Tamoxifen

What is Tamoxifen?

Tamoxifen is an FDA-approved medicine that treats hormone receptor-positive (hormone-positive) breast cancer.

Hormone-positive breast cancer is a type of cancer that treats estrogen or progesterone to grow.

It helps to prevent breast cancer in people who are above 35 and have a high risk of suffering from the disease.

Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Tamoxifen in 1998, it has become a widely used breast cancer treatment.

Tamoxifen is effective in treating breast cancer that has spread to other parts of body in both women and men.

It treats early breast cancer in women who have already been treated with radiation, surgery, or chemotherapy.

You can find Tamoxifen in market under different brand names including Nolvadex or Soltamox.

This medication can greatly decrease risk of cancer recurrence and invasive cancer.

Some people take this drug to reduce risk of developing breast cancer.

Tamoxifen for breast cancer helps to stop cancer cells from using estrogen and progesterone to grow and spread.

You can save huge on Tamoxifen cost by ordering it from a licensed online pharmacy and grabbing exciting deals & discounts.

How does Tamoxifen work in your body?

Tamoxifen belongs to a class of medicines called anti-estrogens also called selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs)

It blocks effects of estrogen on hormone receptor-positive breast cancer cells by sitting in estrogen receptors on cells.

In case, Tamoxifen is in receptor, estrogen does not attach to cancer cells and the cell is not able to receive estrogen’s signals to grow and multiply.

You need to know that tamoxifen will never work to treat hormone receptor-negative breast cancer.

How long do you need to take Tamoxifen?

Most people take tamoxifen dosage for almost five years and sometimes for 10 years. This treatment length will depend on your cancer diagnosis.

Your doctor can recommend taking this medicine for five years and then suggest different hormone therapy for several years.

How to take Tamoxifen?

Read patient information leaflet before starting your treatment with Tamoxifen which is provided with medicine itself.

If there is any doubt or confusion about this medicine or dosage then you can discuss it with a doctor or medical health provider.

Take this medicine by mouth with or without food as suggested by doctor, mainly once or twice daily for 5 years.

Daily dosages greater than 20mg are mainly divided in half and taken twice a day, in morning & evening or as prescribed by a doctor.

In case, you are using a liquid form of this medicine then measure dose properly using a special measuring spoon.

You must always avoid using a household spoon as it can give you wrong dosage of Tamoxifen.

Dosage of Tamoxifen is based on your medical condition and response of body to treatment.

Duration of treatment to avoid cancer from returning might be between 5 to 10 years depending on response to treatment & medical condition.

If you have breast cancer that has already spread to other parts of your body then you can suffer from increased bone or cancer pain as you take Tamoxifen.

In some cases, this can be a sign of a good response to this medication.

Symptoms usually include increased size of tumors, new tumors, or increased bone pain.

These symptoms will disappear quickly. But it is necessary to inform doctor quickly about these signs or symptoms.

As this medication might get absorbed through lungs and skin, pregnant women or women who are plannning pregnancy should not handle Tamoxifen.

In case, your condition gets worse like you have new breast lumps then let your doctor know immediately.

• Missed dose

If you miss a dose of Tamoxifen then take it as soon as you remember. Skip your missed dose, if it's already time for next dosage.

You can continue with your next dose at regular time. Never double the dose just to make up for missed one.

• Overdose

If you have overdosed and experience severe symptoms like trouble breathing then immediately call your doctor.

Precautions and warnings

Before taking tamoxifen, inform your doctor if you are allergic to it or have any other allergies.

This medicine might contain some inactive ingredients which can cause you allergic reactions or other problems.

Before using this medicine, let doctor know about your medical history, especially of:

• High cholesterol
• Blood clots
• Limited or no ability to walk
• Liver disorder
• Diabetes
• Cataracts
• High blood pressure

In case, you have to undergo any surgery especially breast reconstruction then let your doctor know about using Tamoxifen.

Women using this medicine must ask their doctor about using effective non-hormonal forms of birth control during treatment and for 2 months after last dosage.

Men using Tamoxifen should also discuss reliable forms of birth control during treatment & for 6 months after last dose.

In case, you or your partner becomes pregnant then talk to doctor quickly about risks and benefits of this medicine.

It is still unknown whether Tamoxifen passes into breast milk or not.

Due to possible risk to infants, breastfeeding should be avoided while using this medicine and for 3 months after completing treatment.

Tamoxifen tablets have rarely caused severe blood clots in lungs & legs, strokes, or cancer of uterus.

When taking tamoxifen to decrease risk of breast cancer or your cancer is limited to milk ducts then discuss all benefits & risks with doctor once.

Tell your doctor quickly if you develop symptoms of uterus cancer like unusual vaginal discharge or unusual changes in monthly period.

Tamoxifen side effects

Like other medicines, Tamoxifen can also cause some minor and major side effects.

Remember doctor has prescribed you this medicine because he thinks its benefits are greater than its side effects.

Several people using Tamoxifen do not experience any kind of serious side effects.

Here are some common side effects of Tamoxifen:

• Hot flashes
• Muscle aches
• Nausea
• Numb/tingling skin
• Leg cramps
• Hair thinning
• Vision changes
• Signs of infection
• Symptoms of liver disorder

Not all adverse effects are included in this list. You might experience other problems as well.

If any of your adverse effects worsen over time or continue to linger, get emergency medical attention.

Interactions

Drug interactions can change how your medicines work or increase your chance of experiencing severe side effects.

Keep a list of products you use including herbal supplements, and prescription & non-prescription medicines. Share this with doctor.

Here are some medicines that must be avoided with Tamoxifen:

• Anastrozole
• Letrozole
• Butalbital
• Mitotane
• SSRI antidepressants

Storage

Keep this medication out of direct sunlight and dampness at room temperature.

Frequently asked questions about Tamoxifen (FAQs)

• What if I stop taking Tamoxifen tablet?

Even if you start feeling well, do not stop taking this medicine unless a doctor recommends it.

Stopping Tamoxifen treatment early can increase your risk of experiencing breast cancer again.

• How long does Tamoxifen stay in your system after completing treatment?

Tamoxifen usually stays active for two weeks after last dosage. It can take three months to flush out from your system completely.

• What you must to avoid while taking Tamoxifen?

There are certain foods and beverages that can make Tamoxifen less effective including grapefruit, alcoholic beverages, and tangerines.

• Is Tamoxifen a chemotherapy treatment?

No, Tamoxifen is a type of hormonal therapy and belongs to a class of medicines known as selective estrogen receptor modulators.

Sometimes, doctors can refer to Tamoxifen as chemoprevention but it is not same as chemotherapy medications.

• Can I take tamoxifen during pregnancy?

No, Tamoxifen can cause birth defects. If you are pregnant or intend to get pregnant, you should not use this medication.

To prevent pregnancy, you must discuss with a doctor about using effective non-hormonal birth control options.

• Is it safe to take Tamoxifen?

Yes, it is safe to take this medicine under the supervision of a doctor. If Tamoxifen is taken as prescribed then it will not cause any serious problem.

• Where to buy tamoxifen?

It is always better to buy tamoxifen from a licensed pharmacy like Sanford Pharmacy drugstore. In this way, you can buy genuine medicines.