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Toremifene

  • Important: If you experience any swelling or tenderness in your leg, unexplained shortness of breath, sudden chest pain, vaginal bleeding, any changes in vaginal discharge, pevic pain or pressure contact your doctor immediately
  • Before having any kind of medical treatment, including dental or emergency treatment, tell the doctor, surgeon, dentist, or other medical professional, that you are taking toremifene
  • Keep your regular appointments with your doctor so your progress can be monitored

About toremifene

Type of medicine Hormone antagonist
Used for Treatment of breast cancer in postmenopausal women
Also called Fareston
Available as Tablets

Some breast cancers need the hormone oestrogen to grow. These cancers cells have receptors on their surface that oestrogen can attach to and are called 'oestrogen-receptor-positive' breast cancer. Toremifene works by blocking the oestrogen-receptors therefore preventing oestrogen from reaching the cancer cells causing the cancer to either completely stop growing or to reduce the rate at which it grows.

Before taking toremifene

Before taking toremifene make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you suffer from liver problems
  • If you have ever suffered from blood clots or strokes
  • If you have been experiencing irregular or unusual vaginal bleeding
  • If you have not gone through the menopause
  • If you have a thickening of the womb lining
  • If you have a heart condition, angina or diabetes
  • If you are suffering from secondary bone cancer
  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding

How to take toremifene

  • Take your medication exactly as directed by your doctor
  • Take each dose of this medicine at the same times each day to avoid missing a dose. If in doubt speak to your pharmacist or doctor.
  • If you vomit shortly after taking a dose, or you forget a dose, check with your doctor. You will be told whether to take the dose again, or to wait until the next dose is due.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Keep your regular appointments with your doctor so your progress can be monitored
  • Before having any kind of medical treatment, including dental or emergency treatment, tell the doctor, surgeon, dentist, or other medical professional, that you are taking toremifene
  • If you have diabetes your blood sugar levels may be affected. Test your urine or blood regularly and report any extreme changes to your doctor.
  • Only stop taking toremifene if you have been advised to do so by your doctor

Can toremifene cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Side-effects What can I do if I experience this
Nausea (feeling sick) Eat little and often. Stick to simple foods such as dry toast
Vomiting Drink plenty of liquid. Stick to simple foods such as dry toast.
Constipation Try to eat a well balanced diet containing plenty of fibre and drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day.
Skin rash Avoid scrubbing your skin. Use a soap substitute. Leave the affected area exposed to the air as much as possible.
Headache Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable pain-killer. If headache continues speak with your doctor.
Light-headedness, dizziness, problems with vision Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert or able to see properly. Avoid alcohol; it will increase any feelings of drowsiness.

Important: If you experience any swelling or tenderness in your leg, unexplained shortness of breath, sudden chest pain, vaginal bleeding, any changes in vaginal discharge, pelvic pain or pressure, contact your doctor immediately

Other side-effects include hot flushes, sweating, vaginal discharge, tiredness, itching, depression, weight increase, swelling due to fluid retention, sleep disorders, skin discolouration, chest or back pain and loss of appetite. If you experience these or any other worrying symptoms, which you think may be due to this medicine, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store toremifene

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
© EMIS 2007 DocID:
3746		 DocRef:
dils3743		 Last Updated:
8 Mar 2007		 Date of Next Review:
7 Mar 2009		 Version:
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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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