Skip to content

Home - AstraZeneca medicines    
Faslodex® (fulvestrant)
Alternative brand (trade) names:
 
 
 
 
What is Faslodex® ?
Faslodex contains the medicine fulvestrant, which belongs to a group of medicines called anti-oestrogens without agonist activity. Faslodex down-regulates the oestrogen receptor.
  to top
What is Faslodex® used for?
Faslodex is used to treat locally advanced or metastatic, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women who have been previously treated with anti-oestrogen therapy.
  to top
How does Faslodex® work?
  • Oestrogen is a female sex hormone (natural chemical produced by the body) that is known to be able to encourage the growth of some types of breast cancer cells.

  • Faslodex stops the action of oestrogen by preventing it from attaching itself (binding) to sites (called receptors) on cancer cells.

  • Faslodex also causes a decrease, or downregulation, in oestrogen receptor concentration and causes the receptors to change shape and become less functional; without functioning oestrogen receptors, oestrogen cannot signal the breast cancer cell to grow.

  • By stopping the actions of oestrogen, Faslodex is useful in slowing the growth of the tumour and may cause it to shrink.
  to top
How is Faslodex® given?
Faslodex is supplied as a solution for intra-muscular injection.
  to top
Country specific information
To consult your local information.

Any medical information on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. Read more important information.
  to top
Back to search
AstraZeneca websites
Search
List of conditions
 
AstraZeneca medicines
 
Quick links
Page services
> Bookmark this site
> Bookmark this page
> Printer friendlyPrinter friendly
> Print this chapterPrint this chapter
 Legal notice  Privacy policy    © AstraZeneca 2003