What is Fareston: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Fareston overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Fareston

Generic Names:

  • Toremifene Citrate

Uses:

  • Treats breast cancer in postmenopausal (no longer have menstrual periods) women.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antiestrogen

Forms:

  • Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Fareston used for?

What form(s) does Fareston come in

  • Tablet

What are common Fareston doses?

  • Tablet 60MG

Common Fareston prescriptions

  • Fareston
    60mg tablet

How to take Fareston

  • Oral routeMedicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Oral routeMedicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

What to do if you miss a dose of Fareston

  • Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Oral routeAsk your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.

Fareston contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to toremifene citrate, or if you are pregnant or have heart rhythm problems (including congenital or acquired long QT syndrome).

Fareston warnings

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. It is important for women to have regular gynecologic check-ups while taking this medicine.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Changes in heart rhythm, including QT prolongationLiver problemsTumor flare (increased size of a tumor)Uterus (womb) problems

  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease (including cirrhosis), congestive heart failure, bone problems (including bone cancer), uterus problems, or a history of blood clots.

  • Pregnancy after menopause is not likely, but if you think you could be pregnant, tell your doctor. This medicine could harm an unborn baby. If you are a woman who can bear children, your doctor may give you a pregnancy test before you start using this medicine to make sure you are not pregnant. Women should use an effective form of birth control during treatment with toremifene.

Fareston interactions

  • This medicine may cause you to have bleeding from the vagina, especially when you first start using it. If the bleeding continues or is bothersome, check with your doctor right away.

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

  • Hypercalcemia (high calcium in the blood) and tumor flare (increased size of a tumor) are more likely to occur in patients with bone problems who are taking this medicine. Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you have abdominal or stomach pain, confusion, constipation, depression, dry mouth, increased urination, loss of appetite, metallic taste, muscle weakness, pain and swelling in the bones and muscles surrounding a tumor, thirst, unusual tiredness, or weight loss.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. It is important for women to have regular gynecologic check-ups while taking this medicine.

  • Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

  • Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

  • Some medicines can affect how toremifene works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Atazanavir, carbamazepine, dexamethasone, granisetron, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, midazolam, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ondansetron, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifabutin, rifampin, ritonavir, saquinavir, St John's wort, tolbutamide, voriconazoleDiuretic (water pill)Medicine for depression or mental health problemsMedicine for heart rhythm problemsMedicine to treat an infection

Fareston side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Vaginal bleeding.

  • Vaginal bleeding or discharge

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, weakness

  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

  • Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches

  • Fainting, dizziness, lightheadedness, fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat

  • Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

  • Confusion, constipation, dry mouth, thirst, unusual tiredness

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Loss of appetite, or nausea or vomiting.

  • Sweating

  • Dizziness

  • Swelling or bloating.

  • Pain, tenderness, or redness in your joints, bones, muscles, trunk, or back.

  • Hot flashes and sweating.

  • Vaginal bleeding.

  • Warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest

  • Loss of coordination.

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