tamoxifen
Other Name: Nolvadex®-D, Tamofen®
in various strengths
- For treating breast cancer which expresses hormone receptors in women, ovarian, and other cancers
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have or had significant medical condition(s), especially if you have or had:
- blood clots,
- stroke,
- liver problems,
- severe depression,
- low blood counts,
- eye problems (including cataracts),
- or any allergies.
- Some brands of tamoxifen contain a small amount of lactose. If you cannot tolerate lactose, talk to your doctor.
- People who have cancer or leukemia are at a higher risk of developing other cancers/leukemias (usually some years later) or blood clots. Some cancer medications may increase these risks, especially if used for a prolonged period of time. You should discuss any concerns with your doctor.
- Tamoxifen can harm the unborn baby and should not be used in pregnant women.
- If there is ANY chance that you or your partner may become pregnant, you and your partner together must:
- ►Use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time while taking this drug. Do not take birth control pills if you have breast cancer. Keep using birth control until 9 months after the last dose. Discuss with your healthcare team.
- ►Use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time while taking this drug. Do not take birth control pills if you have breast cancer. Keep using birth control until 9 months after the last dose. Discuss with your healthcare team.
- Tell your doctor right away if you or your partner becomes pregnant.
- Do not breastfeed while taking this drug.
- Tamoxifen may affect fertility (ability to get pregnant).
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Swallow whole with a glass of water, with or without food.
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Do not crush or chew the tablets.
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Take the dose at about the same time each day.
- Do not stop taking it, even if you feel better. You may need to take this medication for a long time, as directed by your doctor. Make sure you understand the instructions.
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This medication can interact with other medications and can result in the treatment not working as well or cause severe side effects.
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Make sure your health care team knows about all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, herbals and supplements). Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.
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Drinking alcohol and smoking during your treatment may increase some side effects and make your medication less effective. Speak to your health care team about smoking and drinking alcohol while on treatment.
- Do not take any treatment containing estrogen (including herbal supplements).
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Keep this medication in the original packaging at room temperature in a dry place, away from heat and light. Keep out of sight and reach of children and pets.
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Do not throw out any unused medications at home. Bring them to your pharmacy to be thrown away safely.
You may not have all of the side effects below. You may have side effects that are not listed.
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Hot flashes, feeling or wave of warmth You may sweat more or have trouble sleeping because of this. To help prevent hot flashes :
Hot flashes may improve over time. Talk to your health care team if this is bothersome for you. Other symptoms of having low estrogen levels
Contact your health care team if these feelings bother you. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Fatigue (tiredness), weakness
See our Fatigue pamphlet for more information. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Mild swelling in arms and legs; puffiness To help prevent swelling :
If you have swelling in your legs, keep your feet up when sitting. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Nausea and vomiting (generally mild) If you have nausea or vomiting:
Also see Nausea & Vomiting pamphlet for more information. |
Contact your healthcare team if nausea lasts more than 48 hours or vomiting lasts more than 24 hours | ||||
Rash; dry, itchy skin Rash may be severe in some rare cases and cause your skin to blister or peel. If this happens, get emergency medical help right away. To prevent and treat dry skin,
Rarely rash may be severe with blistering or peeling of your skin. Get emergency medical help right away if this happens. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
Other rare, but serious side effects are possible.
If you experience ANY of the following, speak to your cancer health care provider or get emergency medical help right away:
- pain, swelling and hardening of the vein in an arm or leg
- chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing up blood
- confusion
- severe belly pain
- sudden loss of vision or changes to vision
- trouble speaking or using your arms or legs
- feeling more thirsty than normal (due to high calcium level)
- unusual bleeding from your vagina
- symptoms of an allergic reaction: itchiness, rash, swollen lips, face or tongue, chest and throat tightness
- redness or rash in areas where you had radiation in the past
Who do I contact if I have questions or need help?My cancer health care provider is: ______________________________________________ During the day I should contact:________________________________________________ Evenings, weekends and holidays:______________________________________________
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Other Notes:
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May 2022 Updated info sheet
For more links on how to manage your symptoms go to www.cancercareontario.ca/symptoms.
The information set out in the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets, and symptom management information (for patients) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended to be used by health professionals and patients for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or side effects of a certain drug, nor should it be used to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition.
A patient should always consult a healthcare provider if he/she has any questions regarding the information set out in the Formulary. The information in the Formulary is not intended to act as or replace medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.