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Treats advanced breast cancer in men and women, and early breast cancer in women. Also may prevent breast cancer in women who are at a high risk because of age, family history, or other factors.
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Nolvadex, Soltamox |
| Overview | Photos | How
To Use | Side
Effects | Precautions | Missed
Dose | Drug
Interactions | |
Tamoxifen
Nolvadex, Soltamox
Uses
Treats advanced breast cancer in men and women, and early breast cancer in women. Also may prevent breast cancer in women who are at a high risk because of age, family history, or other factors.
Storage
- Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
- Do not store in the refrigerator or freezer.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.
How
To Use - APPEARANCE: Tablet, Liquid.
Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects.
- Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits.
- It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide.
- Read and follow these instructions carefully.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
- Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one.
- Your doctor might ask you to sign some forms to show that you understand this information.
Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often.
- Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
- You may need to take this medicine for 5 years or longer.
Swallow the tablet whole.
- You may take this medicine with or without food.
Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
Side
Effects - Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
Chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood.
Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
Heavy or abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain or pressure.
New breast lumps.
Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach.
Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.
Pain in your lower leg (calf).
Sudden or severe headache, problems with vision, speech, or walking.
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
Precautions
- You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to tamoxifen, or if you are pregnant.
- You should not use this medicine if you are also using blood thinners such as Coumadin®, or if you have ever had a blood clot or blood clotting problems.
Missed
Dose - If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can.
- If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose.
- Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Drug
Interactions - Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby.
- Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant.
- If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.Keep using effective birth control for at least 2 months after you stop treatment.
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Make sure your doctor knows if you are breast feeding, or have cataracts.
- Tell your doctor if you have high cholesterol or high triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood).
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Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine.
- Be sure to keep all appointments.It is important for women to have regular gynecologic check-ups while taking tamoxifen.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine.
This medicine may increase your risk of developing other rare but serious conditions, such as stroke, a blood clot in the lung, or cancer of the uterus.
- Talk with your doctor about these risks and your personal situation.
This medicine may cause changes in your menstrual periods, which could be a sign of a serious problem.
- Tell your doctor about any unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge.
Some of the side effects of this medicine may not appear for months or years, or after you have stopped using this medicine.
- Tell your doctor if you have later side effects.
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| User Medicine
Opinions for Tamoxifen |
| |
| Overall: | 
| | Low
adverse Reactions |  |
| Healing Power: |
| | No dependency problems: | 
| | Cost-Benefit: |
| Sex:
F
Age: 44
Location:
Connecticut
Time Taken: 2 years years
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| Reason:
Breast Cancer, Right Breast, Stage 1, no lymph node Involvement | Date:
14 June 2011 | Side
Effects
Blah! Nausea, (The feeling that I have to throw up, but can't) it just stop at the top of my throat! Ugh!
Bone Pain, Muscle cramps, constipation, lack of appetite, weight loss (Only good thing about it) sudden lightheadedness, oh, and Insomnia. As if that is not enough.
Additional Thoughts
I do not recommend this medication if you want to live a normal life without pain and without feeling 90 years older than your present age.
| |
| Overall: |
| | Low
adverse Reactions |  |
| Healing Power: |
| | No dependency problems: |
| | Cost-Benefit: |
| Sex:
F
Age: 68
Location:
San Francisco Bay Area
Time Taken: 2 weeks
| |
| Reason:
DCIS with lumpectomy and radiology--adjuvant treatment | Date:
6 April 2009 | Side
Effects
Emotional upheavals, slight headache, nausea, feeling bloated, hot flashes, calf and foot cramps, twinges of sharp pain in affected breast and also in the other breast, deep pain in chest and back that felt like a very heavy weight laid on chest (this caused shortness of breath.)
Additional Thoughts
The heavy, crushing type pain I experienced woke me from sleeping at 4:00 a.m. It radiated around my entire chest and I had to get up in order to breathe better. I was able to breathe better in an upright position but the pain continued, though it was less. I was short of breath at the time. I took the tablet for 2 weeks prior to this event, then stopped taking it and felt normal. Since I do have cholelithiasis, I wanted to be sure it was not a gall bladder attack, so after 3 days I took Tamoxifen again and began to experience the same negative effects. I called my surgeon and he has referred me to a medical oncologist; he also told me to stop taking the Tamoxifen. He also said that crushing chest pain was not a side effect of the drug.
| |
| Overall: |
| | Low
adverse Reactions | |
| Healing Power: |
| | No dependency problems: |
| | Cost-Benefit: |
| Sex:
F
Age: 68
Location:
San Francisco Bay Area
Time Taken: 2 weeks
| |
| Reason:
DCIS with lumpectomy and radiology--adjuvant treatment | Date:
6 April 2009 | Side
Effects
Emotional upheavals, slight headache, nausea, feeling bloated, hot flashes, calf and foot cramps, twinges of sharp pain in affected breast and also in the other breast, deep pain in chest and back that felt like a very heavy weight laid on chest (this caused shortness of breath.)
Additional Thoughts
The heavy, crushing type pain I experienced woke me from sleeping at 4:00 a.m. It radiated around my entire chest and I had to get up in order to breathe better. I was able to breathe better in an upright position but the pain continued, though it was less. I was short of breath at the time. I took the tablet for 2 weeks prior to this event, then stopped taking it and felt normal. Since I do have cholelithiasis, I wanted to be sure it was not a gall bladder attack, so after 3 days I took Tamoxifen again and began to experience the same negative effects. I called my surgeon and he has referred me to a medical oncologist; he also told me to stop taking the Tamoxifen. He also said that crushing chest pain was not a side effect of the drug.
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CONDITIONS
OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute
for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information
is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions
or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular
drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional
should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or
discontinuing any course of treatment. |
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