Tamoxifen UK

Tamoxifen UK is a hormone therapy drug to treat breast cancer in women and men. It is also sometimes called endocrine therapy. You pronounce tamoxifen as ta-mox-si-fen.

It’s a treatment for:

• early breast cancer
• secondary breast cancer

Women who have a high risk of breast cancer because of a family history might have tamoxifen. This is to reduce the risk of breast cancer from developing.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use tamoxifen UK if you are allergic to it.

Tamoxifen may harm an unborn baby. You may need a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant. Use birth control while using tamoxifen UK and for at least 2 months after your last dose. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

To prevent pregnancy while using tamoxifen, use a barrier form of birth control: condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, or contraceptive sponge. Avoid using hormonal birth control, including birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings.

You should not use tamoxifen to reduce your risk of breast cancer if you also take warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

To make sure tamoxifen UK is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• a stroke or blood clot;
• liver disease;
• high cholesterol or triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood);
• cataracts;
• chemotherapy; or
• if you also use anastrozole or letrozole.

Taking tamoxifen UK may increase your risk of uterine cancer, liver cancer, stroke, or a blood clot in the lung, which can be fatal. Talk with your doctor about your risks.

Do not breastfeed while using tamoxifen, and for at least 3 months after your last dose.

This medicine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take tamoxifen?

Take tamoxifen UK exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Measure liquid medicine with the supplied syringe or a dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Take it with or without food.

You may need to keep using this medicine for 5 to 10 years.

Have regular physical exams and mammograms, and self-examine your breasts for lumps every month while using tamoxifen.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using tamoxifen UK.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not refrigerate or freeze. Throw away any leftover liquid medicine 3 months after you first opened the bottle.