Tamoxifen how long

More often, I listen to women who are afraid to stop the pills that they believe are keeping them healthy. There is a lot of discussion about how to talk with their doctors about staying on the drug for more than 10 years. There are, of course, some women who can't wait to stop the medication, who would strongly resist any suggestions that they continue past the anticipated stop date.

For some women, that is exactly what the doctor will suggest. For others, the recommendation will be to stop after a specific period. Like everything else related to cancer, this is a gray area, and the best and only advice is to talk with your doctor about your particular situation.

The equation will have to include any other medical problems, the presence of side effects, quality of life, and, of course, the specifics of your breast cancer. Do you take one of the hormonal therapies? How long have you been on it?

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If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call Close Alert. How Long is Too Long on Tamoxifen? Skip to main content. Home Information and support Facing breast cancer Going through breast cancer treatment Hormone therapy. Ovarian suppression and breast cancer Aromatase inhibitors anastrozole, exemestane and letrozole. Further support 1. Tamoxifen works by reducing the amount of oestrogen made in the body. Tamoxifen and coronavirus Covid Taking tamoxifen does not affect your risk of getting coronavirus or of becoming seriously ill if you do get it.

Primary breast cancer Tamoxifen may be prescribed if you have primary breast cancer. Breast cancer that has come back or spread Tamoxifen can also be used to treat people who have: Local recurrence Locally advanced breast cancer Secondary metastatic breast cancer To reduce the risk of breast cancer developing Tamoxifen may be an option for some people who do not have breast cancer but higher risk of developing it because of their family history.

Tamoxifen is taken as a tablet. Occasionally it may be prescribed as a liquid for people who have difficulty swallowing. The recommended dose for most people is 20mg daily. How long will I have to take tamoxifen? Sometimes tamoxifen is recommended after taking an aromatase inhibitor. Stopping tamoxifen Your treatment team will tell you when to stop taking tamoxifen.

Side effects of tamoxifen Like any drug, tamoxifen can cause side effects. Common side effects Menopausal symptoms The most common side effects of tamoxifen are menopausal symptoms such as: Hot flushes Night sweats and sleep disturbance Vaginal irritation such as dryness and itching Loss of sex drive Mood changes Headaches Vaginal discharge Vaginal discharge is common when taking tamoxifen.

If you are worried about this, let your treatment or GP know so they can rule out an infection. Effects on periods Women who are still having regular periods may find that their periods change. Sometimes periods may return after you stop taking tamoxifen. Fluid retention Tamoxifen can sometimes cause fluid retention, which may affect your weight. Indigestion or nausea Some people have indigestion or mild nausea feeling sick.

Effects on bone health If you are postmenopausal there is evidence that tamoxifen slows down bone loss, reducing the risk of osteoporosis thinning of the bone. Skin rash You may develop a skin rash, itchy or dry skin while taking tamoxifen.

Less common side effects Effects on the womb Tamoxifen can affect the lining of the womb uterus , known as the endometrium, which may become thickened. If you have any unexpected vaginal bleeding or pain, tell your GP or treatment team. Change to hair or facial hair Some women have some hair loss or hair thinning while taking tamoxifen.

A small number of women notice an increase in downy facial hair. Changes to vision There is a very slight risk of changes to your vision, including a slightly higher than usual risk of developing cataracts. If you notice any changes to your vision, tell your GP or treatment team.

Changes to the liver Tamoxifen can occasionally cause changes to how the liver works. Once you finish your treatment your liver will usually go back to normal. Other possible side effects Some women notice a change to their singing voice. Other reported side effects include: Joint pains Difficulty concentrating Headaches Leg cramps at night Are there different side effects for men?

Men can have similar side effects as women, such as hot flushes and headaches. Other important information Blood clots People with breast cancer have a higher risk of blood clots. Taking tamoxifen increases the risk of blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis DVT.

People taking tamoxifen need to be aware of the risk of blood clots and ways to reduce this. Can I take tamoxifen with other drugs? Herbal medicines and supplements Many people consider taking herbal products or supplements while having treatment for breast cancer.

Contraception while taking tamoxifen Taking tamoxifen while pregnant may be harmful to a developing baby. Non-hormonal methods include condoms, Femidoms or a diaphragm It may also be possible to use a coil IUD or intrauterine device.

If you think you may be pregnant, tell your specialist as soon as possible. Fertility, pregnancy and tamoxifen In most premenopausal women who take tamoxifen, the ovaries continue to work. Tamoxifen and breastfeeding Women taking tamoxifen are advised not to breastfeed as it may pass through the bloodstream into the breast milk. Further support Being diagnosed with breast cancer can make you feel lonely and isolated. You should use an effective non-hormonal type of birth control — such as condoms, a diaphragm along with spermicide, or a non-hormonal I.

Ask your doctor which type of non-hormonal birth control would be best for you. Since its approval in , tamoxifen has been used to treat millions of women and men diagnosed with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.

While an aromatase inhibitor is the first hormonal therapy medicine choice for postmenopausal women, tamoxifen is the first choice for premenopausal women and is still a good choice for postmenopausal women who can't take an aromatase inhibitor.

Tamoxifen offers other health benefits that aren't related to treating cancer. Because it's a SERM, it selectively either blocks or activates estrogen's action on specific cells.

While tamoxifen blocks estrogen's action on breast cells, it activates estrogen's action in bone and liver cells. So tamoxifen can:. The body uses an enzyme called CYP2D6 to convert tamoxifen into its active form. The CYP2D6 enzyme is not needed to activate raloxifene, a sister medicine to tamoxifen used to reduce the risk of developing hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer and treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

This list is incomplete and subject to change over time. Use it as a starting place and ask your doctor if any medications you are taking or that are recommended to you are compatible with tamoxifen. Kostandinos Sideras, James N. Ingle, Matthew M. Ames, Charles L. Loprinzi, David P. Mrazek, John L. Black, Richard M.