Uses of Tamoxifen

Tamoxifen is used to treat breast cancer. It is also used to treat infertility in women caused by a failure to produce and release eggs and reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.

Therapeutic Category

Tamoxifen: Anti-estrogens

How Tamoxifen works

Tamoxifen works by binding to estrogen receptors and blocking the effects of estrogen (natural female hormone) in the breast tissue. This slows down the growth and multiplication of breast cancer cells.

Common side effects of Tamoxifen

• Nausea, vomiting
• Fluid retention
• Skin rash
• Hot flushes (feeling of warmth)
• Tiredness
• Anemia
• Changes in vision due to cataracts or changes to the retina of eye
• Increased amounts of fats in your blood
• Allergic reactions
• Leg cramps
• Changes in the womb (including changes to its lining and benign growths)
• Headache, light-headedness
• Itching of the genitals
• Thinning of the hair
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Changes in blood tests of liver function
• Formation of fatty liver cells
• Muscle pain
• Sensory changes
• Increased risk of blood clots

When to consult your doctor

Consult your doctor, if you experience:

• Swelling of the calf or leg, chest pain, being short of breath or suddenly feeling weak
• Symptoms of a stroke (sudden onset of weakness or paralysis of the arms or legs, being unable to move the arms or legs, sudden difficulty with speaking, walking, in holding things or in thinking)
• Difficulty in breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat which may make it difficult to swallow (angioedema)
• Nettle rash (hives or urticaria)
• Reddish non-elevated, target-like or circular patches on the trunk, often with central blisters, skin peeling, ulcers of mouth, throat, nose, genitals and eyes (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis)
• Unusual bleeding from vagina
• Irregular periods, especially if associated with heavier bleeding as this could be a warning sign for a certain type of cancer affecting the lining of womb (endometrial cancer)
• Vaginal discharge
• Feeling of discomfort in the lower tummy (pelvis)

Health Tips for Tamoxifen

• Take tamoxifen at the same time each day exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip doses or stop taking the medication early, even if you start feeling better, unless instructed by your doctor
• Tamoxifen may slightly increase the risk of bone thinning (osteoporosis). Discuss measures to maintain bone health, such as calcium and vitamin D supplementation or weight-bearing exercises, with your doctor
• Maintain a healthy and balanced diet and attend regular health check ups while taking Tamoxifen
• Inform your healthcare provider about all the medications, supplements, and herbal products you are taking, as Tamoxifen can interact with certain drugs
• Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breast feeding women