The basics
Toremifene (brand name-Fareston) is an FDA-approved treatment for breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body in women who have experienced menopause (‘change of life’; end of monthly menstrual periods).
Toremifene is in a class of medications called nonsteroidal antiestrogens. It works by blocking the activity of estrogen (a female hormone) in the breast. This may stop the growth of some breast tumors that need estrogen to grow.
Let us walk you through the key things you need to know about Toremifene.
Make sure you read the IMPORTANT WARNING at the end of this article.
How should I take Toremifene (Fareston)?
Toremifene comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food once a day. Take toremifene at around the same time every day. Take toremifene exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling during your treatment. You can help them by tracking your side effects in Ankr.
What are the side effects of Toremifene (Fareston)?
Common side effects
- hot flashes
- sweating
- blurred or abnormal vision
- sensitivity to light or seeing halos around lights
- dry eyes
- sleepiness
- swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- muscle pain or weakness
- joint pain
- abdominal pain
- constipation
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- vomiting
Toremifene may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication. If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
Use the free Ankr platform or Ankr app to track your symptoms.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking toremifene (Fareston)
- tell your doctor about your allergies
- tell your doctor about other intakes
- tell your doctor if yiu have or ever had any diasese, symptom, or treatment
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
While you are on toremifene (Fareston)
- If you become pregnant while taking toremifene, call your doctor. Toremifene may harm the fetus.
- tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should not breastfeed while taking toremifene.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking toremifene.
- you should know that your tumor may grow slightly bigger when you begin treatment with toremifene. If this happens, you may experience redness of the skin and bone pain. This is normal and does not mean that your cancer is worsening. As you continue your treatment with toremifene, your tumor will shrink.
I forgot a dose. What should I do?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
In case of an emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can’t be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include the following:
- headache
- nausea
- vomiting
- dizziness
- hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
- unsteadiness
- hot flashes
- vaginal bleeding
How should I safely store and dispose of Toremifene (Fareston)?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light, excess heat, and moisture (not in the bathroom).
You should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are taking this medicine.
Brand names
- Fareston®
Last Revised – 06/25/2023, FDA updated-08/20/2020, SG
Toremifene may cause QT prolongation (an irregular heart rhythm that can lead to fainting, loss of consciousness, seizures, or sudden death). Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had long QT syndrome (an inherited condition in which a person is more likely to have QT prolongation) or you have or have ever had low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood, an irregular heartbeat, heart failure, or liver disease.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking amitriptyline (Elavil); antifungals such as ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), or voriconazole (Vfend); clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); granisetron (Kytril); haloperidol (Haldol); certain medications for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) such as atazanavir (Reyataz), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), and saquinavir (Invirase); certain medications for irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), disopyramide (Norpace), dofetilide (Tikosyn), ibutilide (Corvert), procainamide (Procanbid, Pronestyl), quinidine, and sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF); levofloxacin (Levaquin); nefazodone; ofloxacin; ondansetron (Zofran); telithromycin (Ketek); thioridazine; and venlafaxine (Effexor).
If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop taking toremifene and call your doctor immediately: fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat; fainting; loss of consciousness; or seizures.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to toremifene. Your doctor also may order electrocardiograms (EKGs, tests that record the electrical activity of the heart) before and during your treatment to be sure that it is safe for you to take toremifene.
Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking toremifene.
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