Tamoxifen is used for the treatment of invasive breast cancer in men and
women, the most common type of breast cancer, following surgery and/or
radiation and for preventing invasive breast cancer in women at high
risk for developing it.
Nolvadex dosage
Tamoxifen
also is used for the treatment of women following surgery and radiation
for a less common type of breast cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ
(DCIS or intraductal carcinoma). Women who have had DCIS are at high
risk for developing invasive breast cancer at a later date, and
tamoxifen prevents development of the invasive cancer in almost half of
the women during the first five years of treatment.
Tamoxifen is associated with blood clots leading to deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Tamoxifen
can cause abnormalities of liver tests, reduced white blood cells, red
blood cells, and platelets. Reduced platelets can lead to bleeding.
Patients should keep appointments for blood work to monitor for these
side effects. Patients should report any suspected side effects
immediately, especially bleeding and yellowing of the skin.The dose for
metastatic breast cancer treatment, DCIS, and prevention of breast
cancer is 10 mg twice daily or 20 mg once daily for 5 years.
Tamoxifen
increases the blood thinning effect of warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
and reduces blood levels of letrozole (Femara) and anastrozole
(Arimidex).
Phenobarbital and rifampin may reduce blood levels of tamoxifen by increasing the breakdown of tamoxifen.
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