Question 1

how much tamoxifen is recommended?

Accepted Answer

Once per day: Tamoxifen is most commonly used to treat breast cancer.  The dose is (usually) 20mg per day and taken for 5 years.  This medication is also used for people considered "high risk" for breast cancer to help decrease their risk of developing it in the future.
I recommend you speak with your oncologist about specific recommendations for your case.

Question 2

what are the common benefits of tamoxifen?

Accepted Answer

Kill cancer cells: Tamoxifen is a very effective chemotherapeutic agent to treat breast cancers that have the estrogen receptor.  Tamoxifen may also be prescribed to prevent breast cancer in high-risk women:  a 5-yr regimen may reduce the lifetime risk of breast cancer by 50%.

Question 3

please describe the medication: tamoxifen?

Accepted Answer

Tamoxifen: Treats advanced breast cancer in men and women, and early breast cancer in women. Also may prevent breast cancer in women who are at a high risk because of age, family history, or other factors.

Question 4

what are the common risk factors for taking tamoxifen?

Accepted Answer

Side effects?: The most experienced side effects of all hormonal therapy are menopausal symptoms (ie.Hot flashes, etc).  There is a small increased risk of blood clots similar to hormone replacement therapy,  in women with an intact uterus, there can be irreg bleeding and thickening of the uterine wall.  If ignored this can rarely progress to uterine cancer that can be cured with a hysterectomy.

Question 5

side effects of tamoxifen?

Accepted Answer

Several possible: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/therapy/tamoxifen 
the known, serious side effects of tamoxifen are blood clots, strokes, uterine cancer, and cataracts. Other side effects include menopause-like symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, joint pain, and leg cramps.  But, the benefits of tamoxifen as a treatment for breast cancer are firmly established and far outweigh the risks.

Question 6

what exactly is tamoxifen therapy?

Accepted Answer

Chemotherapy: Tamoxifen is an "anti-estrogen" pill used to treat certain breast cancers.  It is typically prescribed for 5 years.  While it does not cause typical side-effects seen with traditional chemotherapy (hair loss, nausea), it is a very effective chemotherapeutic drug for estrogen-positive breast cancers.  Like all medications, side effects are common, and the medication is not suitable for all patients.

Question 7

can you get tamoxifen without a prescription?

Accepted Answer

Not is the U.S.: Tamoxifen can have some serious side effects and therefore is only legally available as a prescription medication in the U.S.

Question 8

could tamoxifen and cipralex be taken together?

Accepted Answer

Risk: This could increase your risk of an abnormal heart rhythm.  Please see:  
http://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=2145-0,1013-565

Question 9

are tamoxifen and cipralex ever taken together?

Accepted Answer

Consult oncologist: You should see your oncologist who prescribed the tamoxifen.  I would assume that he/she and your pharmacist have checked the cross reactions.  It is always a good idea to double check.

Question 10

is nolvadex (tamoxifen) a controlled substance?

Accepted Answer

No: Its generic name is tamoxifen.  It acts as a selective agonist/antagonist to estrogen receptors.  You need a prescription to get it but it is not a controlled substance.

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Doctor answers about:

Tamoxifen and pregnancy

A member asked:

How much tamoxifen is recommended?

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What are the common benefits of tamoxifen?

A member asked:

Please describe the medication: tamoxifen?

A member asked:

What are the common risk factors for taking tamoxifen?

A member asked:

Side effects of tamoxifen?

A member asked:

What exactly is tamoxifen therapy?

A member asked:

Can you get tamoxifen without a prescription?

A member asked:

Could tamoxifen and cipralex be taken together?

A member asked:

Are tamoxifen and cipralex ever taken together?

A member asked:

Is nolvadex (tamoxifen) a controlled substance?

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