Advice to patients
(42) Tamoxifen tablets
- 1. Tamoxifen is used in the treatment of infertility and breast cancer. It is one of a group of medicines called anti-oestrogens.
- 2. The tablets are taken once or twice each day with a glass of water.
- 3. Keep taking the tablets unless your doctor tells you to stop, otherwise your condition could get worse.
- 4. Tamoxifen can cause irregular vaginal bleeding. (For premenopausal women it may stop the monthly period.) If you have any unusual or irregular vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge or pelvic pain tell your doctor straight away, even if you have stopped taking tamoxifen.
- 5. Other side effects which can occur with tamoxifen include hot flushes, nausea, vision problems, genital itching and lightheadedness. Tell your doctor if any unwanted effects are persistent or troublesome.
This series of "advice tips" on commonly used drugs is written by pharmacists from the Sussex Pharmacy Academic Practice Unit. It is intended as a reminder of points to be made by pharmacists as they hand out dispensed medicines. The list is not intended to be comprehensive but to cover some important points. Cards for sale: Sets of the first 25 "tips" are now available for sale as 12 x 15cm cards, supplied with a ring binder, at a cost of £9.95. Orders should be sent to Pharmacy Practice Consultants, 12 Firle Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN15 0NZ, with cheques payable to Pharmacy Practice Consultants.
By Carina and Duncan Livingstone
Other items in the series