Tamoxifen (Nolvadex – Cytotam) 10 mg tablet is a triphenylethylene derivative, a non-steroidal antiestrogen used to treat breast cancer. It lowers the chance of getting breast cancer for those who are at high risk of acquiring the disease.
Tamoxifen may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Drug = Tamoxifen
Strength = 10 mg
Manufacturer = Cipla
Quantity per sleeve = 100 Tabs (for the price quoted)
How To Take Tamoxifen (Nolvadex – Cytotam) 10 mg Tablet
This medicine may be taken with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Tamoxifen must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take Tamoxifen exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Dosage of Tamoxifen (Nolvadex – Cytotam) 10 mg Tablet
Breast cancer: 20 mg/day as a single or in 2 divided doses. Maximum: 40 mg/day.
Reduction of breast cancer incidence in women at high risk: 20 mg/day for 5 years.
Anovulatory infertility: 20 mg/day on days 2-5 of the menstrual cycle, increase if necessary in subsequent cycles. Maximum: 80 mg/day.
Missed Tamoxifen (Nolvadex – Cytotam) 10 mg Tablet
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your usual dosing schedule.
Do not double a dose under any circumstances.
Overdose
Signs of overdose may include the following:
- Neurotoxicity
Seek medical help immediately.
Contraindications
People with the following medical conditions should not take Tamoxifen:
- History of DVT or pulmonary embolism
- Pregnancy and lactation
- Concomitant coumarin-type anticoagulant therapy
Side Effects of Tamoxifen (Nolvadex – Cytotam) 10 mg Tablet
Tamoxifen may have the following side effects:
- Hot flushes
- Gastrointestinal intolerance
- Nausea
- Fluid retention
- Vaginal bleeding or discharge
- Pruritus vulvae
- Dry skin
- Rashes
- Alopecia
- Headache
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Muscle cramps
- Transient thrombocytopenia and leukopenia
- Thromboembolism
- Uterine fibroids
- Endometrial changes
- Menstruation suppression
- Cystic ovarian swelling
- Increased liver enzymes
- Hypertriglyceridemia
- Loss of visual acuity
- Blurred vision
- Cataracts
- Retinopathies
- Corneal opacities
- Hepatitis
- Cholestasis
- Interstitial pneumonitis
Potentially Fatal:
- Stroke
- Pulmonary embolism
- Uterine sarcoma
- Endometrial cancer
Warnings of Tamoxifen (Nolvadex – Cytotam) 10 mg Tablet
Do not use Tamoxifen in people with the following conditions:
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Pulmonary embolism
- Pregnancy
- Lactation
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- Warfarin
- Aminoglutethimide
- Anastrozole
- Letrozole
- Allopurinol
- Rifampicin
- Bupropion
- Duloxetine
- Fluoxetine
- Paroxetine
- Sertraline
- Tacrolimus
- Bromocriptine
- Phenobarbital
- Birth control pills
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Tamoxifen.
How Does It Work?
Tamoxifen works by producing a nuclear complex through competitive binding to estrogen receptors on tumors and other tissue targets, thereby reducing DNA synthesis and inhibiting estrogen effects.
Uses
Tamoxifen is used to treat the following conditions:
- Breast cancer
- Reduction of breast cancer incidence in women at high risk
- Anovulatory infertility
Special Precautions and Connected Warnings
Take special precautions if you have the following conditions:
- Patient with leukopenia and thrombocytopenia
- Hyperlipidemias
- CYP2D6 poor and intermediate metabolizer
- Avoid alcohol
- Avoid excessive consumption (more than 1 litre a day) of grapefruit juice.
Storage Conditions
- Store between 20-25°C. Protect from light.
- Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
- As this is a cancer medicine, always return any unused or expired tablets/solution to the clinic, hospital or pharmacy for disposal. Do not throw it away in the household waste.
- Do not use Tamoxifen that is expired or out of expiry date.
