Fareston (Toremifene Citrate)

Fareston (Toremifene Citrate) is a prescription medication used in postmenopausal women to treat (metastatic) hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body). Your doctor may test your tumor before prescribing this medication. Fareston may also be used for purposes not listed above. Fareston belongs to a class of medications called estrogen antagonists, and works to treat cancer by blocking estrogen from reaching cancer cells. Certain breast cancers are hormone receptor-positive, meaning that when the cancer cells receive estrogen, they grow and spread. By blocking the estrogen from reaching the cancer cells, Fareston can slow the spread and growth of the cancer.

Manufacturer Information

Common side effects of Fareston may include sweating, hot flashes, nausea, or vaginal discharge.

Contact your doctor immediately if you notice more serious side effects such as:
• A slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing;
• Blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
• Pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding;
• Signs of a blood clot (sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance, chest pain, wheezing, coughing up blood);
• Signs of a heart attack (chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating);
• Signs of high calcium levels (confusion, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, increased thirst or urination, weight loss)

This medication can cause a life threatening heart rhythm disorder. Stop using this medication and call your doctor immediately if you have fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, sudden dizziness, shortness of breath, or a seizure.

This is not a complete list of side effects. If you notice any other side effects not listed here, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.

You should not use Fareston if you are allergic to toremifene, or if you have:

• Long QT syndrome;
• An uncontrolled electrolyte imbalance (low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood)

To make sure this medication and safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia), endometrial hyperplasia (overgrowth of cells lining the uterus), liver disease, bone cancer, or a blood clot. Fareston may increase your risk of developing a condition that can lead to uterine cancer. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk. Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away. Fareston is for use only in women who can no longer get pregnant. Fareston can harm an unborn baby. Do not use if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control if you are not past menopause. Tell your doctor if you think you may be pregnant. Fareston can make hormonal birth control less effective, including birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings. To prevent pregnancy while using this medicine, use a barrier form of birth control, such as a condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, or contraceptive sponge. Do not breastfeed while using this medication. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Fareston and can lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products while taking this medication. Fareston may interact with several medications, especially medications for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV. This is not a complete list of interactions, and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any medications, vitamins, or herbal supplements you are currently taking or have recently taken in order to reduce the risk of any possible interactions. Fareston is not approved for use in anyone younger than 18 years old.

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