Description

What is Nolvadex tamoxifen?

Nolvadex Tamoxifen is a prescription drug. It comes as an oral tablet and an
oral solution.

Tamoxifen oral tablet is only available as a generic drug. Generic
drugs usually cost less than a brand-name drug.
Why it’s used

Tamoxifen is used to treat and reduce the risk of certain types of
breast cancer.

How it works

Nolvadex Tamoxifen belongs to a group of drugs called antiestrogens. A class of
drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These
drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

Antiestrogens work by blocking the effects of the hormone estrogen in
the body. Estrogen may cause the growth of some types of breast
tumors. Tamoxifen may block the growth of tumors that respond to
estrogen.

Tamoxifen side effects

Nolvadex Tamoxifen oral tablet doesn’t cause drowsiness, but it can cause other
side effects.
More common side effects

The more common side effects that occur with tamoxifen include:

hot flashes
vaginal discharge

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a
couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your
doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911
if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a
medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include
the following:

Changes in the lining (endometrium) of your uterus. These changes
may mean serious problems are starting, including cancer of the
uterus. Symptoms can include:
vaginal bleeding or bloody discharge in a rusty or brown
color. You should call your doctor even if a small amount of bleeding
occurs.
changes in your menstrual cycle, such as in the amount or
timing of bleeding or increased clotting
pain or pressure in your pelvis (below your belly button)
Blood clots in your veins or lungs. These can occur for up to 2–3
months after you stop taking tamoxifen. Symptoms can include:
sudden chest pain
shortness of breath
coughing up blood
pain, tenderness, or swelling in one or both of your legs
Stroke. Symptoms can include:
sudden weakness, tingling, or numbness in your face, arm, or
leg, especially on one side of your body
sudden:
confusion
trouble speaking
trouble seeing in one or both eyes
trouble walking
dizziness
loss of balance or coordination
severe headache with no known cause
Cataracts. Symptoms can include:
blurred vision
Liver problems. Symptoms can include:
loss of appetite
yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice)

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and
current information. However, because drugs affect each person
differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all
possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for
medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare
provider who knows your medical history.
Tamoxifen may interact with other medications

Nolvadex Tamoxifen oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins,
or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes
the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from
working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your
medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all
medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this
drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your
doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with tamoxifen are listed below.
Adrenal gland disorder drugs

Taking tamoxifen with certain medications for adrenal gland disorders
can decrease the amount of tamoxifen in your blood. You shouldn’t use
these drugs together. Examples of these drugs include:

aminoglutethimide

Blood thinners

Taking tamoxifen with a blood thinner can increase the amount of the
blood thinner in your body. This may make it easier for you to bleed.
If you must take a blood thinner and you have ductal carcinoma in situ
(DCIS) or want to reduce your risk of breast cancer, you shouldn’t use
tamoxifen.

Examples of blood thinners include:

warfarin

Bromocriptine

Taking tamoxifen with bromocriptine increases the amount of tamoxifen
in your body. If you need to take these drugs together, your doctor
may adjust your dosage of tamoxifen.
Cancer-fighting drugs

Taking tamoxifen with certain cancer drugs decreases the amount of the
cancer drugs in your body. This means they won’t work as well. Taking
tamoxifen with these drugs also increases your risk of blood clots.
You should not use tamoxifen with these drugs.

Examples of these cancer drugs include:

letrozole
anastrozole

Taking tamoxifen with other cancer-fighting drugs increases your risk
of blood clots. Examples of these drugs include:

doxorubicin
daunorubicin
vincristine
vinblastine
cyclophosphamide
cisplatin

Seizure drugs

Taking tamoxifen with certain seizure drugs may lower the amount of
tamoxifen in your body. If you need to take these drugs together, your
doctor may adjust your dosage of tamoxifen. Examples of these drugs
include:

phenobarbital
fosphenytoin
phenytoin

Tuberculosis drugs

Taking tamoxifen with certain tuberculosis drugs can decrease the
amount of tamoxifen in your body. If you need to take these drugs
together, your doctor may increase your tamoxifen dosage. Examples of
these drugs include:

rifampin
rifabutin
rifapentine

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and
current information. However, because drugs interact differently in
each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all
possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for
medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about
possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and
supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.
Tamoxifen warnings

This drug comes with several warnings.
Allergy warning

Tamoxifen can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms include:

trouble breathing
swelling of your throat or tongue
hives

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you develop these symptoms.

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to
it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).
Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with changes in the lining of the uterus: Tamoxifen can
further increase your risk for changes in the lining of the uterus. If
you have a history of this condition, talk to your doctor before using
this drug. Let your doctor know if you develop menstrual changes,
abnormal vaginal bleeding, changes in vaginal discharge, or pelvic
pain or pressure. Your doctor may adjust your dosage or have you stop
taking tamoxifen.

For people with a history of blood clots: Tamoxifen can further
increase your risk of blood clots. If you have a history of this
condition, talk to your doctor before using this drug. If you develop
leg pain or swelling, shortness of breath, cough, or chest pain, tell
your doctor and go to the emergency room right away.

For people with a history of stroke: Tamoxifen can further increase
your risk of stroke. If you have a history of this condition, talk to
your doctor before using this drug.

For people with a history of eye problems: Tamoxifen can further
increase your risk of eye problems, such as cataracts. If you have a
history of vision problems, talk to your doctor before using this
drug. Let your doctor know if you have any changes in vision. They may
lower your dosage or have you stop taking the drug.

For people with liver problems: Tamoxifen can further increase your
risk of liver problems. If you have a history of this condition, talk
to your doctor before using this drug. If you develop signs of liver
damage, such as yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes,
tell your doctor. They may adjust your dosage of this medication.
Warnings for other groups

For pregnant women: Tamoxifen is a category D pregnancy drug. That
means two things:

Research in humans has shown adverse effects to the fetus when the
mother takes the drug.
This drug should only be used during pregnancy in serious cases
where it’s needed to treat a dangerous condition in the mother.

Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Ask your doctor to tell you about the specific harm that may be done
to the pregnancy. This drug should only be used if the potential risk
to the pregnancy is acceptable given the drug’s potential benefit.

For women who are breastfeeding: It isn’t known if tamoxifen passes
into breast milk. If it does, it may cause side effects in a child who
is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your child. You
may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this
medication.

For seniors: Older adults may process drugs more slowly. This can
cause the drug to build up in your body, which may increase your risk
of side effects.

For children: This drug shouldn’t be used in people under the age of 18 years.