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Toremifene

(tore em' i feen)

Why is this medication prescribed?   Return to top

Toremifene is used to treat 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.

How should this medicine be used?   Return to top

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. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take toremifene exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Take toremifene with water or any other nonalcoholic beverage.

Other uses for this medicine   Return to top

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?   Return to top

Before taking toremifene,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to toremifene, or any other medications.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: amiodarone (Cordarone); certain antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S, Erythrocin), and troleandomycin (TAO) (not available in the U.S.); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); certain antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral); carbamazepine (Epitrol, Equetro, Tegretol); cimetidine (Tagamet); clonazepam (Klonopin); diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, others); diuretics ('water pills'); fluvoxamine; certain HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), and ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra); nefazodone; phenobarbital; phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); rifabutin (Mycobutin); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Verelan). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with toremifene, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
• tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. Johns wort.
• tell your doctor if your cancer has spread to your bones and if you have or have ever had any condition that causes your blood to clot more easily than normal, endometrial hyperplasia (overgrowth of the lining of the uterus), or liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking toremifene, call your doctor. Toremifene may harm the fetus.
• 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.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?   Return to top

Talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while you are taking this medicine.

What should I do if I forget a dose?   Return to top

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.

What side effects can this medication cause?   Return to top

Toremifene may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• hot flashes
• sweating
• blurred or abnormal vision
• sensitivity to light or seeing halos around lights
• difficulty seeing at night
• fading or yellowing of colors
• dry eyes
• unusual vaginal discharge
• dizziness
• swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• vaginal bleeding
• sleepiness
• constipation
• frequent urination
• nausea
• vomiting

Some people who took toremifene developed cancer of the lining of the uterus. There is not enough information to tell if toremifene caused these people to develop cancer. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this medication.

Toremifene may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?   Return to top

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). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose   Return to top

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• headache
• nausea
• vomiting
• dizziness
• hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
• unsteadiness
• hot flashes
• vaginal bleeding

What other information should I know?   Return to top

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to toremifene.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Brand names   Return to top

Last Revised - 01/01/2008
Last Reviewed - 01/01/2008

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer

The MedMaster™ Patient Drug Information database provides information copyrighted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland Copyright© 2008. All Rights Reserved.

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