Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet is an anti-estrogens. It is used in the treatment of breast cancer. It is also used to reduce the risk of breast cancer in pre- and postmenopausal women with a high risk. This medicine helps to slow down the growth and multiplication of cancer cells.
Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet is also helpful in the treatment of infertility. It can be taken with or without food, but take it at the same time to get the most benefit. It should be taken as your doctor's advice. The dose and how often you take it depends on what you are taking it for. Your doctor will decide how much you need to improve your symptoms. Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. This medicine is generally taken for 10 to 15 years. You should take this medicine for as long as it is prescribed for you.
The most common side effects of this medicine include hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal bleeding, nausea, and fluid retention. If these bother you or appear serious, let your doctor know. There may be ways of reducing or preventing them. Some side effects may mean you should inform your doctor immediately include vaginal bleeding, irregular menstrual period, and vaginal discharge. It makes birth control pills less effective, hence use a condom and other preventive measures to avoid pregnancy.
Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you are on treatment of infertility or had a blood clot disorder. Your doctor should also know about all other medicines you are taking as many of these may make this medicine less effective or change the way it works. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your doctor may perform some blood tests to check liver function and calcium level in the body.
Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet relieves the symptoms of breast cancer such as breast lumps, bloody discharge from nipple or changes in the shape or texture of the breast. It works by altering the production of those hormones in the body that are essential for the growth and spread of breast cancer, both in pre as well as postmenopausal women. It may also interact with other hormones or have a direct effect on the cancer to stop its growth.
Side effects of Tamoxifen Citrate Tablet
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Tamoxifen Citrate
Vaginal discharge
Mood swings
Fatigue
Nausea
Skin rash
Vaginal bleeding
Constipation
Fluid retention
Hot flushes
Hair loss
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Fibroid
Anemia (low number of red blood cells)
Hypersensitivity
Ischemic cerebrovascular events
Headache
Lightheadedness
Sensory disturbance
Cataract
Retinopathy
Thromboembolic events
Abnormal liver enzyme
Fatty liver disease
Leg cramps
Muscle pain
Vaginal itching
Endometrial changes
Increased triglyceride level in blood
How to use Tamoxifen Citrate Tablet
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Tamoxifen Citrate Tablet works
Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet is a hormone-based medication. It works by binding to estrogen receptors and blocking the effects of estrogen (a natural female hormone) in the breast tissue. This slows down the growth and multiplication of breast cancer cells.
Safety advice
Alcohol
UNSAFE
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet.
Pregnancy
UNSAFE
Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet is highly unsafe to use during pregnancy. Seek your doctor's advice as studies on pregnant women and animals have shown significant harmful effects to the developing baby.
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Driving
UNSAFE
Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.
Kidney
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
There is limited information available on the use of Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.
All substitutes
For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet helps treat breast cancer.
It also reduces the risk of cancer coming back and of getting cancer in the other breast.
Use a reliable barrier contraceptive method (such as condoms) to prevent pregnancy while you are taking this medicine and for 2 months after you stop taking it.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding.
Inform your doctor if your periods become irregular, especially if associated with heavier bleeding.
Do not stop taking the medicine without talking to your doctor first.
Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet helps treat breast cancer.
It also reduces the risk of cancer coming back and of getting cancer in the other breast.
Use a reliable barrier contraceptive method (such as condoms) to prevent pregnancy while you are taking this medicine and for 2 months after you stop taking it.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding.
Inform your doctor if your periods become irregular, especially if associated with heavier bleeding.
Do not stop taking the medicine without talking to your doctor first.
Fact Box
Chemical Class
Nonsteroidal Antiestrogen
Habit Forming
No
Therapeutic Class
ANTI NEOPLASTICS
Action Class
Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERM)- Breast Cx
Patient concerns
I had a 1-2 Stage breast cancer and mastectomy was done for left breast in 2011. Earlier I was taking Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg. Now, prescribed Altraz 1mg. Which is better and can I continue with Tamoxifen as Altraz is too costly.
Dr. Vijay Sharnangat
Medical Oncology and Hematology
Why this tablet is changed, has your doctor told you about that why he is changing your medicines.
surger and chemotherapy radiation therapy has done for breast cancer stage II. Presently hormone treatment is going on. Tamoxifen citrate tablet 20 is taking every day for 5 years as per dactors prescription. Can you suggest any new medicine for further treatment
I took steroids for bodybuilding,but did not complete the post cycle therapy now my testosterone level is quite low as for my age post cycle includes hcg,tamoxifen,clomifene citrate i need hcg shots to start producing testosterone,a nd also for shrunken testis and tamoxifen for infertility guide me
I am PATIENT have pain in my breastes and feel very weight before one week of my menstrual perieds date Is it any symptoms of breast cancer ? Need your advice And also having back pain during menstrual dates please give your valubel advice
Q. What is Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet and for what it is used for?
Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet contains a medicine, Tamoxifen which works against a female sex hormone estrogen. It is used in the treatment of estrogen dependent breast cancer in women. It may also be used in the treatment of estrogen-dependent breast cancer in males.
Q. How and in what dose should I use Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet?
Take it as per the advice of your doctor. The number of doses you take each day and the duration depends on your medical problem. Take your tablet at about the same time every day to ensure consistent levels of medicine in your body. You can take it with or without food. Treatment with Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet may be long term and you may require to take it for several years.
Q. What if I forget to take Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet?
If you forget to take a dose of Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near to your next dose, skip it and follow your usual dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for the forgotten one.
Q. What if I stop taking Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet?
Do not stop taking Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet, even if you start feeling well, unless your doctor tells you. Stopping it early may increase the risk of breast cancer coming back.
Q. What are the common side effects of using Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet?
The most common side effects associated with Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet include menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disturbance, vaginal irritation, loss of sex drive and mood changes. It may also cause fluid retention, vaginal discharge, indigestion, nausea, and changes in your periods. If any of these bother you, consult with your doctor.
Q. What is Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet and for what it is used for?
Tamoxifen is a medicine, which works against estrogen, a female sex hormone. It is used in the treatment of estrogen dependent breast cancer in women. It may also be used in the treatment of estrogen-dependent breast cancer in males.
Q. How and in what dose should I use Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet?
Take it as per the advice of your doctor. The number of doses you take each day and the duration depends on your medical problem. Take your tablet at about the same time every day to ensure consistent levels of medicine in your body. You can take it with or without food. Treatment with Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet may be long term and you may require to take it for several years.
Q. What if I forget to take Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet?
If you forget to take a dose of Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near to your next dose, skip it and follow your usual dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for the forgotten one.
Q. What if I stop taking Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet?
Do not stop taking Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet, even if you start feeling well, unless your doctor tells you. Stopping it early may increase the risk of breast cancer coming back.
Q. What are the common side effects of using Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet?
The most common side effects associated with Tamoxifen Citrate 20mg Tablet include menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disturbance, vaginal irritation, loss of sex drive and mood changes. It may also cause fluid retention, vaginal discharge, indigestion, nausea, and changes in your periods. If any of these bother you, consult with your doctor.
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References
Moy B, Lee RJ, Smith M. Natural Products in Cancer Chemotherapy: Hormones and Related Agents. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1756-59.
Chrousos GP. The Gonadal Hormones & Inhibitors. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 716.
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 1311-14.