Tamoxifen is prescribed to treat women with advanced breast cancer and to reduce the risk of recurring breast cancer. Tamoxifen can cause serious side effects like an increased risk of uterine cancer, blood clots and stroke. Tamoxifen also increases patients’ chances of getting cataracts. Tamoxifen is marketed as the drug Nolvadex.
What are some important things I should know about Tamoxifen?
Patients should discuss Tamoxifen’s potential risks with their doctors before taking the medication. Tamoxifen can put patients at an increased risk of uterine cancer, blood clots and stroke, as well as increasing their risk of developing cataracts and needing cataract surgery.
Tamoxifen is an anti-estrogen, which means it blocks estrogens in the body that cause breast tumors.
Tamoxifen is used to treat women with advanced breast cancer and to help prevent recurring breast cancer in women with early breast cancer. Women at high risk for breast cancer are those who are more than 35 years of age and:
· had their first menstrual period early
· had a late first pregnancy
· had no pregnancies
· have a mother, sister or daughter with breast cancer
· have a history of breast biopsies
· have seen high-risk changes in the breast on a biopsy
Tamoxifen can reduce the chance of getting breast cancer by up to 44 percent. It can also shrink tumors in much the same was that radiation can. Tamoxifen is also approved for treating breast cancer in men.
Tamoxifen can cause an increased risk of uterine cancer, blood clots and stroke, as well as increase the risk of developing cataracts or needing cataract surgery.
You should contact your doctor immediately if you become pregnant, or if you notice signs of:
- new breast lumps
- vaginal bleeding
- unusual menstrual cycle
- unusual vaginal discharge
- pelvic pain
- swelling in your lower legs, particularly your calves
- difficulty breathing
- chest pain
- coughing up blood
- vision changes
- weakness
- difficulty walking or talking
- numbness
- jaundice