DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Toremifene (TORE-em-i-feen)
Brand Name: Fareston

Fareston is used for:

Treating breast cancer in women past menopause with estrogen-dependent tumors or unknown tumors. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Fareston is an antiestrogen. It works by blocking the effects of estrogen on certain body tissues, including breast tissue. This helps block the growth of estrogen-activated tumors.

Do NOT use Fareston if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Fareston

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Fareston :

Some medical conditions may interact with Fareston . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have bone cancer or a growth of the endometrium
• if you have a history of blood clots, cancer, or decreased blood platelets or white blood cells

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Fareston . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Ketoconazole or macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin) because the actions and side effects of Fareston may be increased
• Fluorouracil, mitomycin C, or thiazide diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide) because the risk of side effects may be increased
• Carbamazepine, phenobarbital, or rifampin because the effectiveness of this medicine may be decreased
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or hydantoins (eg, phenytoin) because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Fareston may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Fareston :

Use Fareston as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Fareston may be taken with or without food.
• If you miss a dose of Fareston , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Fareston .

Important safety information:

• Fareston may cause dizziness or changes in vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Fareston . Using Fareston alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• If Fareston causes nausea or vomiting, ask your doctor or pharmacist about ways to minimize this effect.
• LAB TESTS, including complete blood cell counts, calcium levels, and liver function tests, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Fareston is not recommended for use in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Fareston has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Fareston during pregnancy. It is unknown if Fareston is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Fareston , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Fareston :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; hot flashes; joint pain; loss of appetite; nausea; sweating; swelling of the hands or feet; tiredness; vaginal discharge; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); change in vision; chest pain; confusion; depression; flushing; hallucinations; irregular heartbeat; muscle pain; unusual bleeding or bruising ; vaginal bleeding .

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include dizziness; hallucinations; headache; hot flashes; nausea; loss of coordination; vaginal bleeding; vomiting.

Proper storage of Fareston :

Store Fareston at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Fareston out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Fareston , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Fareston is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Fareston . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.