peak plasma concentrations, reached at the end of the infusion, were about 10 to 15 times those seen after an intramuscular injection. What this means for cancer patients is not known, because they may have other medical conditions as well, and the possible toxicity of Fulvest at these or higher concentrations in them is unknown. There is no specific treatment for a Fulvest overdose, and the symptoms of overdose have not been established. If an overdose happens, healthcare practitioners should follow general supportive measures and treat the symptoms as they appear.
⚠️ In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Storage
Keep Fulvestrant in a refrigerator at 2°-8°C. It needs protection from light, so leave it in its original carton until you are ready to use it.
Drug Interactions
Common questions about Fulvest 250 mg/5 ml
What is Fulvest 250 mg/5 ml IM Injection?
Fulvest 250 mg/5 ml IM Injection is a medicine that contains Fulvestrant. It is made by Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Ltd. It belongs to the Cytotoxic Chemotherapy group of medicines.
What is Fulvest used for?
Fulvest is used for: Cancer.
What are the side effects of Fulvest?
In patients taking Fulvestrant 500 mg, the most common side effects, seen in 5% or more of patients, were injection site pain, nausea, bone pain, arthralgia, headache, back pain, fatigue, pain in extremity, hot flash, vomiting, anorexia, asthenia, musculoskeletal pain, cough, dyspnea and constipation. Increased hepatic enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP) occurred in more than 15% of patients on Fulvestrant, and this was not dose-dependent.
Can I take Fulvest during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
We don't have any data from pregnant women, so the risk of fulvestrant in pregnancy isn't known. Nor is it known whether fulvestrant passes into human milk, or what effect it might have on milk production or on a breastfed infant. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What happens if I take too much Fulvest?
Doctors have very little experience of overdose with Fulvest, and only a few isolated cases have been reported in humans. In healthy male and female volunteers who were given Fulvest intravenously, no adverse reactions were seen. In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
How should I store Fulvest?
Keep Fulvestrant in a refrigerator at 2°-8°C. It needs protection from light, so leave it in its original carton until you are ready to use it.
Do I need a prescription for Fulvest?
Fulvest is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.