Has your doctor prescribed you a pill called Toremifene as a treatment for breast cancer? When you hear about this medicine, you probably have a lot of questions in your mind. Things like, 'What does this do?', 'What are the side effects?', 'What should I be concerned about?' Don't worry. Let's talk about all this simply and clearly.
What kind of medicine is Toremifene?
Simply put, this is a drug that blocks the action of a hormone called estrogen in your body. This hormone estrogen affects the growth of some types of breast cancer. So what this drug does is stop the stimulation that cancer cells get to grow. That's why it's used to treat some types of breast cancer.
Your doctor may prescribe this medicine for other conditions as well, so if you have any questions, ask your doctor.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before starting this medication, it is extremely important to inform your doctor about your complete health history. Be sure to tell him/her if you have any of the conditions listed below.
- Any type of heart disease.
- High levels of calcium in the blood.
- A history of blood clots.
- Irregular heartbeat.
- Liver disease.
- Conditions such as a decrease in the number of white blood cells, platelets, or red blood cells in the blood.
- Low levels of magnesium or potassium in the blood.
- If you have an allergic reaction to toremifene, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
- If you are a nursing mother.
How should I use this medicine?
Take this pill with a glass of water. Take it exactly as your doctor has told you, at the right time. You can take it before or after meals. Do not take more or less than your doctor has told you. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without medical advice.
Children may require special care when giving this medicine. So if you are giving this medicine to your child, talk to your pediatrician about it.
What if I overdose?
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never share it with anyone else who has the same symptoms as you.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
It is very important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements). Some medicines can interact with Toremifene and cause side effects. The table below lists some of these medicines.
| Drug category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Never take Toremifene with this medicine. | |
| Various medications | cisapride, dronedarone, fluconazole, pimozide, posaconazole, saquinavir, thioridazine, ziprasidone |
| These things may interact with Toremifene - inform your doctor | |
| Some medications taken for HIV or AIDS | (Antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS) |
| Some antibiotics | clarithromycin, telithromycin |
| Some diuretics | hydrochlorothiazide |
| Antifungal drugs | itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole |
| Medications for seizures | carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin |
| Anticoagulants | warfarin |
| Other medications and supplements | dexamethasone, rifabutin, rifampin, St. John's Wort, tolbutamide |
| Female hormones | Estrogens, birth control pills |
| Food and drink | Grapefruit juice |
This list is not complete. You should also tell your doctor about all the medications you take, and whether you smoke, drink alcohol, or take other drugs.
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
- Regular medical checkups: See your doctor regularly to get your health checked. You will need to have regular breast exams, mammograms, and pelvic exams.
- Bone Tumors: If you have cancerous tumors in your bones, this medicine may cause bone pain or high blood calcium levels. Ask your doctor about these symptoms and what to do if they occur.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding:
- Keep out of reach of children .
- Store at room temperature (between 15-30 Celsius).
- Keep away from strong sunlight and excessive heat.
- Keep the bottle cap tightly closed.
- Throw away expired medicine.
- Toremifene is a drug that treats some types of breast cancer by blocking the hormone estrogen in the body.
- Before starting the medication, tell your doctor about your complete health history and all other medications you are taking.
- Do not become pregnant for any reason while taking this medication. Also, avoid breastfeeding.
- Be aware of serious side effects such as signs of blood clots, unusual bleeding, and vision changes. If you notice any of these, seek medical advice immediately.
- Take the medicine as prescribed, at the right time. Never share it with others.
- If you have any questions or concerns about this medicine, talk to your doctor.
Do not become pregnant for any reason while taking this medicine. It may cause serious harm to an unborn baby. If you are planning to become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. Also, do not breastfeed while taking this medicine.
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medicine, Toremifene can cause side effects. Some are serious, while others are common.
| If these symptoms appear, inform your doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Allergy symptoms | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Bleeding symptoms | Black, tarry stools; red or dark brown urine; vomiting things that look like coffee grounds; red spots on the skin; unusual bleeding from the eyes, gums, or nose. |
| Symptoms of blood clots | Difficulty breathing; Vision changes; Chest pain; Sudden, severe headache; Leg pain, swelling, warmth; Difficulty speaking; Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg. |
| Changes in heart rate | Chest pain; dizziness; fast or irregular heartbeat; fainting, dizziness; difficulty breathing. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Dark yellow or brown urine; yellowing of the eyes or skin; fever; loss of appetite; nausea; pain in the right side of the stomach; unusual tiredness. |
| Other serious symptoms | Vision changes; bone pain; unusual vaginal discharge or bleeding. |
| If these side effects persist or become bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| Common side effects | Dizziness; hot flashes; loss of appetite; nausea, vomiting; sweating; unusual tiredness. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything unusual outside of these, talk to your doctor about it.
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