Tamoxifen: An Effective Treatment for Breast Cancer
Is Tamoxifen
an Oral Solution?
TAMOXIFEN (Soltamox™) blocks the effects of estrogen hormone
in the body. Tamoxifen is most commonly used to treat breast cancer
in women or men. This drug may lower the risk of breast cancer's
coming back in women previously treated with surgery, radiation, or
chemotherapy. This drug may also help prevent breast cancer in certain
women with a high risk of developing breast cancer. Occasionally this
drug is used for other conditions. Generic tamoxifen oral solution
is not yet available.
How
to use Tamoxifen Oral
Read the Medication Guide provided by your drug store before you start
taking tamoxifen and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions,
consult your doctor or drug store professional.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually once or twice daily for five years, or as directed by your doctor. Daily dosages greater than twenty milligrams are usually divided in half and taken twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, or as directed by your doctor.
Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day.
If you have breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, you may experience increased bone/cancer pain and/or disease flare-up as you start taking tamoxifen. In some cases, this may be a sign of a good response to the medication. Symptoms include increased bone pain, increased tumor size, or even new tumors. These symptoms usually disappear quickly. In any case, report any new symptoms to your doctor immediately..
Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and lungs, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the tablets. (See also Precautions section.)
Inform your doctor immediately if your condition worsens (e.g., you get new breast lumps).
What
side effects may occur?
Side effects from Nolvadex are usually mild and rarely require the
drug to be stopped. If any develop or change in intensity, inform
your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if
it is safe for you to continue taking Nolvadex.
More
common side effects may include:
Hot flashes, nausea, vomiting
IMPORTANT
WARNING:
Tamoxifen may cause cancer of the uterus (womb), strokes, and blood
clots in the lungs. These conditions may be serious or fatal.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had a blood clot in the lungs or legs, a stroke, or a heart attack. Also tell your doctor if you smoke, if you have high blood pressure or diabetes, if your ability to move around during your waking hours is limited, or if you are taking anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin).
If you experience any of the following symptoms during or after your treatment, call your doctor immediately: abnormal vaginal bleeding; irregular menstrual periods; changes in vaginal discharge, especially if the discharge becomes bloody, brown, or rusty; pain or pressure in the pelvis (the stomach area below the belly button); leg swelling or tenderness; chest pain; shortness of breath; coughing up blood; sudden weakness, tingling, or numbness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of your body; sudden confusion; difficulty speaking or understanding; sudden difficulty seeing in one or both eyes; sudden difficulty walking; dizziness; loss of balance or coordination; or sudden severe headache. Keep all appointments with your doctor.
You will need to have gynecological examinations (examinations of the female organs) regularly to find early signs of cancer of the uterus. If you are thinking about taking tamoxifen to reduce the chance that you will develop breast cancer, you should talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of this treatment. You and your doctor will decide whether the possible benefit of tamoxifen treatment is worth the risks of taking the medication. If you need to take tamoxifen to treat breast cancer, the benefits of tamoxifen outweigh the risks.
Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer’s patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with tamoxifen and each time you refill your prescription. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website or the manufacturer's website to obtain the medication guide.
