Tamoxifen

Tamoxifen (Nolvadex tablets) is an effective drug that is prescribed for treating and preventing certain types of breast cancer. The drug is also administered to women who are having high risk for breast cancer.

Drug Uses

Tamoxifen treats and prevents certain kinds of breast cancer. It is also prescribed for women who are at a higher risk for breast cancer.

How Taken

Follow your doctor's prescription while using Tamoxifen. Never take more amounts of the drug or take it for longer periods than what your doctor has advised. Tamoxifen can be taken with food or in empty stomach. Only regular use of the drug will give the desired effect. The doctors generally prescribe the drug for up to 5 years.

Missed Dose

It is better not to miss any dosage of Tamoxifen. In case a dose is missed, do not delay in taking it as soon as you remember it. But if it is almost time for your regular dosage, skip the missed dose and continue with your scheduled doses. It is not good to mix two doses of Tamoxifen.

In case you feel of having taken an overdose, never delay in seeking medical help.

More Information

Tamoxifen is known to increase the risk of stroke, uterine cancer or blood clot in the lung. Before taking the drug, you should have to discuss with your doctor about all the risks and benefits of using the drug.

While discussing with you physician, make sure that you talk about all your health conditions, including your allergies to any particular medicine or food. Inform him if you have a history of stroke, blood clot, cataract; liver diseases and high triglycerides. You should also intimate your doctor if you are on chemotherapy or any radiation treatment.

Warnings/Precautions

When you are on Tamoxifen medication, you should never miss your appointments and lab tests. The doctor may suggest regular mammogram and liver tests.

Tamoxifen is rated FDA pregnancy category D, which means it can cause harm to the unborn. If you become pregnant while using the drug, you should have to inform your doctor immediately. It is better not to get pregnant during Tamoxifen medication. It is not known if Tamoxifen is excreted into breast milk. However, it is better not to breast feed while you are on Tamoxifen medication.

Side efercts

Hives, breathing difficulty and swelling (lips, face, tongue throat) are some of the allergic reactions that come with Tamoxifen. Once you experience any of these allergic reactions, stop the drug and contact your doctor immediately.

Tamoxifen also comes with serious as well as lesser side effects. Sudden numbness, sudden headache, vision problems, speech problems, chest pain, coughing up blood, pain or swelling in one or both legs, irregular menstrual periods, unusual vaginal bleeding, pain in pelvic area, fever, flu symptoms and easy bruising, new breast lumps, loss of appetite, clay-colored stools, dark urine and jaundice are some of the severe side effects.

The lesser known tamoxifen side effects include hot flashes, tingly feeling under your skin, pain the joints or bone, redness, swelling in hands or feet, weight loss, vaginal itching, nausea and decreased sex drive.

In the new era, everyone is busy in his work. No one has the time to go out with his family for recreation. Recreation is very necessary in your daily life because it really helps the person to minimize the chances of getting any disease or health problem. You will be familiar about different diseases which play their role in our lives. Sometimes, the person becomes helpless and finds no way to get rid of the disease. This situation mostly occurs in very dreadful diseases i.e. cancer. This is very hazardous disease for the healthy body so you should try to avoid those things which are the causes of this disease. Cancer could be of any type but here I shall discuss you about the breast cancer and the medicine used to reduce the incidence of breast cancer.