Nolvadex

What is this Novladex?

Tamoxifen is an oral medication, which interferes with the female hormone estrogen that some breast cancer cells need in order to grow, and is used for treating breast cancer in women and in some cases in men as well. It has been used for more than 30 years as a treatment and for close to 10 years as a preventative measure for women, who are considered high risk.

What should I tell my doctor before I use this medication?

Inform your doctor about your allergies, health problems such as liver disease, high cholesterol, and history of cataract, blood clots, or strokes. Discuss with your healthcare provider the possible risks and side effects that Tamoxifen can cause, and tell him about the other treatments or therapies that you are using.

How should I take this medication?

Take this medication as your doctor has prescribed and do not change the recommended strength without speaking to your doctor first. Take the pills with a full glass of water, with or without food, and swallow the pill whole, without crushing or chewing it. Try taking the pill at the same time each day, which will reduce the chances of missing a dose.

What drugs may interact with this medication?

Tamoxifen should not be used with letrozole and anastrozole since this could cause serious interactions, but you should also inform your doctor if you are taking SSRI antidepressants, “blood thinners,” hormonal birth control medications, estrogens, cimetidine, paroxetine, and fluoxetine. This list is not full and other drugs interactions are possible and could either present health hazard or diminish the effectiveness of this medication!

What should I be aware of while taking Tamoxifen?

You should not take Tamoxifen during pregnancy – if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the available alternatives. In order to prevent getting pregnant while receiving the treatment, you should use non-hormonal birth control methods such as diaphragms or condoms. Even though there are no indications that the medication is passed into the breast milk, you should avoid breastfeeding while taking it.

What are the possible side effects?

The use of Tamoxifen comes with benefits that greatly outweigh the possible side effects, but the risk of adverse reactions still exists and the most common of them are nausea, hair thinning, headache, and hot flashes. Some men that have been treated with Tamoxifen have reported decreased sexual libido and activity. In extremely rare cases, more serious adverse reactions such as vision problems, eye pain, eye bruising, feet swelling, and mood changes could occur. If you experience severe side effects, inform your doctor immediately.

How should I store my medication?

You should store Tamoxifen in its original, tightly closed container, away from the reach of children, and at temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Keep the pills away from moisture, light, and heat and dispose of the expired tablets in a safe manner.