Tamoxifen

To try to:

• Stop a new estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer from developing OR
• Stop your ER+ breast cancer from returning OR
• Shrink your ER+ breast cancer and stop it from spreading to other parts of the body.

Take a pill of tamoxifen once a day with or without food. If you miss a pill do not take two the next day.

Hot flashes

• Flushing of the face, sweating, and feeling warm can occur.
• Wear light clothes and avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugar to reduce symptoms.
• Exercise helps reduce these symptoms.

Vaginal dryness or discharge

• Vaginal moisturizers can help prevent and treat vaginal dryness.
• Lubricants make you more comfortable during sex.

Small risk of blood clots

Tell your nurse or doctor if you get:

• A new swollen, red, or painful leg.
• Shortness of breath, coughing up blood, or chest pain.

These may be symptoms of a blood clot in the leg or lungs.

Small risk of uterine cancer

Women who have stopped their menstrual periods and take tamoxifen are at slightly higher risk of getting cancer of the uterine lining.

Call your nurse or doctor if you get new vaginal spotting or bleeding while on this medication.

Birth defects

Tamoxifen can cause birth defects and women should not become pregnant while taking this medication.

Some anti-depressants may have an effect on how tamoxifen works. Some natural health products have estrogen and should not be used while taking tamoxifen. Speak with a pharmacist and/or your doctor before you take other prescription medications, supplements, or natural health products.

Severe side effects are rare with tamoxifen. If you are worried that your symptoms might be caused by this medication, stop taking it and tell your nurse or doctor right away.

If your symptoms are caused by tamoxifen, another medication can be prescribed.

Approximately 80 per cent of breast cancers have estrogen receptors (ER) on the cancer cells. These ER+ cancers are fed by the female hormone estrogen, which attaches to the ER. Tamoxifen blocks estrogen from attaching to ER+ breast cancer cells, which can stop the cancer from growing.