XRAY Soon after I tested positive for a BRCA2 mutation in , my doctor urged me to take tamoxifen to reduce my breast cancer risk. Tamoxifen blocks the effect of estrogen on breast tissue. For previvors, it reduces breast cancer risk by up to 40 percent when taken for five years; the protective effect continues beyond that period. Doctors also prescribe tamoxifen to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancers. I was 41 at the time.
My son was still a baby. I was terrified of developing cancer but also scared of taking a medication that can cause hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal discomfort and increases the risk of uterine cancer, blood clots and stroke. The hot flashes began after just two days. A couple of weeks later, I experienced ongoing pain in my pelvic area. After trying tamoxifen for about a month, I quit—I had to be able to get through the day. Because of these side effects, many patients do not begin or complete treatment with tamoxifen.
According to the XRAY article, the study was the largest survey of hormone therapy use among online patient populations. More than 2, participants completed a survey about why they did not begin treatment or why they stopped it. If they began treatment, the survey asked respondents about their side effects and how they managed them. Based on the survey results, tamoxifen causes difficult quality-of-life issues for most patients.
I felt that my doctors presented side effects as something you simply have to live with. However, waking up in a pool of sweat, having frequent hot flashes and not being able to concentrate at your job is not sustainable. It was encouraging that the study found that a healthy diet, exercise, physical therapy, yoga, vitamins and even medical marijuana helped some patients.
Ovarian suppression and breast cancer Aromatase inhibitors anastrozole, exemestane and letrozole. Further support 1. Tamoxifen works by reducing the amount of oestrogen made in the body.
Tamoxifen and coronavirus Covid Taking tamoxifen does not affect your risk of getting coronavirus or of becoming seriously ill if you do get it. Primary breast cancer Tamoxifen may be prescribed if you have primary breast cancer. Breast cancer that has come back or spread Tamoxifen can also be used to treat people who have: Local recurrence Locally advanced breast cancer Secondary metastatic breast cancer To reduce the risk of breast cancer developing Tamoxifen may be an option for some people who do not have breast cancer but higher risk of developing it because of their family history.
Tamoxifen is taken as a tablet. Occasionally it may be prescribed as a liquid for people who have difficulty swallowing. The recommended dose for most people is 20mg daily. How long will I have to take tamoxifen? Sometimes tamoxifen is recommended after taking an aromatase inhibitor.
Stopping tamoxifen Your treatment team will tell you when to stop taking tamoxifen. Side effects of tamoxifen Like any drug, tamoxifen can cause side effects. Common side effects Menopausal symptoms The most common side effects of tamoxifen are menopausal symptoms such as: Hot flushes Night sweats and sleep disturbance Vaginal irritation such as dryness and itching Loss of sex drive Mood changes Headaches Vaginal discharge Vaginal discharge is common when taking tamoxifen.
If you are worried about this, let your treatment or GP know so they can rule out an infection. Effects on periods Women who are still having regular periods may find that their periods change. Sometimes periods may return after you stop taking tamoxifen. Fluid retention Tamoxifen can sometimes cause fluid retention, which may affect your weight.
Indigestion or nausea Some people have indigestion or mild nausea feeling sick. Effects on bone health If you are postmenopausal there is evidence that tamoxifen slows down bone loss, reducing the risk of osteoporosis thinning of the bone. Skin rash You may develop a skin rash, itchy or dry skin while taking tamoxifen. Less common side effects Effects on the womb Tamoxifen can affect the lining of the womb uterus , known as the endometrium, which may become thickened. If you have any unexpected vaginal bleeding or pain, tell your GP or treatment team.
Change to hair or facial hair Some women have some hair loss or hair thinning while taking tamoxifen. A small number of women notice an increase in downy facial hair. Changes to vision There is a very slight risk of changes to your vision, including a slightly higher than usual risk of developing cataracts. If you notice any changes to your vision, tell your GP or treatment team.
Changes to the liver Tamoxifen can occasionally cause changes to how the liver works. Once you finish your treatment your liver will usually go back to normal. Other possible side effects Some women notice a change to their singing voice. Other reported side effects include: Joint pains Difficulty concentrating Headaches Leg cramps at night Are there different side effects for men?
Men can have similar side effects as women, such as hot flushes and headaches. Other important information Blood clots People with breast cancer have a higher risk of blood clots. Taking tamoxifen increases the risk of blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis DVT. People taking tamoxifen need to be aware of the risk of blood clots and ways to reduce this. Can I take tamoxifen with other drugs? Herbal medicines and supplements Many people consider taking herbal products or supplements while having treatment for breast cancer.
Contraception while taking tamoxifen Taking tamoxifen while pregnant may be harmful to a developing baby. Non-hormonal methods include condoms, Femidoms or a diaphragm It may also be possible to use a coil IUD or intrauterine device. If you think you may be pregnant, tell your specialist as soon as possible. Fertility, pregnancy and tamoxifen In most premenopausal women who take tamoxifen, the ovaries continue to work. Tamoxifen and breastfeeding Women taking tamoxifen are advised not to breastfeed as it may pass through the bloodstream into the breast milk.
Further support Being diagnosed with breast cancer can make you feel lonely and isolated. Last reviewed: June Your feedback Was this page helpful? This can cause the drug to build up in your body, which may increase your risk for side effects. Tamoxifen can interact with several other medications. Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects.
Below is a list of medications that can interact with tamoxifen. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with tamoxifen. Before taking tamoxifen, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use.
Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Taking tamoxifen with certain medications for adrenal gland disorders can decrease the amount of tamoxifen in your blood.
Taking tamoxifen with a blood thinner can increase the amount of the blood thinner in your body. 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. Taking tamoxifen with certain cancer drugs decreases the amount of the cancer drugs in your body.
Taking tamoxifen with these drugs also increases your risk for blood clots. You should not use tamoxifen with these drugs. Taking tamoxifen with certain seizure drugs may lower the amount of tamoxifen in your body. 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:.
A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription. There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be more suitable for you than others. Talk with your doctor about possible alternatives. Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date.
However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.
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