Fareston (Toremifene) for Breast Cancer

Overview
Fareston is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to delay the progression of metastatic, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Fareston was developed from tamoxifen to provide the same benefits with fewer side effects. It may also be prescribed in cases where it is not known whether or not the breast cancer is estrogen receptor-positive. Fareston is also known by its drug name, toremifene.

About two-thirds of breast cancers are estrogen receptor-positive, meaning that they require estrogen in order to grow. Fareston is a member of a class of drugs called selective estrogen receptor modulators, or SERM, that provide hormone therapy to treat or help prevent receptor-positive breast cancer. Fareston is believed to work by reducing the effect of estrogen in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers.

How do I take it?
Fareston is a pill taken orally once a day. You should not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking Fareston. Grapefruit may interact with Fareston and cause dangerous side effects.

While you are taking Fareston, your doctor may periodically order blood tests to check your blood cell counts, liver function and calcium levels.

Women of childbearing age should not handle or breathe dust from Fareston tablets.

Fareston is usually taken until breast cancer shows signs of progressing.

Always follow your doctor’s instructions exactly when taking Fareston.

Side effects
Common side effects of toremifene include hot flashes, sweating, nausea and vaginal discharge.

When you first begin taking Fareston, your tumor may grow before it begins to shrink. This may cause skin redness and musculoskeletal pain. The tumor will shrink after a few weeks of taking Fareston.

Fareston can increase your risk for stroke or heart problems. Call your doctor immediately if you experience pain or swelling in your legs, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, or sudden dizziness or confusion, loss of consciousness, difficulty walking or speaking, difficulty seeing in one or both eyes, or sudden tingling, weakness or numbness in your face, arm or leg, especially if the latter only occurs on one side of your body.

Fareston may contribute to the development of endometrial (uterine) cancer. While you are taking Fareston, notify your doctor immediately if you experience irregular vaginal bleeding, changes in your menstrual cycle, unusual vaginal discharge, or sensations of pain or pressure in your pelvic region.

Other serious side effects for which you should seek medical help include persistent nausea or vomiting, skin easily bruising or bleeding, dark urine, or yellowing of eyes or skin (jaundice).

For more information about this treatment, visit:

Fareston — Chemocare
http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/far...

Fareston — BreastCancer.org
https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal...