Drug Reference

Fulvestrant

Anti-estrogens

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Fact box

Therapeutic class
Anti-estrogens
Action class
Estrogen Receptor Antagonist
Mechanism
Estrogen Receptor Antagonists
Habit forming
No
Availability
Prescription (Rx)

Brand names

CligavyxFaslodex

Available as

5 ML · Prefilled Syringe

FDA label sections are from openFDA and may not reflect the most recent labeling — confirm against the current DailyMed label.

Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Fulvestrant Injection is an estrogen receptor antagonist indicated for the treatment of: Hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women not previously treated with endocrine therapy. ( 1 ) HR-positive advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women with disease progression following endocrine therapy. ( 1 ) HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women in combination with ribociclib, as initial endocrine based therapy or following disease progression on endocrine therapy. ( 1 ) HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer in combination with palbociclib or abemaciclib in women with disease progression after endocrine therapy. ( 1 ) Monotherapy Fulvestrant Injection is indicated for the treatment of: Hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women not previously treated with endocrine therapy, or HR-positive advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women with disease progression following endocrine therapy. Combination Therapy Fulvestrant Injection is indicated for the treatment of: HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women in combination with ribociclib as initial endocrine based therapy or following disease progression on endocrine therapy. HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer in combination with palbociclib or abemaciclib in women with disease progression after endocrine therapy.
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Many breast cancers have estrogen receptors (ER) and the growth of these tumors can be stimulated by estrogen. Fulvestrant is an estrogen receptor antagonist that binds to the estrogen receptor in a competitive manner with affinity comparable to that of estradiol and downregulates the ER protein in human breast cancer cells. In vitro studies demonstrated that fulvestrant is a reversible inhibitor of the growth of tamoxifen-resistant, as well as estrogen-sensitive human breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines. In in vivo tumor studies, fulvestrant delayed the establishment of tumors from xenografts of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells in nude mice. Fulvestrant inhibited the growth of established MCF-7 xenografts and of tamoxifen-resistant breast tumor xenografts. Fulvestrant showed no agonist-type effects in in vivo uterotrophic assays in immature or ovariectomized mice and rats. In in vivo studies in immature rats and ovariectomized monkeys, fulvestrant blocked the uterotrophic action of estradiol. In postmenopausal women, the absence of changes in plasma concentrations of FSH and LH in response to fulvestrant treatment (250 mg monthly) suggests no peripheral steroidal effects.
How to use / dosing
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Fulvestrant Injection 500 mg should be administered intramuscularly into the buttocks (gluteal area) slowly (1 - 2 minutes per injection) as two 5 mL injections, one in each buttock, on Days 1, 15, 29, and once monthly thereafter. ( 2.1 , 14 ) A dose of 250 mg is recommended in patients with moderate hepatic impairment to be administered intramuscularly into the buttock (gluteal area) slowly (1 - 2 minutes) as one 5 mL injection on Days 1, 15, 29, and once monthly thereafter. ( 2.2 , 5.2 , 8.6 ) 2.1 Recommended Dose Monotherapy The recommended dose of Fulvestrant Injection is 500 mg to be administered intramuscularly into the buttocks (gluteal area) slowly (1 - 2 minutes per injection) as two 5 mL injections, one in each buttock, on Days 1, 15, 29, and once monthly thereafter [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )]. Combination Therapy When Fulvestrant Injection is used in combination with palbociclib, abemaciclib, or ribociclib, the recommended dose of Fulvestrant Injection is 500 mg to be administered intramuscularly into the buttocks (gluteal area) slowly (1 - 2 minutes per injection) as two 5 mL injections, one in each buttock, on Days 1, 15, 29, and once monthly thereafter. When Fulvestrant Injection is used in combination with palbociclib, the recommended dose of palbociclib is a 125 mg capsule taken orally once daily for 21 consecutive days followed by 7 days off treatment to comprise a complete cycle of 28 days. Palbociclib should be taken with food. Refer to the Full Prescribing Information for palbociclib. When Fulvestrant Injection is used in combination with abemaciclib, the recommended dose of abemaciclib is 150 mg orally, twice daily. Abemaciclib may be taken with or without food. Refer to the Full Prescribing Information for abemaciclib. When Fulvestrant Injection is used in combination with ribociclib, the recommended dose of ribociclib is 600 mg taken orally, once daily for 21 consecutive days followed by 7 days off treatment resulting in a complete cycle of 28 days. Ribociclib can be taken with or without food. Refer to the Full Prescribing Information for ribociclib. Pre/perimenopausal women treated with the combination of Fulvestrant Injection plus palbociclib, abemaciclib, or ribociclib should be treated with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists according to current clinical practice standards [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )]. 2.2 Dose Modification Monotherapy Hepatic Impairment A dose of 250 mg is recommended for patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class B) to be administered intramuscularly into the buttock (gluteal area) slowly (1 - 2 minutes) as one 5 mL injection on Days 1, 15, 29 and once monthly thereafter. Fulvestrant Injection has not been evaluated in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class C) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6 )]. Combination Therapy When Fulvestrant Injection is used in combination with palbociclib, abemaciclib, or ribociclib, refer to monotherapy dose modification instructions for Fulvestrant Injection. Refer to the Full Prescribing Information of co-administered palbociclib, abemaciclib, or ribociclib for dose modification guidelines in the event of toxicities, for use with concomitant medications, and other relevant safety information. 2.3 Administration Technique Administer the injection according to the local guidelines for performing large volume intramuscular injections. NOTE: Due to the proximity of the underlying sciatic nerve, caution should be taken if administering Fulvestrant Injection at the dorsogluteal injection site [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ) and Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . The proper method of administration of Fulvestrant Injection for intramuscular use is described in the following instructions. For each single-dose prefilled syringe: Remove glass syringe barrel from tray and check that it is not damaged. Remove perforated patient record l
Side effects
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling: Risk of Bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Increased Exposure in Patients with Hepatic Impairment [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Injection Site Reaction [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Embryo-Fetal Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] The most common adverse reactions occurring in ≥5% of patients receiving Fulvestrant Injection 500 mg were: injection site pain, nausea, bone pain, arthralgia, headache, back pain, fatigue, pain in extremity, hot flash, vomiting, anorexia, asthenia, musculoskeletal pain, cough, dyspnea, and constipation. ( 6.1 ) Increased hepatic enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP) occurred in >15% of Fulvestrant Injection patients and were not dose-dependent. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Meitheal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-844-824-8426 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, the adverse reaction rates observed cannot be directly compared to rates in other trials and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. Monotherapy Comparison of Fulvestrant Injection 500 mg and Fulvestrant Injection 250 mg (CONFIRM) The following adverse reactions (ARs) were calculated based on the safety analysis of CONFIRM comparing the administration of Fulvestrant Injection 500 mg intramuscularly once a month with Fulvestrant Injection 250 mg intramuscularly once a month. The most frequently reported adverse reactions in the Fulvestrant Injection 500 mg group were injection site pain (11.6% of patients), nausea (9.7% of patients), and bone pain (9.4% of patients); the most frequently reported adverse reactions in the Fulvestrant Injection 250 mg group were nausea (13.6% of patients), back pain (10.7% of patients), and injection site pain (9.1% of patients). Table 1 lists adverse reactions reported with an incidence of 5% or greater, regardless of assessed causality, from CONFIRM. Table 1: Adverse Reactions in CONFIRM (≥5% in Either Treatment Group) 1 Including more severe injection site related sciatica, neuralgia, neuropathic pain, and peripheral neuropathy. Adverse Reactions Fulvestrant Injection 500 mg N=361 % Fulvestrant Injection 250 mg N=374 % Body as a Whole Injection Site Pain 1 12 9 Headache 8 7 Back Pain 8 11 Fatigue 8 6 Pain in Extremity 7 7 Asthenia 6 6 Vascular System Hot Flash 7 6 Digestive System Nausea 10 14 Vomiting 6 6 Anorexia 6 4 Constipation 5 4 Musculoskeletal System Bone Pain 9 8 Arthralgia 8 8 Musculoskeletal Pain 6 3 Respiratory System Cough 5 5 Dyspnea 4 5 In the pooled safety population (N=1127) from clinical trials comparing Fulvestrant Injection 500 mg to Fulvestrant Injection 250 mg, post-baseline increases of ≥1 CTC grade in either AST, ALT, or alkaline phosphatase were observed in >15% of patients receiving Fulvestrant Injection. Grade 3-4 increases were observed in 1-2% of patients. The incidence and severity of increased hepatic enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP) did not differ between the 250 mg and the 500 mg Fulvestrant Injection arms. Comparison of Fulvestrant Injection 500 mg and Anastrozole 1 mg (FALCON) The safety of Fulvestrant Injection 500 mg versus anastrozole 1 mg was evaluated in FALCON. The data described below reflect exposure to Fulvestrant Injection in 228 out of 460 patients with HR-positive advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women not previously treated with endocrine therapy who received at least one (1) dose of treatment in FALCON. Permanent discontinuation associated with an adverse reaction occurred in 4 of 228 (1.8%) patients receiving Fulvestrant Injection, and in 3 of 232 (1.3%) patients receiving anastrozole. Adverse reactions leading to discontinuation for those patients receiving Fulvestrant Injection included drug hypersensitivity (0.9%), injection site hypersensitivity (0.4%), and elevat

Safety advice

Conservative summary derived from FDA labeling — defaults to “consult your doctor” unless the label is explicit. Not a substitute for your clinician’s advice.

PregnancyUnsafe
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Based on findings from animal studies and its mechanism of action, Fulvestrant Injection can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.1 )]. There are no available data in pregnant women to inform the drug-associated risk. In animal reproduction studies, administration of fulvestrant to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis caused embryo-fetal toxicity, including skeletal malformations and fetal loss, at daily doses that were 6% and 30% of the maximum recommended human dose based on mg/m 2 , respectively [see Data ] . Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Administration of fulvestrant to rats prior to and up to implantation caused embryonic loss at daily doses that were 0.6% of the daily maximum recommended human dose based on mg/m 2 . When fulvestrant was administered to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis, intramuscular doses ≥0.1 mg/kg/day (6% of the human recommended dose based on mg/m 2 ) caused effects on embryo-fetal development consistent with its antiestrogenic activity. Fulvestrant caused an increased incidence of fetal abnormalities in rats (tarsal flexure of the hind paw at 2 mg/kg/day; equivalent to the human dose based on mg/m 2 ) and non-ossification of the odontoid and ventral tubercle of the first cervical vertebra at doses ≥0.1 mg/kg/day. Fulvestrant administered at 2 mg/kg/day caused fetal loss. When administered to pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis, fulvestrant caused pregnancy loss at an intramuscular dose of 1 mg/kg/day (equivalent to the human dose based on mg/m 2 ). Further, at 0.25 mg/kg/day (30% the human dose based on mg/m 2 ), fulvestrant caused increases in placental weight and post-implantation loss in rabbits. Fulvestrant was associated with an increased incidence of fetal variations in rabbits (backwards displacement of the pelvic girdle, and 27 pre-sacral vertebrae at 0.25 mg/kg/day; 30% the human dose based on mg/m 2 ) when administered during the period of organogenesis.
BreastfeedingConsult your doctor
8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Lactation: Advise not to breastfeed.…
AlcoholNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
DrivingNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
KidneyNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
LiverConsult your doctor
…2.1 , 14 ) A dose of 250 mg is recommended in patients with moderate hepatic impairment to be administered intramuscularly into the buttock (gluteal area) slowly (1 - 2 minutes) as one 5 mL injection on Days 1, 15, 29, and once monthly thereafter.…
Warnings & precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Risk of Bleeding: Use with caution in patients with bleeding diatheses, thrombocytopenia, or anticoagulant use. ( 5.1 ) Increased Exposure in Patients with Hepatic Impairment: Use a 250 mg dose for patients with moderate hepatic impairment. ( 2.2 , 5.2 , 8.6 ) Injection Site Reaction: Use caution while administering Fulvestrant Injection at the dorsogluteal injection site due to the proximity of the underlying sciatic nerve. ( 5.3 ) Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Can cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception. ( 5.4 , 8.1 , 8.3 ) Immunoassay Measurement of Serum Estradiol: Fulvestrant Injection can interfere with estradiol measurement by immunoassay, resulting in falsely elevated estradiol levels. ( 5.5 ) 5.1 Risk of Bleeding Because Fulvestrant Injection is administered intramuscularly, it should be used with caution in patients with bleeding diatheses, thrombocytopenia, or anticoagulant use. 5.2 Increased Exposure in Patients with Hepatic Impairment The safety and pharmacokinetics of Fulvestrant Injection were evaluated in a study in seven subjects with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class B) and seven subjects with normal hepatic function. Exposure was increased in patients with moderate hepatic impairment, therefore a dose of 250 mg is recommended [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 )]. Fulvestrant Injection has not been studied in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class C) [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6 )]. 5.3 Injection Site Reaction Injection site related events including sciatica, neuralgia, neuropathic pain, and peripheral neuropathy have been reported with Fulvestrant Injection. Caution should be taken while administering Fulvestrant Injection at the dorsogluteal injection site due to the proximity of the underlying sciatic nerve [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 ) and Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . 5.4 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on findings from animal studies and its mechanism of action, Fulvestrant Injection can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In animal reproduction studies, administration of fulvestrant to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis resulted in embryo-fetal toxicity at daily doses that are significantly less than the maximum recommended human dose. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with Fulvestrant Injection and for one year after the last dose [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 ), ( 8.3 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.1 )]. 5.5 Immunoassay Measurement of Serum Estradiol Due to structural similarity of fulvestrant and estradiol, Fulvestrant Injection can interfere with estradiol measurement by immunoassay, resulting in falsely elevated estradiol levels.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Fulvestrant Injection is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to the drug or to any of its components. Hypersensitivity reactions, including urticaria and angioedema, have been reported in association with Fulvestrant Injection [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )]. Hypersensitivity. ( 4 )

