Description
Tamoxifen Tablets 20 mg #30
Tamoxifen is a medication used to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic breast cancer), to treat breast cancer in certain patients after surgery and radiation therapy, and to reduce the chances of breast cancer in high-risk patients.
Composition
Each tablet of Tamoxifen 20 mg contains the following active and inactive ingredients: Tamoxifen citrate equivalent to 20 mg of Tamoxifen, corn starch, lactose, magnesium stearate, and pre-gelatinized starch.
Dosage
The usual recommended dose is 20 mg daily. Doses greater than 20 mg per day should be given in divided doses (morning and evening).
Indications
Tamoxifen is used to treat certain types of breast cancer (such as hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer) in men and women. It is also used to lower a woman’s chance of developing breast cancer if she has a high risk (such as a family history of breast cancer).
Contraindications
Tamoxifen should not be used in people with known hypersensitivity to tamoxifen, in women who require concomitant coumarin-type anticoagulant therapy or in women with a history of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary emboli. Also, it is not recommended for women who are or may become pregnant.
Interaction
When Tamoxifen is taken with certain medications, its effectiveness may be altered. It’s important to inform your healthcare provider about all the medications you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal products.
Side effects
Most people using this medication do not have serious side effects. However, some side effects may occur, including hot flashes, nausea, leg cramps, muscle aches, hair thinning, headache, and numb/tingling skin. Severe side effects include mood changes, unusual tiredness, vision changes, swelling of ankles/feet, unusual bleeding/bruising, and signs of infection.
Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Precautions
Before starting Tamoxifen treatment, make sure you tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking (including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, herbal remedies, etc.). Do not take aspirin, or products containing aspirin unless your doctor specifically permits this.
Overdose
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. Symptoms of overdose may include: shaking, unsteady walking, fainting, irregular heartbeat.
Mechanism of Action
Tamoxifen belongs to a class of drugs known as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), which have both estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects. Tamoxifen has antiestrogenic effects on breast tissue, but it has estrogenic effects on other tissues, including the endometrium, bone, and liver. This mixed profile of effects leads to the therapeutic benefits and side effects of tamoxifen.
Pharmacokinetics
Tamoxifen is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and it reaches peak plasma concentrations within 3 to 7 hours. It is extensively metabolized in the liver and has a half-life of 5 to 7 days.
Warnings
It is advisable not to use Tamoxifen if you are pregnant as it could harm the unborn baby. Do not use this medicine without telling your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby. Tamoxifen may slow breast milk production.
Pregnancy Category
Tamoxifen falls under Category D of the FDA’s pregnancy categories. This means that this medication is known to be harmful to fetuses. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not use this medication.
Lactation
It is not known whether Tamoxifen passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. This medication may slow breast milk production. Breastfeeding while using this drug is not recommended.
Important Safety Information
Tamoxifen may increase your risk of developing uterine cancer, stroke, or a blood clot in the lung, which can be fatal. Talk with your doctor about your specific risks in taking this medication.
Additional Information
Tamoxifen has been used for a number of years to treat breast cancer that is hormone receptor-positive. This means that the cancer cells grow in response to estrogen. Tamoxifen works by blocking the effects of estrogen.
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