Tamoxifen (Systemic)
Brand Names : Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Gen-Tamoxifen, Nolvadex-D, Novo-Tamoxifen, PMS-Tamoxifen, Tamofen, Tamone
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will
do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For tamoxifen, the following
should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to tamoxifen.
Pregnancy - Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you intend
to become pregnant. Tamoxifen should not be used to reduce the risk of breast
cancer if you are pregnant of if you intend to become pregnant. Tamoxifen
use in women has been shown to cause miscarriages, birth defects, death of
the fetus, and vaginal bleeding. Studies in rats and rabbits have shown that
tamoxifen causes miscarriages, death of the fetus, and slowed learning. Studies
in animals also have shown that tamoxifen may cause some of the same problems
as those caused by an estrogen called diethylstilbestrol (DES). DES causes
genital tract problems and, rarely, an increased risk of cancer of the cervix
or vagina in daughters of women who took it during their pregnancy. It is
not known whether tamoxifen causes these same problems. Be sure that you have discussed this with your doctor before taking this
medicine. It is best to use some kind of birth control while you are taking
tamoxifen and for about 2 months after you stop taking it. However, do not
use oral contraceptives (�the Pill�) since they may interfere
with this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you think you have become
pregnant while taking tamoxifen.
Breast-feeding - Because this medicine may cause serious side effects,
breast-feeding is generally not recommended while you are taking it.
Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically
in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly
the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information
comparing use of tamoxifen in the elderly with use in other age groups, this
medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older
people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care
professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter
[OTC]) medicine. If you are taking tamoxifen to reduce the risk of breast
cancer, it is especially important that your health care professional know
if you are taking the following:
-
Anticoagulant, coumarin-type (blood thinners) - Blood thinners
(e.g., warfarin [Coumadin]) should not be used with tamoxifen when used to
reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in women who have a high risk
of developing breast cancer. If you need to take blood thinners, your blood
clotting times should be monitored by your doctor.
-
Cytotoxic medicines - These are medicines that damage cells.
If you take these medicines with tamoxifen, you may have an increased risk
of blood clots.
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of tamoxifen. Make sure you tell your doctor if
you have any other medical problems, especially:
For all patients
-
Blood problems or
-
Cataracts or other eye problems - Tamoxifen may also cause these
problems
-
High cholesterol levels in the blood - Tamoxifen can increase
cholesterol levels
When used for reducing the risk for developing breast cancer in high-risk
women or in women with Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)
-
Blood clots (or history of) or
-
Pulmonary embolism (or history of) or
-
Stroke or
-
Uterine (womb) cancer - May increase risk of serious side effects
from tamoxifen.
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