TAMOXIFEN

(ta MOX i fen) Brand: Soltamox

What is the most significant information I must know about tamoxifen?

• Do not use tamoxifen if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn child. Use a barrier form of birth control (such as a condom or diaphragm with spermicide) while you are using this medicine and for at least 2 months after your treatment ends.

• You must not use tamoxifen if you are allergic to it, or if you have a history of blood clots in your veins or your lungs, or if you are also taking a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin).

• Till using tamoxifen, speak your doctor if you have liver malady, tall triglycerides (a type of thick in the blood), a history of cataract, or a history of stroke or blood clot. Also speak your doctor if you if you are receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

• If you are taking tamoxifen to reduce your risk of breast cancer, you may need to take your first doze while you are having a menstrual period. You may also need to have a pregnancy test till you start taking tamoxifen, to create certain you are not pregnant. Follow your doctor's instructions.

• Taking tamoxifen may magnify your risk of uterine cancer, stroke, or a blood clot in the lung, which can be fatal. Conversation with your doctor about your specific risks in taking this medication.

• To create certain this medicine is not causing deleterious effects, your doctor may want you to have mammograms and to perform routine breast self exams on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

What is tamoxifen?

• Tamoxifen blocks the actions of estrogen, a female hormone. Determined types of breast cancer require estrogen to grow.

• Tamoxifen is used to treat some types of breast cancer in men and women. Tamoxifen is also used to lower a woman's chance of developing breast cancer if she has a tall risk (such as a family history of breast cancer).

• Tamoxifen may also be used for purposes not listed in this medicine guide.

What must I discuss with my healthcare provider till taking tamoxifen?

• You must not use tamoxifen if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

· a history of blood clots in your veins or your lungs; or

· if you are also taking a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin).

• To create certain you can safely take tamoxifen, speak your doctor if you have any of these another conditions:

· liver disease;

· tall cholesterol or triglycerides (a type of thick in the blood);

· a history of stroke or blood clot;

· a history of cataract; or

· if you are receiving chemotherapy or radiation.

• FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use tamoxifen if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn child. Use a barrier form of birth control (such as a condom or diaphragm with spermicide) while you are using this medicine and for at least 2 months after your treatment ends.

• Hormonal contraception (such as birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings) may not be effective satis to prevent pregnancy during your treatment.

• It is not known whether tamoxifen passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing child. However, this medicine may slow breast milk manufacture. You must not breast-feed while taking tamoxifen.

How must I take tamoxifen?

• Take exactly as predesigned by your doctor. Do not take in larger or less amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

• Take this medicine with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

• Tamoxifen can be taken with or without food.

• Use tamoxifen regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled till you run out of medication completely. You may need to hold using this medicine for up to 5 years.

• Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, or cool. Do not freeze.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed doze as soon as you remember. Skip the missed doze if it is nearly time for your following scheduled doze. Do not take extra medication to create up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

• Search abnormal medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What must I avoid while taking tamoxifen?

• Avoid eating soy or soy commodity without first asking your doctor.

• This medication can pass into body fluids (including urine, feces, vomit, semen, vaginal fluid). For at least 48 hours after you receive a doze, avoid allowing your body fluids to come into contact with your hands or another surfaces. Patients and caregivers must wear rubber gloves while cleaning up body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands till and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens apart from another laundry.

• Body fluids must not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant. Use condoms during sexual activity to avoid exposure to body fluids.

What are the possible side effects of tamoxifen?

• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Stop using tamoxifen and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

· sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;

· sudden severe headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

· chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, quick heart rate;

· pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs;

· nausea, loss of appetite, heighten thirst, muscle weakness, confusion, and feeling weary or restless;

· unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge;

· irregular menstrual periods;

· pain or pressure in your pelvic area;

· blurred vision, eye pain, or seeing halos near lights;

· light bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;

· fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

· new breast lump; or

· upper stomach pain, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

• Smaller serious side effects may include:

· hot flashes;

· bone pain, joint pain, or tumor pain;

· swelling in your hands or feet;

· vaginal itching or dryness;

· decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm;

· headache, dizziness, depression; or

· thinning hair.

• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What another drugs will affect tamoxifen?

• Much drugs can interact with tamoxifen. Adown is just partial list. Speak your doctor if you are using any of these medications:

· bromocriptine;

· cimetidine;

· clozapine;

· cyclophosphamide;

· isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);

· letrozole;

· methimazole;

· nicardipine;

· pioglitazone;

· rifampin;

· ropinirole;

· ticlopidine;

· tranylcypromine;

· anti-malaria medicine such as chloroquine or pyrimethamine, or quinine;

· an antibiotic such as terbinafine;

· an antidepressant such as bupropion, clomipramine, desipramine, duloxetine, fluoxetine, imipramine, paroxetine, sertraline, or tranylcypromine;

· a heart rhythm medicine such as amiodarone or quinidine;

· HIV or AIDS medication such as delavirdine or ritonavir; or

· medication to treat psychiatric disorders, such as aripiprazole, chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, haloperidol, perphenazine, or thioridazine.

• This list is not complete and another drugs may interact with tamoxifen. Speak your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal commodity. Do not start a new medicine without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about tamoxifen.

Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.

Disclaim: Each effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses external of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way must be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safety, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the help of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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