Tamoxifen, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Generic and brand names: tamoxifen, oral; Nolvadex

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat:

• metastatic (spreading) cancer in men and women
• metastatic breast cancer in women who still have regular monthly periods
• breast cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes in women who still have regular monthly periods and have had partial or full mastectomy (removal of the breast) or radiation
• ductal carcinoma (cancer inside the ducts of the breast) that may follow breast surgery and radiation.
• other conditions as determined by your oncologist or other health care provider.

This medicine may be taken as an alternative to radiation or removing the ovaries to prevent the spread of cancer of the ovaries.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Do not take this medicine if you are taking blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin), or if you have a history of blood clots.

Females of childbearing age: Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding because it can harm the baby. Talk to your health care provider if you need birth control. Birth control pills may not prevent pregnancy while you are taking this medicine. Also, contact your health care provider at the first sign of pregnancy.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes. Do not stop taking it, even if you feel better. You may have to take this medicine for a long time, sometimes for as long as 5 years.

What should I watch out for?

You will need to have regular blood tests to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

Contact your health care provider right away if you have any abnormal vaginal bleeding while you are taking this medicine.

This medicine may cause dizziness or blurred vision. Do not drive or operate machinery until you are fully alert and can see clearly.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, weakness, bone pain, pain or swelling in your legs, shortness of breath, vision changes, menstrual changes, mental confusion, weight gain, vaginal itching.

Other: Dizziness, hot flashes, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, loss of taste for food (tell your health care provider if it is severe), impotence in males.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• bromocriptine (Parlodel).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.