Drug Detail:Tamoxifen (Tamoxifen [ ta-mox-i-fen ])
Drug Class: Hormones / antineoplastics Selective estrogen receptor modulators
Usual Adult Dose for Breast Cancer
Metastatic breast cancer in women and men:
20 to 40 mg orally daily for 5 years; doses greater than 20 mg should be given in divided doses (morning and evening)
DCIS following breast surgery and radiation:
20 mg orally daily for 5 years
To reduce the incidence of breast cancer in women at high risk for breast cancer:
20 mg orally daily for 5 years
Comments:
- There are no data to support the use of this drug other than for 5 years.
Uses:
- Metastatic For metastatic breast cancer in women and men. In premenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer, this drug is an alternative to oophorectomy or ovarian irradiation. Patients whose tumors are estrogen receptor positive are more likely to benefit.
- Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS): In women with DCIS, following breast surgery and radiation, to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer.
- Reduction in Breast Cancer Incidence in High Risk Women: To reduce the incidence of breast cancer in women at high risk. "High risk" is defined as women at least 35 years of age with a 5-year predicted risk of breast cancer greater than or equal to 1.67%, as calculated by the Gail Model.
Usual Adult Dose for Breast Cancer - Adjuvant
20 mg orally once daily or 10 mg orally 2 times daily
Duration of therapy: Up to 5 years
Comments:
- There are no data to support the use of this drug other than for 5 years.
Use: For the treatment of node-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women following total mastectomy or segmental mastectomy, axillary dissection, and breast irradiation
Usual Pediatric Dose for McCune-Albright Syndrome
Girls 2 to 10 years with McCune-Albright Syndrome and precocious puberty:
20 mg orally once daily
Duration of therapy: Up to 12 months
Use: McCune-Albright Syndrome; precocious puberty
Usual Pediatric Dose for Precocious Puberty
Girls 2 to 10 years with McCune-Albright Syndrome and precocious puberty:
20 mg orally once daily
Duration of therapy: Up to 12 months
Use: McCune-Albright Syndrome; precocious puberty
Renal Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Liver Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Precautions
US BOXED WARNINGS:
Women with Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) and Women at High Risk for Breast Cancer:
- Serious and life-threatening events associated with this drug in the risk reduction setting (women at high risk for cancer and women with DCIS) include uterine malignancies, stroke, and pulmonary embolism. Uterine malignancies consist of both endometrial adenocarcinoma and uterine sarcoma.
- Some of the strokes, pulmonary emboli, and uterine malignancies were fatal.
- Health care providers should discuss the potential benefits versus risks of these events with women at high risk of breast cancer and women with DCIS considering this drug to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.
- The benefits of this drug outweigh its risks in women already diagnosed with breast cancer.
- Hypersensitivity to the active component or any of the ingredients
- In women who require concomitant coumarin-type anticoagulant therapy or in women with a history of deep-vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolus
Safety and efficacy have not been established in male patients younger than 18 years.
Safety and efficacy have not been established in female patients younger than 2 years for McCune-Albright Syndrome and precocious puberty, or female patients 10 years to 18 years for McCune-Albright Syndrome and precocious puberty.
Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.
Dialysis
Data not available
Other Comments
Patient advice:
- Swallow the tablet whole, with water or another non-alcoholic liquid.
- This drug can be taken with or without food.
- If a dose is forgotten, take it when you remember, then take the next dose as usual. If it is almost time for your next dose or you remember at your next dose, do not take extra tablets to make up the missed dose.
- Take this drug for 5 years, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Frequently asked questions
- How do you relieve joint pain associated with tamoxifen or Aromasin?
- Is it common to lose hair AFTER stopping tamoxifen?