-
Tamoxifen
CAUTION:
Tamoxifen may cause uterine cancer, strokes, and blood clots in the
lungs. Inform your doctor if you have ever had a blood clot in the lungs
or legs, a stroke, or a heart attack. If you have any of the following
symptoms, call your doctor without delay: abnormal vaginal bleeding,
irregular menstrual periods, changes in vaginal discharge, or pelvic
pain or pressure. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking
tamoxifen to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. In women who
do have breast cancer, the benefits of tamoxifen outweigh the risks.
O General Information and Indications:
This medication is used to:
o treat breast cancer
o reduce the risk of breast cancer in women at high risk for the disease
Tamoxifen is in a class of drugs known as antiestrogens; it blocks the
activity of estrogen, a female hormone produced by the body in the breast.
The length of treatment depends on the types of drugs you are taking, how
well your body responds to them, and the type of cancer you have.
Other uses for this medicine
O Information For Users:
Tamoxifen is also used sometimes to induce ovulation (egg
production) in women who do not produce ova (eggs) but wish to become
pregnant, to treat breast pain, and to decrease the size and pain of
gynecomastia (swelling and tenderness of the breast). Tamoxifen may be
useful in in treating carcinoid tumors. Talk to your doctor about the
possible risks of using this medication.
O Special
precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to tamoxifen or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are
taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: aminoglutethimide (Cytadren);
anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); bromocriptine
(Parlodel); cancer chemotherapy drugs; letrozole (Aromasin); phenobarbital
(Luminal, Solfoton); and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane). Your doctor may need
to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side
effects.
o in addition to the conditions listed in the CAUTION section, inform your
doctor if you are breast-feeding liver disease or high blood levels of
cholesterol.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. You should not plan to have children while taking tamoxifen
or for 2 months after treatments. (Talk to your doctor for further details.)
Use a reliable nonhormonal method of birth control to prevent pregnancy.
Tamoxifen may harm the fetus.
O
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Tamoxifen may cause adverse effects. Inform
your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go away:
o increased bone or tumor pain
o hot flashes
o upset stomach
o swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
o vaginal discharge
o extreme tiredness (fatigue)
o dizziness
o depression
o headache
o thinning of hair
o loss of appetite (anorexia)
o stomach cramps
o constipation
o loss of sexual desire or ability (in men)
Some adverse effects could be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon,
but if you experience any of them or those listed in the CAUTION section,
call your doctor without delay:
o persistent pain or reddening around the tumor site
o vision problems
o pain or swelling of the legs
o shortness of breath
O Possible Symptoms
of Overdose:
o tremor
o unsteadiness
o dizziness
O Brand Name(s):
o Nolvadex® |
