Tamoxifen Flashcards
Action
Hormone treatment
Some breast cancers need oestrogen to grow. They have receptors on their surface and oestrogen bids to the receptors to make the cancer grow. Tamoxifen blocks these receptors, stopping the cancer from growing.
Timeline
Once a day
How to take
Tablet (20mg) - any time of day but try to keep at same time
Length of tx
5 or 10 years
Effects - time before
-
Tests
Regular monitoring and check ups
May needs blood tests from time to time
Important side effects
Hot flushes Nausea and vomiting Headache Dizziness / lightneadedness Genital itching Menstrual changes
Complications & contraindications
Comlications - DVT, PE, allergic reaction, endometrial problems
Contraindications - DVT, irregular periods, pregnancy and breastfeeding, porphyria, HRT / OCP
Supplementary advice
Don’t get pregnant