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Overview: Etcamah is used to treat certain types of breast cancer. It blocks estrogen receptors and helps break them down, which can slow the growth of breast cancer cells. Common side effects include changes in blood cell counts, vision changes, and tiredness. Etcamah can also slow your heartbeat and may cause serious heart rhythm problems. Tell your health care provider or get medical help right away if you faint, have chest pain, or feel like your heart is racing, pounding, or skipping beats.

Uses

What is Etcamah used for?

Etcamah (camizestrant) is commonly used to treat certain types of breast cancer.

Navigating Advanced Breast Cancer: What to Know About Etcamah

Etcamah may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Etcamah work (mechanism of action)?

Estrogen receptors are proteins found in some breast cancer cells. When estrogen attaches to these receptors, it can send signals that tell the cancer cells to grow.

Etcamah blocks estrogen receptors and helps break them down. This can slow the growth of breast cancer cells that use estrogen to grow.

How is Etcamah supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Etcamah

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 75 mg oral tablets

How should I store Etcamah?

Store Etcamah at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Keep Etcamah in its original bottle to protect it from moisture. The bottle contains a moisture absorber, called a desiccant, to help keep the tablets dry. You can also store the tablets in another tightly closed container, but if that container does not have a desiccant, throw the tablets away after 30 days.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Etcamah?

The most common side effects of Etcamah are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

There may be other side effects of Etcamah that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Etcamah?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Etcamah are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Etcamah may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Etcamah and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Heart Rhythm Changes. Taking Etcamah with certain other medicines can cause a problem with the electrical activity of the heart called QT prolongation. This can lead to dangerous and life-threatening heart rhythm problems, including torsades de pointes. Tell your health care provider right away if you faint or feel like your heart is racing, pounding, or skipping beats.

Slow Heartbeat. Etcamah can make your heart beat slower than normal (bradycardia). Your risk may be higher if you already have a slow heartbeat before starting Etcamah or if you take other medicines that can lower your heart rate. Call your health care provider or get medical help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of bradycardia. 

  • Feeling lightheaded, dizziness, or fainting
  • Confusion
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Etcamah?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Etcamah.

  • Camizestrant
  • Etcamah
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Etcamah.

What should I know about Etcamah before using it?

Do not take Etcamah unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Etcamah with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Etcamah out of the reach of children.

Take Etcamah at about the same time each day. Swallow the tablets whole. Do not cut, crush, or chew them. Do not take tablets that are broken, cracked, or damaged.

Etcamah may make it hard for you to get pregnant or get your partner pregnant. Talk to your health care provider if you have concerns about this.

Keep all appointments with your health care provider, including for heart check-ups, before starting Etcamah and during treatment. Your health care provider will make sure the medicine is safe and working well for you.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Etcamah?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Etcamah is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Etcamah may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Etcamah, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have or have had any of the following.

  • Liver problems
  • Slow heartbeat
  • Heart rhythm problems, such as an irregular heartbeat or long QT syndrome
  • Levels of electrolytes in your body that are too high or too low

Pregnancy. Etcamah may cause harm to a fetus. If you can get pregnant, your health care provider will give you a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant before starting treatment. If you are able to get pregnant, you should use non-hormonal birth control during Etcamah treatment and for 4 weeks after your last dose. If you can get a partner pregnant, you should use effective birth control (such as condoms) while taking Etcamah and for 1 week after your last dose. Talk with your health care provider about your birth control options. Tell your health care provider right away if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Etcamah passes into breast milk. You should not breastfeed while taking Etcamah and for 1 week after your last dose. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

How can I get more information about Etcamah?

For more information about Etcamah, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.etcamah.com or call them at 800-236-9933.

Interactions

Does Etcamah interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Etcamah and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Etcamah, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight cancer.

Does Etcamah interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, tell your health care provider if you currently use or have used any of the following within 2 weeks before starting Etcamah.

  • Abemaciclib (Verzenio), palbociclib (Ibrance), or ribociclib (Kisqali), which are medicines commonly used for certain cancers
  • Any medicine that can cause QT prolongation, which is a potentially dangerous heart rhythm problem
  • Any heart or blood pressure medicines
  • A medicine used for fungal infections, such as itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura)
  • A medicine for seizures, such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, and others) or phenobarbital
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • Warfarin, which is a blood thinner
  • Siponimod (Mayzent), which is a medicine commonly used to treat multiple sclerosis
  • Omeprazole (Prilosec) or lansoprazole (Prevacid), which are medicines commonly used for heartburn, acid reflux, or other stomach problems 

Etcamah may alter the blood levels of some other medicines, and vice versa. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Etcamah. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Etcamah?

If you or someone else has used too much Etcamah, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Etcamah?

If you miss a dose by 6 hours or less, take it as soon as you remember. If you miss a dose by more than 6 hours, skip it and take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take double or extra doses.

If you vomit after taking a dose, do not take another dose. Take your regular dose at the next scheduled time.