How does it work?

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

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

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

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

Fulvestrant is given as an injection into the muscle of thebuttock 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 orfollowing treatment with standard anti-oestrogen treatments, such as tamoxifenor anastrazole. It can also be used for cancers that have continued to growduring treatment with one of these medicines. It is therefore a furthertreatment option for women whose breast cancer has become resistant to standardhormonal 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 (thrombocytopenia).

Not to be used in

• Severely decreased liver function.
• Pregnancy.
• Breastfeeding.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one orany of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you havepreviously experienced such anallergy.If you feel you haveexperienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform yourdoctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy orbreastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy orbreastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to theunborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning apregnancy, 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 individualpeople in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that areknown to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is statedhere, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience thator 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 sideeffects reported by the drug'smanufacturer.For moreinformation about any other possible risks associated with this medicine,please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctoror pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

This medicine is not expected to significantly affect othermedicines. However, it is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist whatmedicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescriptionand herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly,check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines whilehaving treatment with this one, to ensure that thecombination is safe.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

There are currently no other medicines available in the UK thatcontain fulvestrant as the active ingredient.