Nolvadex (Tamoxifen) Review

Nolvadex is the brand name for the more commonly prescribed generic form, tamoxifen. Nolvadex is commonly prescribed to block the production of estrogen, which needs to be minimized to help treat hormone based cancers, such as breast cancer. In some instances, this medication is used as a preventative measure when the breast cancer gene and family history warrant such concern.

Nolvadex is not appropriate for every patient and a thorough medical assessment should be performed prior to prescribing this medication. Patients with a medical history which includes cataracts, blood clots, stroke, liver disease, high levels of triglycerides, or current chemotherapy treatments or radiation therapy may not be able to tolerate this medicine or may require careful monitoring and testing while undergoing drug therapy with Nolvadex.

The American Food and Drug Administration rated Nolvadex as a pregnancy risk category D. It has been proven to cause birth defect or damage to a developing fetus. Women who are nursing can pass Nolvadex through their breast milk and affect a nursing infant. Women who are pregnant, nursing, or who may become pregnant should not take this medication. Pregnancy tests should be done to confirm a lack of pregnancy before proceeding.

There is a risk of developing uterine cancer, blood clots in the lung (pulmonary embolism, and strokes from taking Nolvadex. Patients should be made fully aware of the risks versus the benefit before starting this medicine.

If the patient misses a dose, the dose should be taken as soon as possible. However, if it almost time for the following dose, the missed dose should be skipped and dosing should resume as normal at the next dose. Patients should be instructed never to take a double dose of this medicine as well as refraining from taking their doses too closely together.

An overdose is a serious medical event and should be treated as such. An overdose of Nolvadex may result in serious complications. The nature of the medication makes it difficult to discern potential symptoms.

Patients who are just beginning to take Nolvadex are likely to have side effects, especially in the beginning stages. Most side effects are generally mild and carry no real risk to the patient’s health. Common, mild side effects may include nausea, cough, sore throat, vaginal itching, vaginal dryness, thinning hair, headaches, dizziness, weight loss, depression, redness of the skin, skin changes, bone of joint pain, pain at the site of the tumor, swelling of the hands and feet, hot flashes, warmth and tingles under the skin, and sexual dysfunction.

More serious side effects require immediate emergency medical attention. Allergic reactions, noted by swelling of the facial features, throat, or tongue, hives, and difficulty breathing, require immediate care. Other serious side effects can include new breast lumps, pain and pressure in the pelvic region, chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, sudden numbness or weakness that dominates one side of the body, a sudden onset headache accompanied by confusion, balance and speech problems, and visual distortion, unusual vaginal bleeding, unusual vaginal discharge, pain or swelling of either one or both legs, irregular menses, pale skin with unexplained bruising and excessive bleeding, flu symptoms, and low fever with nausea, poor appetite, stomach discomfort, dark urine, clay colored stools, and jaundice.

Patients should always inquire with the prescribing physician before taking any type of new medication, including over the counter medication, prescription medication, or supplements, vitamin or herbal. There are some medicines which will cause serious interactions if mixed with Nolvadex. Some medications with a known history of interaction include blood thinners, letrozole, anastrozole, rifampin, bromocriptine, and aminoglutethimide.