Tamoxifen

Question 1

TAMOXIFEN:
What are indications?

Answer 1

pre- and perimenopausal women with oestrogen receptor positive cancer- 20mg

anovulatory infertility

breast cancer- chemoprevention; 20mg OD for years

Question 2

TAMOXIFEN:
How does it work?

Answer 2

An anti-oestrogenwhich induces gonadotrophin release by occupying oestrogen receptors in the hypothalamus

thereby interfering with feedback mechanisms.

chorionic gonadotrophin is sometimes used as an adjunct in the treatment of female infertility.

Question 3

TAMOXIFEN:
What are unlicensed use

Answer 3

prevention of gynaecomastia in men

Question 4

TAMOXIFEN:
What are important side effects?

Answer 4

leg cramps
hair thinning or hair loss.
feeling light headed.
eye problems, such as blurred vision, due to damage of the retina or cataracts.
an allergic reaction.
headaches.
diarrhoea.
itchiness on or around the vulval area – talk to your doctor as this could be an infection and might need treatment.

Question 5

TAMOXIFEN:
What is advise regarding contraception and conception?

Answer 5

Unless being used for treatment of infertility, effective contraception must be used during treatment and for 2 months after stopping

Patients being treated infertility warned risk of multiple pregnancy.

Question 6

TAMOXIFEN:
What risks are associated with tamoxifen?

Answer 6

Thromboembolism- particularly during and immediately after major surgery or periods of immobility
endometrial changes-
hyperplasia, polyps, cancer, and uterine sarcoma reported.