fulvestrant (redirected from Faslodex)

fulvestrant,

an antineoplastic agent used to treat advanced breast carcinoma in estrogen-receptor-positive patients.

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fulvestrant Warning - Hazardous drug!

Faslodex

Pharmacologic class: Estrogen receptor antagonist

Therapeutic class: Antineoplastic

Pregnancy risk category D

Action

Inhibits cell division by binding with and downgrading estrogen receptor protein in breast cancer cells

Availability

Prefilled syringes: 125 mg/2.5 ml, 250 mg/5 ml

⊘Indications and dosages

➣ Hormone receptor-positive advanced metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women with disease progression who have received antiestrogen therapy

Adults: 250 mg I.M. q month as a single 5-ml injection or two concomitant 2.5-ml injections

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to drug
• Pregnancy

Precautions

Use cautiously in:
• bleeding disorders, hepatic dysfunction, thrombocytopenia
• breastfeeding patients.

Administration

• Expel air bubble from syringe before giving injection.
• Administer I.M. injection slowly.

Route	Onset	Peak	Duration
I.M.	Slow	2-3 days	Unknown

Adverse reactions

CNS: depression, light-headedness, dizziness, headache, hallucinations, vertigo, insomnia, paresthesia, anxiety, weakness

CV: chest pain, vasodilation, peripheral edema

EENT: pharyngitis

GI: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, anorexia

GU: urinary tract infection, pelvic pain

Hematologic: anemia

Musculoskeletal: back pain, bone pain, arthritis

Respiratory: dyspnea, increased cough

Skin: flushing, rash, diaphoresis

Other: food distaste, fever, hot flashes, injection site reactions, pain, flulike symptoms

Interactions

Drug-drug. Anticoagulants: increased bleeding risk

Patient monitoring

• Monitor CBC.
• Assess liver function test results.

Patient teaching

• Advise patient to report signs and symptoms of infection, especially urinary tract infection.
• Caution patient to avoid driving and other hazardous activities until she knows how drug affects concentration and alertness.
☞ Tell patient to notify prescriber immediately if she thinks she is pregnant.
• Teach patient comfort measures to minimize hot flashes and rash.
• Instruct patient to minimize GI upset and sore throat by eating frequent, small servings of healthy food and drinking adequate fluids.
• Tell patient that drug may cause headache, muscle aches, or bone pain. Encourage her to discuss activity recommendations and pain management with prescriber.
• Advise patient to establish effective bedtime routine to minimize sleep disorders.
• As appropriate, review all other significant adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the drugs mentioned above.