Health Center
TAMOXIFEN (Nolvadex®) blocks the effects of the estrogen hormone in the body and is used to treat breast cancer in both men and women. Tamoxifen may also be used to prevent breast cancer in certain women with a high risk of developing breast cancer. Generic tamoxifen tablets are available.
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
·blood clots
·blood disorders
·cataracts or impaired eyesight
·endometriosis, uterine fibroids
·high calcium levels
·high cholesterol
·an unusual or allergic reaction to tamoxifen, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
·pregnant or trying to get pregnant
·breast-feeding
Take tamoxifen tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. You may take tamoxifen with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, and then take the next dose as usual. Do not take double or extra doses. If you vomit after taking a dose call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.
·chemotherapy agents
·melatonin
·warfarin
Ask your prescriber or health care professional about other medicines that may increase or decrease the effect of tamoxifen.
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also, tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
Some side effects will only apply to women.
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Rare or uncommon:
·changes in vision
·confusion
·difficulty walking or talking
·difficulty breathing
·excessive thirst
·new breast lumps
·numbness
·pain in the legs
·pelvic pain or pressure
·redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
·shortness of breath
·skin rash
·swelling of the legs and feet
·swelling of lips, face, or tongue
·sudden chest pain
·unusual bruising or bleeding
·weakness
·yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin
More common:
·vaginal bleeding
·changes in your menstrual cycle
·changes in vaginal discharge
·nausea, vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
·bone pain
·fatigue
·headache
·hair loss, although uncommon and is usually mild
·hot flashes
·impotence (in men)
·pain at tumor site
·weight loss
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You may need to have blood drawn to check your blood counts, calcium, and/or cholesterol.
When you start taking tamoxifen to treat breast cancer, bone or tumor pain may increase. This means that tamoxifen is working and the pain should soon decrease. If the pain is severe, call your prescriber or health care professional. During this initial time, if you experience confusion or increased nausea, thirst, urination, or vomiting call your health care professional immediately.
Women should not become pregnant while taking tamoxifen or for 2 months after tamoxifen therapy has stopped. Women who can have children should use barrier birth control (condoms) or other methods of birth control that do not use hormones. Because tamoxifen may cause women ovulate, it may increase the risk of getting pregnant if appropriate birth control is not used.
Women who are or have taken tamoxifen should have regular gynecologic exams and inform their prescriber or health care professional of any irregular menstrual cycles, abnormal vaginal bleeding, changes in vaginal discharge, or pelvic pain or pressure.
Women who take tamoxifen are at increased risk for developing blood clots in the lungs and legs. Some women may develop more than one clot, even if tamoxifen is stopped. If you experience pain or swelling in your calves or sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood, call your prescriber or health care professional right away.
Tamoxifen may cause cataracts or changes to parts of the eye known as the cornea or retina. If you experience any changes in your vision, including difficulty in telling colors apart, tell your prescriber or health care professional immediately.
Men who take tamoxifen may notice decreased sexual desire and impotence.
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
NOTE: This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions, or adverse effects for this drug. If you have questions about the drug(s) you are taking, check with your health care professional.
[ Revised 9/5/00]
This information was obtained from Clinical Pharmacology 2000 . For more information about this drug or about any other drug, click here.
Return to the Hematology-Oncology Medical Group of the San Fernando Valley Home Page