Faslodex

ANYONE???
USING IT????? I'M ABOUT TO BE SWITCHED, SO I'D LIKE TO HEAR SOME STORIES, IF YOU HAVE ANY.

Faslodex
Faslodex was approved in 2002, so it's not a new drug. It is a shot in the buttocks or hips. It is classified as an ERD (estrogen receptor downregulator) hormonal therapy not an aromatase inhibitor.

It has recently had approval of injecting 500 mg instead of 250 mg.

I chose this drug after my 3rd recurrence and was given a booster of 500 mg the first time, 2 weeks later I received a 250 mg shot and 2 weeks later another 250. A ct scan showed that I stop the tumors in their tracks (widespread pulmonary and pleural metastasis). From that point on I received one 250 mg once a month. The shot of 250 mg is $2000.00. When I had the 500 mg as a booster it was $4000.00 that day. I was a little shock!

There was little progress with this drug and I remain on it for 7 months until progression.

I inquired recently from my oncologist if we could do Faslodex again since the dosage was increase. The reply was the benefit is limited and it was the drug company that pushed for the higher dose. $4000.00 is better than $2000.00 in their pockets.

The shot doesn't hurt, at least for me it didn't. If you place all your weight on the side that isn't receiving the shot. The side that is, the muscle is relaxed and that helps a lot.

It works for some, it doesn't for others. One never knows until one tries. For me it wasn't a great drug compared to AI.

SIROD

SIROD said:

Faslodex
Faslodex was approved in 2002, so it's not a new drug. It is a shot in the buttocks or hips. It is classified as an ERD (estrogen receptor downregulator) hormonal therapy not an aromatase inhibitor.

It has recently had approval of injecting 500 mg instead of 250 mg.

I chose this drug after my 3rd recurrence and was given a booster of 500 mg the first time, 2 weeks later I received a 250 mg shot and 2 weeks later another 250. A ct scan showed that I stop the tumors in their tracks (widespread pulmonary and pleural metastasis). From that point on I received one 250 mg once a month. The shot of 250 mg is $2000.00. When I had the 500 mg as a booster it was $4000.00 that day. I was a little shock!

There was little progress with this drug and I remain on it for 7 months until progression.

I inquired recently from my oncologist if we could do Faslodex again since the dosage was increase. The reply was the benefit is limited and it was the drug company that pushed for the higher dose. $4000.00 is better than $2000.00 in their pockets.

The shot doesn't hurt, at least for me it didn't. If you place all your weight on the side that isn't receiving the shot. The side that is, the muscle is relaxed and that helps a lot.

It works for some, it doesn't for others. One never knows until one tries. For me it wasn't a great drug compared to AI.

SIROD

Question to Doris
Hi Dorris,

I am not sure weather or not I understand correctly about your treatment: you have been taking both Faslodex and Femara?
Thanks

SIROD said:

To Reply to your Question New Flower
I am on my 4th hormonal, (Tamoxifen, Arimidex, Faslodex, and Femara). Tomorrow I receive the results of my PET/CT scan taken today.

Hoping and etc. to stay on Femara. It's the drug that I have a love/hate relationship with due to the pain it gives me. It increases the pain on another medical condition that I have. I always say the devil you know is better than the devil you don't.

We will see what the results of today's PET/CT scan is, as where things are now.

You can only do one drug on the hormonal therapy at a time.

Best,

Doris

How did your pt/ct scan go, sirod?
and just trying to keep this up in case anyone else has any advice. I start on the Fasladex next week.