Tamoxifen is used for follow-up treatment after initial treatment of breast cancer. Tamoxifen is also used to treat daughter ulcers in a breast cancer tumor.
What is the purpose of this ingredient?
- Prevent recurrence of mammary cancers
- Inhibit the development of secondary tumors
- Destroy mammary cancer cells and their secondary tumors
This is how Tamoxifen works
Below you will learn more about the fields of application and the mode of action of tamoxifen.
Please also read the information on the drug classes antiestrogens, cytostatics, to which the active ingredient tamoxifen belongs.
Application of the active ingredient Tamoxifen
Tamoxifen is used for follow-up treatment after initial treatment of breast cancer. Tamoxifen is also used to treat daughter ulcers in a breast cancer tumor.
In addition, tamoxifen has been shown to be effective in preventing breast cancer in high-risk patients in a four-year clinical trial (National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project).
For the following application areas of Tamoxifen , in-depth information is available:
- breast cancer
Effect of Tamoxifen
Some cancers are promoted in their formation and growth by hormones. This is, for example, the case of breast cancer, whose development and spread is dependent on the female sex hormone estrogen. The estrogen attaches to special hormone receptors on the cancer cells and stimulates them to grow.
Tamoxifen belongs to the drug class of antiestrogens and typically blocks the binding of estrogen to the hormone receptor of cancer cells. Due to the lack of growth signal by the hormone there is a decrease in cell proliferation. In the case of metastatic breast cancer, treatment with tamoxifen causes complete or partial regression in about 30% of cases, especially of the secondary tumors in the soft tissues and bones. The probability of recurrence is even around 50 to 60 percent if the presence of estrogen receptors in the tumor tissue has been proven.
In early-stage breast cancer, prolonged non-relapse and survival time can be achieved by tamoxifen therapy after surgery.
Tamoxifen itself does not inhibit the growth of cancer cells. The active substance is converted into the active form endoxifen after absorption into the body in the liver by the enzyme CYP2D6.
Potential Tamoxifen side effects may include:
Tamoxifen used to treat the following diseases:
Tamoxifen for Breast cancer
After taking Tamoxifen for 15 months, I am currently ready to discontinue this drug on the spot. The hot flashes are limited, worse is the total exhaustion and fatigue. Can not go 50 steps without being completely out of breath, climbing stairs is an abomination !!! Because of diabetes melitus 2, I have been trying for some time to lose weight. Unfortunately this does not succeed. In addition, there is a buildup of water in the right ankle, occasionally bone and joint pain, which I get control of with Voltaren tablets. Since the second month of use, increased vaginal discharge has occurred. Since I have a lot to do in my job and my quality of life is also very important to me, I will try to have other tablets like Fareston or Evista prescribed.
Side effects: Vaginal discharge; Water storages; Fatigue; Bone pain; Joint pain; Hot flashes
Tamoxifen for Breast cancer
Anxiety libido loss aggressiveness
Side effects: Aggressiveness; Anxiety states; Libido loss
Tamoxifen for Breast cancer
I am taking Tamoxifen 20mg since January 2010. First, I had extreme hot flashes and sweats. This has settled after about 4 – 5 months. Hot flashes rarely occur. But I suffer from severe bone pain and water retention, especially in the feet. I have totally broken fingernails. However, what I am particularly worried about is the weight gain of now about 12 kg. And my eyesight has deteriorated in the past few months. Lymphatic drainage helps with the water retention, I take homeopathic remedies for joint pain. Furthermore, I started Nordic Walking. Since then, my general condition has improved a lot.
Side effects: Brittle fingernails; Vision loss; Bone pain; Increase in weight; Hot flashes
Tamoxifen for Breast cancer
After breast-conserved surgery, chemo and radiation, I got zoladex and tamoxifen prescribed for 1 year from July 2008. In the first year I took between 5 and 8 kilos, sporty was almost nothing. Every staircase was a pain, I ran out of steam, housework takes twice as long and jogging (previously 3x weekly 1-1 1/2 hours) was unthinkable. Since taking I am struggling with sleep disorders (max. 3 hours sleep per night), fatigue and hot flashes. After finishing with Zoladex it was at least physically up again a bit. My athletic motivation is on the rise. Weight problems (especially stomach), deterioration of visual acuity, hair loss and brittle fingernails. Have a health practitioner visited and so at least the tiredness and hot flashes have improved. I’m really thinking of whether I still go through the remaining 2 years of tamoxifen intake!
Side effects: Brittle fingernails; Hair loss; Sleep disorders; Fatigue; Increase in weight; Hot flashes
Tamoxifen for Breast cancer
Tamoxifen for a year. Full program breast cancer surgery at the age of 48 years, breast conservative, chemo (6 times a session) and 36 times radiation. And now the side effects, insane hot flashes, sleepless nights, depression, lack of concentration, toenails had loosened, since March frail thin-grooved thin, badly growing fingernails, torn fingertips, so that sometimes you can barely handle. Vaginal discharge or abdominal pain and bone pain comlettis. Problems with the sense of taste. So, everything that the others have.
Side effects: Brittle fingernails; Depression; Concentration difficulties; Insomnia; Bone pain; Hot flashes
Tamoxifen for Breast cancer
Slowly and very insidiously, the side effects have set and strengthened so much that I discontinued the drug prematurely after taking one year. By the side effects (especially strong pain in all joints and muscles, listlessness, hair loss, nail brittleness, strong mood swings, sleep problem etc.) my quality of life was so severely limited that it became unbearable! The drug has actually done its work, but – from my personal point of view – the price is too high.
