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Toremifene citrate is a hormonal therapy that is FDA approved to treat hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer. It is a SERM, or selective estrogen receptor modulator, a medicine that prevents estrogen signals from getting to breast cancer cells. They are given as daily pills.

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How toremifene citrate works

Toremifene citrate is closely related to tamoxifen. Like tamoxifen, it works by blocking estrogen from reaching estrogen receptors on breast cancer cells. Without the estrogen, the cancer cells can’t grow as well as they can with it.

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Who gets toremifene citrate

Toremifene citrate may be given if you have hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer.

It is not used often in the United States, but toremifene citrate is an FDA approved treatment for metastatic breast cancer. Outside the U.S., this medicine is used for both early-stage and metastatic disease.

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How toremifene citrate is given

Toremifene citrate is given as a daily pill. Because your body makes estrogen every day, it’s important to take toremifene citrate every day.

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Side effects and things to remember

Common side effects of toremifene citrate are:

Less common side effects of toremifene citrate are:

Toremifene citrate can cause changes in your heart rhythm, so let your doctors know if you have a history of irregular heartbeat.

Your doctor, pharmacist or nurse can help you manage your side effects. You can also go to our section on Side Effects for more information.

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Reviewed and updated: August 31, 2015

Reviewed by: Jennifer Winn, MD, MS

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Living Beyond Breast Cancer is a national nonprofit organization that seeks to create a world that understands there is more than one way to have breast cancer. To fulfill its mission of providing trusted information and a community of support to those impacted by the disease, Living Beyond Breast Cancer offers on-demand emotional, practical, and evidence-based content. For over 30 years, the organization has remained committed to creating a culture of acceptance — where sharing the diversity of the lived experience of breast cancer fosters self-advocacy and hope. For more information, learn more about our programs and services.