Links to other pages within Patient UK which are related to this topic:
Experience | News | Products | Other

Print options:

Other options:

Toremifene

Post your experience

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.

DocID:
3746

DocRef:
dils3743

Last Updated:
8 Mar 2007

Date of Next Review:
7 Mar 2009

Version:
22

The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.

Patient UK Hearing Impairment Survey

Patient UK are grateful to the 550 people who took part in this survey.
To see the results click here.
If you'd like to leave your feedback, please go to our interactive forum.

Links to other pages within Patient UK which are related to this topic:
Experience | News | Products | Other

Print options:

Other options:

Advert

Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.

Related pages in Patient UK

Your Experience (^ top of page)

Please add your experience about this condition / medicine

Patient UK Newspaper (^ top of page)

Latest Health News

View current health news

Other - Useful resources (^ top of page)

Pictures, diagrams, photos, images, etc.
Evidence based medicine
Online textbooks and journals
UK Guidelines
Online Videos
Medline
Other good health sites

Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Information Leaflets which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Support Groups which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Medicines & Drugs which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of diagrams which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of PatientPlus (detailed reference) articles which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of UK Guidelines which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of other selected websites which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Poems and Stories which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Operations and Procedures which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Online Videos which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links through to our interactive forum.
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to news stories on this subject in our Online Newspaper

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to related products

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to other useful sources of information

Click here to open a printer-friendly version of this document, in a new window, together with the print dialogue box

Click here to open this document in PDF format
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document

Click here to listen to the MP3 audio recording of this document

Click here to download the audio recording of this document as a podcast, for listening to at your leisure

Click here to open our Dictionaries and Glossaries page

Click here to see related products in our Online Pharmacy
Note: this will open in a new window

Click here to add this page to a social bookmarking site of your choice

Click here if you want to find out more about social bookmarking. This link will take you to the Wikipedia explanation
Note: this will open in a new window