Fulevex Adverse Reactions

The most common adverse effects of fulvestrant are adverse GI effects (e.g., nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain), headache, back pain, vasodilation (hot flushes), and pharyngitis, which occurred in approximately 52, 15, 14, 18, and 16% of patients, respectively, who received the drug in clinical studies. Other adverse effects occurring in 5-23% of patients receiving fulvestrant (in order of descending frequency) include asthenia, pain, nutritional disorders, bone pain, dyspnea, injection site pain, increased cough, pelvic pain, anorexia, peripheral edema, rash, chest pain, flu syndrome, dizziness, insomnia, fever, paresthesia, urinary tract infection, depression, anxiety, and sweating. Injection site reactions with mild transient pain and inflammation were reported in 7% of patients receiving a single 5-mL injection of fulvestrant in one study and in 27% of those who received two 2.5-mL injections of the drug in another study.
Vaginal bleeding has been reported infrequently (less than 1%), usually during the first 6 weeks of changing from existing hormonal therapy to fulvestrant; however, if bleeding persists, the manufacturer states that further clinical evaluations may be necessary.
Combination therapy with palbociclib: See palbociclib local Prescribing Information for Adverse Reactions.