What if i can take tamoxifen

There are several types of hormonal therapy medicines. Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator SERM , is one of the most well-known.

Tamoxifen can be used to treat both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. In the early s, the aromatase inhibitors:. Still, like most cancer medicines, both tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors can cause side effects.

Tamoxifen may cause hot flashes and increase the risk of blood clots and stroke. Aromatase inhibitors may cause muscle and joint aches and pains. Less common but more severe side effects of aromatase inhibitors are heart problems, osteoporosis, and broken bones.

This is the first study to look at hormonal therapy adherence in younger women. This study included 1, premenopausal women who had been diagnosed with early-stage, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer and who were part of the CANTO cohort, a French study looking at the long-term effects of breast cancer treatment.

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily.

To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements.

You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Generic alternatives may be available. Tamoxifen pronounced as ta mox' i fen. Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose?

What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names.

Other uses for this medicine. What special precautions should I follow? Before taking tamoxifen, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to tamoxifen or any other medications.

Be sure to mention any of the following: aminoglutethimide Cytadren ; anastrozole Arimidex , bromocriptine Parlodel ; cancer chemotherapy medication such as cyclophosphamide Cytoxan, Neosar letrozole Femara ; medroxyprogesterone Depo-Provera, Provera, in Prempro ; phenobarbital; and rifampin Rifadin, Rimactane.

Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. You should not plan to become pregnant while taking tamoxifen or for 2 months after your treatment. Your doctor may perform a pregnancy test or tell you to begin your treatment during your menstrual period to be sure that you are not pregnant when you begin taking tamoxifen.

You will need to use a reliable nonhormonal method of birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are taking tamoxifen and for 2 months after your treatment. Talk to your doctor about the types of birth control that are right for you, and continue to use birth control even if you do not have regular menstrual periods during your treatment.

Stop taking tamoxifen and call your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant during your treatment. Kostandinos Sideras, James N. Ingle, Matthew M. Ames, Charles L. Loprinzi, David P. Mrazek, John L. Black, Richard M. Weinshilboum, John R. Hawse, Thomas C. Spelsberg, and Matthew P. Journal of Clinical Oncology , Flockhart. Tamoxifen's selective estrogen activation effects can cause some serious side effects, including blood clots , stroke , and endometrial cancer.

If you and your doctor are considering tamoxifen as part of your treatment plan, tell your doctor if you smoke or have a history of blood clots or heart attack. If you're taking tamoxifen, call your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms:. Hot flashes or night sweats from taking tamoxifen can be troubling.

But a British study suggests that women who experienced hot flashes and night sweats while taking hormonal therapy medicine were less likely to have the breast cancer come back recur. Knowing that this side effect might indicate a reduced risk of the cancer coming back may help some people stick with treatment despite the side effects. Some women on tamoxifen have reported memory problems while taking the medicine.

While no definitive results are available yet, the ongoing Co-STAR Cognition in the Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene trial is looking at the effects tamoxifen and raloxifene have on memory and thinking.