toremifene citrate at a glance
Medicine class
Selective oestrogen receptor modulator and anti-oestrogen endocrine therapy
Licensed use
Hormone-dependent metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal patients
Administration
Oral tablet that can be taken with or without food
Important safety issue
Can prolong the heart's QT interval and increase blood-clot risk
What is toremifene citrate used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
First-line hormone treatment of hormone-dependent metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal patients. It is not recommended for oestrogen-receptor-negative tumours.
How does toremifene citrate work?
Toremifene competes with oestrogen for oestrogen receptors. In hormone-sensitive breast cancer cells, this reduces oestrogen-driven DNA synthesis and cell growth.
toremifene citrate preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 60 mg
How to take toremifene citrate
Take the tablet by mouth exactly as prescribed. It can be taken with or without food. Do not stop treatment unless the prescribing team advises you to do so.
Tell healthcare professionals prescribing a new treatment that you take toremifene.
The tablet contains lactose; discuss known sugar intolerance with a prescriber or pharmacist.
toremifene citrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Hot flushes and sweating
- Tiredness or dizziness
- Feeling sick or vomiting
- Low mood
- Rash or itching
- Swelling caused by fluid retention
- Uterine bleeding or vaginal discharge
Get urgent medical advice
- Blood-clot symptoms, including one-sided calf swelling or tenderness, sudden breathlessness or chest pain
- Irregular heartbeat, palpitations or fainting
- Yellow skin or eyes, which may indicate liver injury
- New vaginal bleeding or altered discharge
- Unexplained infections, tiredness, bruising or bleeding, which may reflect altered blood-cell counts
toremifene citrate in pregnancy
Toremifene should not be used during pregnancy. Human pregnancy data are inadequate and animal studies found reproductive toxicity. Anyone who may be pregnant should contact the specialist team promptly.
toremifene citrate while breastfeeding
Toremifene should not be used while breastfeeding. Discuss alternative feeding or treatment options with the specialist team.
toremifene citrate interactions
A full medicines review is important because toremifene affects cardiac repolarisation and is mainly metabolised through CYP3A.
QT-prolonging medicines
Concurrent use is contraindicated because additive QT prolongation can cause dangerous ventricular arrhythmias.
Warfarin-type anticoagulants
The combination can markedly prolong bleeding time and should be avoided.
Thiazide diuretics
Reduced calcium excretion may increase the risk of high blood calcium.
Carbamazepine, phenytoin or phenobarbital
Common questions about toremifene citrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is toremifene citrate chemotherapy?
No. It is endocrine therapy: a selective oestrogen receptor modulator that reduces oestrogen-driven growth in hormone-sensitive breast cancer.
Which breast cancers is toremifene citrate licensed to treat?
It is licensed as first-line hormone treatment for hormone-dependent metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal patients. It is not recommended for oestrogen-receptor-negative tumours.
Can toremifene citrate be taken with food?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.