Fulvestrant Injection is a hormone therapy that is applied in certain forms of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

It targets cancer cells that need oestrogen to grow.

Given by intramuscular injection, this drug blocks oestrogen’s effect and halts or suppresses cancer growth.

It is typically prescribed after other treatments do not work or when cancer recurs.

What is Fulvestrant Injection?

Fulvestrant is a medication that is predominantly used in women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

These cancers grow by using oestrogen. Fulvestrant stops the activity of oestrogen and reduces the oestrogen receptors in cancer cells.

It is given as an injection and prevents the growth of cancer or slows it down.

This drug is usually given to women after menopause when other hormone medicines are no longer successful.

Overview

Fulvestrant is a very effective anti-oestrogen medicine. It works differently from earlier hormone therapies.

It does not just stop oestrogen from entering cancer cells but also breaks down the oestrogen receptors on cancer cells.

Over time, cancer cells lose their capability to use oestrogen and are damaged.

It is prescribed to women with advanced breast cancer that has spread outside the breast or has returned after earlier treatment.

Description

Fulvestrant belongs to a group of drugs known as selective oestrogen receptor degraders (SERDs).

It acts on the oestrogen receptors of the breast cancer cells and kills them.

Unlike medicines that simply block the receptor, fulvestrant kills them completely.

This makes the cancer cells less responsive to oestrogen and prevents them from growing.

The drug is injected deeply into the muscle, usually once or twice monthly.

Uses / Indications

Fulvestrant is used by physicians in the treatment of:

Advanced or certain types of metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women

Breast cancer that is hormone receptor-positive and has developed resistance to other treatments

As an initial or second-line treatment for advanced situations

With additional anticancer drugs (e.g., CDK4/6 inhibitors)

It is not used in early-stage cancer and only for women who have lost their periods (postmenopausal).

Benefits

Reduces the ability of cancer cells to use oestrogen

Effective when previous hormone treatments have failed.

It may be used alone or in combination with other drugs to achieve the best effect.

Lower levels of oestrogen receptors, and this will cause tumours to shrink.

Can improve survival among some women with advanced cancer

There are fewer hormone-related side effects than the older drugs.

Side Effects

If any serious side effects occur, medical attention is needed right away.

How Does It Work?

Fulvestrant blocks oestrogen receptors in breast cancer cells.

It binds firmly to the receptors and has them demolished. After the levels of such receptors have dropped, the cells are unable to grow as rapidly.

Since oestrogen can no longer “fuel” the cancer, the cells run out of energy.

This inhibits cancer from metastasizing and can shrink tumours that already exist.

Directions for Use

A doctor or a trained nurse will administer fulvestrant as a deep injection in the buttock muscle.

The typical dose is 500 mg, administered every month. In the first month, an additional dose is administered on day 14.

Slowly administer the drug over a period of 1–2 minutes through each buttock.

Always report to your clinic appointments on time for optimal results.

When Not to Use

Do not take Fulvestrant when pregnant or breastfeeding.

Do not take it if you are allergic to the ingredients, have serious bleeding disease, or have severe liver disease.

Always let your physician know about any medical condition you have prior to starting the treatment.

Drug Interactions

Let your doctor know all the medicines and supplements you are taking before the start of fulvestrant. Do not change or initiate any new medication without your doctor’s approval. Certain drugs may:

Increase side effects

Make fulvestrant less effective

Interfere with how the liver metabolizes the medicine

Common interacting drugs include:

Warfarin or other anticoagulants

Other cancer therapy

Herbal supplements such as St John’s Wort

Safety Advice

Use contraception during treatment with fulvestrant and for a year after treatment is completed.

Do not consume alcohol since it tends to put pressure on your liver.

Attend all scheduled liver function and blood tests.

Do not miss or postpone your injections.

Notify your doctor if you have unusual bleeding or yellowing of the eyes.

General Instructions

Only trained personnel should administer this injection. Always go to the clinic for the regular dose.

Never use outdated medicine. Bring your records with you and show them to any new doctor.

Report immediately to your doctor if you get sick. Document any side effects and report them at follow-up.

Lifestyle & Dietary Tips

Have a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Take plenty of water and not oily or sweet food items.

Stay active through gentle exercise like walking. Get lots of sleep and don’t get stressed.

Do not drink alcohol or smoke. Talk about a support group or counsellor if you are feeling overwhelmed.

Healthy habits contribute to treatment. They can reduce the side effects of treatment.

Comparison with Other Treatments

Fulvestrant is unlike the older hormone therapies. Tamoxifen blocks oestrogen but does not kill off the receptors.

Aromatase inhibitors reduce how much oestrogen is made by the body.

Fulvestrant does both – blocks and kills the receptors. It’s a suitable option when other medications fail.

It also has fewer opportunities to cause a blood clot compared to tamoxifen. Its two-action gives a more balanced approach.

Precautions & Warnings

Not to be used by pregnant or lactating women.

Use with caution in patients with kidney or liver disease.

It may cause blood clots in some, so be alert for pain or swelling in your legs.

Alert your doctor if you are aged or suffering from bone disease.

Liver function tests should be performed regularly.

Not to be used in children or men.

Can It Be Used with Other Medicines?

Yes, Fulvestrant is generally taken in combination with other anticancer drugs like palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib.

They may raise your outcome. But they could also enhance the risk of side effects.

Your doctor will check your blood and health now and then if you get a combination regimen.

Never take other medication on your own.

Taking medication combinations without consultation could be detrimental to you.

Storage

Keep Fulvestrant in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C. Do not freeze.

Store in the original box and protect it from sunlight. Use as directed by your doctor or nurse.

Never use the injection when it has expired or seems different from before.