Fulvestrant is a prescription medication used to treat women with a certain type of advanced breast cancer (hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative) that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic). It is a type of hormone therapy that works by blocking the effects of the hormone estrogen in the body. It is usually given after other hormone therapy treatments have stopped working. Fulvestrant is usually given as an injection into a muscle once a month. Common side effects of fulvestrant include nausea, hot flashes, and joint and muscle pain.
Fulvestrant, sold under the brand name Faslodex among others, is a medication used to treat specific types of breast cancer. Here's a breakdown of key points about Fulvestrant:
- Type of medication: Antiestrogen
- Brand name: Faslodex (among others)
- Use: Treatment of hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women, or HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer in combination with other drugs.
- How it works: Fulvestrant acts in two ways:
- Blocks estrogen receptors on cancer cells, preventing estrogen from stimulating their growth.
- Works as a selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD), causing the degradation of estrogen receptors within the cancer cells, further reducing their sensitivity to estrogen.
Additional points to note:
- Fulvestrant is administered through injection into a muscle, typically every 2 weeks for the first 3 doses followed by a monthly schedule.
- It's important to remember that Fulvestrant is a prescription medication and should only be used under the guidance of a doctor.
If you'd like to learn more about Fulvestrant, here are some reliable sources you can consult with your doctor:
- National Cancer Institute: [invalid URL removed]
- https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a607031.html