Pediatric use

8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. A multi-center, single-arm, open-label, study of fulvestrant was conducted in 30 girls with McCune-Albright Syndrome (MAS) associated with Progressive Precocious Puberty (PPP). The median age at informed consent was 6 years old (range: 1 to 8). The first 10 patients initially received fulvestrant 2 mg/kg. Based on PK data from the first 6 patients, all 10 patients receiving 2 mg/kg were escalated to a dose of 4 mg/kg and all other patients received 4 mg/kg from study entry. Baseline measurements for vaginal bleeding days, bone age, growth velocity, and Tanner staging for at least 6 months prior to study entry were provided retrospectively by the parent, guardian or local consultant. All measurements during the study period were collected prospectively. Patients' baseline characteristics included the following: a mean ± SD chronological age of 5.9 ± 1.8 years; a mean rate of bone age advancement (change in bone age in years divided by change in chronological age in years) of 2.0 ± 1.03; and a mean growth velocity z-score of 2.4 ± 3.26. Twenty-nine of 30 patients completed the 12-month study period. The following results were observed: 35% (95% CI: 16%, 57%) of the 23 patients with baseline vaginal bleeding experienced a complete cessation of vaginal bleeding on-treatment (month 0 to 12); a reduction in the rate of bone age advancement during the 12-month study period compared to baseline (mean change=-0.9 [95% CI: -1.4, -0.4]); and a reduction in mean growth velocity Z-score on-treatment compared to baseline (mean change=-1.1 [95% CI: -2.7, 0.4]). There were no clinically meaningful changes in median Tanner stage (breast or pubic), mean uterine volume, or mean ovarian volume, or predicted adult height (PAH) on-treatment compared to baseline. The effect of Fulvestrant Injection on bone mineral density in children has not been studied and is not known. Eight patients (27%) experienced adverse reactions that were considered possibly related to Fulvestrant Injection. These included injection site reactions (inflammation, pain, hematoma, pruritus, rash), abdominal pain, contusion, tachycardia, hot flash, extremity pain, and vomiting. Nine (30%) patients reported an SAE, none of which were considered related to Fulvestrant Injection. No patients discontinued study treatment due to an AE and no patients died. Pharmacokinetics The pharmacokinetics of fulvestrant was characterized using a population pharmacokinetic analysis with sparse samples per patient obtained from 30 female pediatric patients aged 1 to 8 years with PPP associated with MAS. Pharmacokinetic data from 294 postmenopausal women with breast cancer who received 125 or 250 mg monthly dosing regimen were also included in the analysis. In these pediatric patients receiving 4 mg/kg monthly intramuscular dose of fulvestrant, the geometric mean (SD) CL/F was 444 (165) mL/min which was 32% lower than adults.

⚑ About half of pediatric medication use is off-label and not described in FDA labels — absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children. Confirm with your clinician.

Interactions (label text — not an interaction checker)
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS There are no known drug-drug interactions. Although, fulvestrant is metabolized by CYP 3A4 in vitro , drug interactions studies with ketoconazole or rifampin did not alter fulvestrant pharmacokinetics. Dose adjustment is not needed in patients co-prescribed CYP 3A4 inhibitors or inducers [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . There are no known drug-drug interactions. ( 7 )
Overdose
10 OVERDOSAGE Human experience of overdose with Fulvestrant Injection is limited. There are isolated reports of overdose with Fulvestrant Injection in humans. No adverse reactions were seen in healthy male and female volunteers who received intravenous fulvestrant, which resulted in peak plasma concentrations at the end of the infusion, that were approximately 10 to 15 times those seen after intramuscular injection. The potential toxicity of fulvestrant at these or higher concentrations in cancer patients who may have additional comorbidities is unknown. There is no specific treatment in the event of fulvestrant overdose, and symptoms of overdose are not established. In the event of an overdose, healthcare practitioners should follow general supportive measures and should treat symptomatically.
Current FDA labels (DailyMed)

3 marketed products on record (RxNorm)

Reference only — not clinical advice. Verify against current FDA labeling and consult a licensed provider. About half of pediatric drug use is off-label and is not reflected in FDA labels; absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children.