Side effects: Depression; Fingernail fragility; Muscle aches; Mood swings; Listlessness; Hair loss; Joint pain
Tamoxifen for Breast cancer
After the third breast surgery and removal of the right breast, I was prescribed FEMARA. I take this medicine now half a year. After a short time of taking already significant increase in body weight. Listlessness, depression, memory failure, skin rash pimples. Listlessness in the sex life. The quality of life has diminished considerably. Now, after talking to my gynecologist and contacting an oncologist, try to get another solution or medicine. In the last five years of my breast cancer, I took tamoxifen and had virtually no side effects. 28/05/2011
Side effects: Memory disorders; Listlessness; Libido loss; Depressions; Increase in weight
Always very tired, and always able to sleep
Side effects: Members hurt; Sweat; Fatigue; Hot flashes
Who can give me a hint? In 2011 I had undergone breast conserving surgery on a lime deposit in the chest. So far so good, since 3 years I take Tamoxifen, altogether it is to be taken 5 years, says my gynecologist. Before that, I had 28 radiations, for about 10 months I had such heavy legs and body aches, as if I were shocked many miles every day. Even small efforts or long walks bring great pain in the legs and back and the night is already over. I have never had such a problem, no problems, who is the same, maybe there is another drug, which is more compatible and does not have these side effects? Doro
Side effects: Members hurt
Tamoxifen for Breast cancer
take tamoxifen is 8 mon. in addition zometa and trenantone. heat flashes up to 30 on the day of concentration disturbances chills and cold sensation even in high summer, but still after 5 hrs. work is 2 hours. lie down hip (recharge) HAVE LESS WITH LEGS. but that medicine keeps me alive. So you have to look at the whole thing a bit sporty.
Side effects: Chills; Concentration disorders; Hot flashes
Tamoxifen for Breast cancer
have just described my experience, comes to this: bone pain, muscle weakness, especially after Zometa (1/4 a year) for 2 nights chills and body aches, after taking ibuprofen better. Also gaining weight overall by taking tamoxifen and Herceptin (treatment ended on 13/03/2008)
Side effects: Members hurt; Chills; Bone pain
Tamoxifen for Breast cancer
severe tiredness, weakness, insomnia, restlessness, leg cramps at night, fast impatient, slight heat flashes
Side effects: Unrest; Calf cramps; Weakness; Sleep disorders; Fatigue; Hot flashes
Tamoxifen for Breast cancer
Sleep disorders, hot flashes, agitation, skin problems, bones / muscle pain, in the beginning some nausea, sometimes also weariness, headache,
Side effects: Unrest; Muscle aches; Headache; Sleep disorders; Bone pain; Hot flashes
Tamoxifen for Breast cancer
Hot flashes and heavy sweating especially at night. Sleep disorders and restlessness Bone pain and fatigue.
Side effects: Unrest; Sweat; Sleep disorders; Fatigue; Bone pain; Hot flashes
Tamoxifen for Breast cancer
I think I have everything there is to side effects. Hizblasungen but the finest. I have gained about 25 kg, water accumulation spread over the whole body, extreme in the hands and legs. Shortness of breath is also nothing extraordinary not only under stress. Some of my joints hurt all day. At 49, I feel like an old woman. Even my eyes have changed / worsened and burn constantly. Sleep in one piece, again a whole night, would be great, but not more. Add to that fatigue and fatigue. The meantime extreme hair loss has improved a bit, but the hair is brittle and dull. Fragile are my fingernails. So I think I could go on. If I was not that stubborn, I’d have dropped that stuff long ago.
Side effects: Difficulty in breathing; Hair change; Fingernail fragility; Water storages; Hair loss; Fatigue; Joint pain; Increase in weight; Hot flashes
Tamoxifen for Breast cancer
Receive Zoladex since October, I have lack of energy, hot flashes even at night, but I’ve gotten used to, I have the stress more often! Concentration weakness, under stress air shortage. Since 10 days tamoxifen, have increased a lot (5Kilo), I still miss that, I hope that does not stay that way.
Side effects: Difficulty in breathing; Concentration disorders; Listlessness; Increase in weight; Hot flashes
Tamoxifen for Breast cancer
I’ve been taking Tamoxifen 20 for almost 1 year, plus I’ve been following Herceptin treatment for 1 year …. I’ve had a lot of bone and back pain and itching all over my body, and of course a few pounds. I’m still alive and I’m glad that there are any medicines for prevention …
Side effects: Back pain; Itching; Bone pain; Increase in weight
Tamoxifen for Breast cancer
Headache, freezing, joint pain, calf cramps, hot flashes especially at night, hearing loss, weight gain, alcohol intolerance, hair loss, susceptibility to infection, water retention, ovarian cysts, gum problems
Side effects: Calf cramps; Headache; Water storages; Hair loss; Joint pain; Increase in weight; Hot flashes
Tamoxifen for Breast cancer
About 2 weeks after the start of treatment, the first side effects occurred. Nocturnal leg cramps, hot flashes, sleep disturbances. Take the drug now for 4 weeks and it has remained with these side effects so far. I hope now that there will be no other adverse effects from the drug during treatment.
Side effects: Calf cramps; Sleep disorders; Hot flashes
Tamoxifen for Breast cancer
My experiences are, I have very strong Schweisausbrüche, Gefühsschwankungen, joint pain but only when it is cold. I have already gained 7 kg in weight, that bothers me a lot. From time to time I am Depressed and Aggressive. I can live well with that, but not with the increase in weight, that still makes me crazy. I often have sleep problems as well. I would prefer to take nothing more. With the removal of the ovaries, I thought I need tamoxifen no longer take, but unfortunately it was not so. I’m totally draughty about my weight, and my gynecologist’s statement is just that, that’s normal.
Side effects: Aggressiveness; Depressive moods; Sweats; Mood swings; Sleep disorders; Joint pain; Increase in weight