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Tamoxifen may cause uterine cancer, strokes, and blood clots in the lungs. Tell your doctor if you have ever had a blood clot in the lungs or legs, a stroke, or a heart attack. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: abnormal vaginal bleeding, irregular menstrual periods, changes in vaginal discharge, or pelvic pain or pressure. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking tamoxifen to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. In women who do have breast cancer, the benefits of tamoxifen outweigh the risks. |
Your doctor has ordered the drug tamoxifen to help treat your illness. Tamoxifen comes as tablet to take by mouth.
This medication is used to:
Tamoxifen is in a class of drugs known as antiestrogens; it blocks the activity of estrogen, a female hormone produced by the body in the breast. The length of treatment depends on the types of drugs you are taking, how well your body responds to them, and the type of cancer you have.
Tamoxifen is also used sometimes to induce ovulation (egg production) in women who do not produce ova (eggs) but wish to become pregnant, to treat breast pain, and to decrease the size and pain of gynecomastia (swelling and tenderness of the breast). Tamoxifen may be useful in in treating carcinoid tumors. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Before taking tamoxifen,
Tamoxifen may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
Tamoxifen may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this drug.
Keep tamoxifen in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
Last Revised - 04/01/2003
The MedMaster Patient Drug Information database provides information copyrighted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland Copyright© 2004. All Rights Reserved.
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Page last updated: 04 October 2004 |