Medication for Women with Breast Cancer

Tamoxifen is a prescription medication used for women with breast cancer.  

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of this medicine in 1998. Tamoxifen has become one of the most widely used medication for breast cancer.  

What condition does Tamoxifen treat? 

Tamoxifen can help men and women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. This drug can lower the risk of breast cancer in: 

• Women at high risk of breast cancer because of a family history of a disease or mutated breast cancer genes. 
• Men and women who were happened to have breast cancer to prevent the return of cancer 
  

How does Tamoxifen work? 

Tamoxifen is a type of hormonal therapy known as a selective estrogen receptor modulator. The medicine ascribes to hormone receptors in breast cancer cells. As soon as the medication is inside the cells, it stops cancer from retrieving the hormones they want to grow. 

There are a lot of people who used Tamoxifen to prevent or treat breast cancer. Tamoxifen may lower the risk of:  

• Initial breast cancer diagnosis by up to 40% 
• Breast cancer recurrence in postmenopausal women by 40% to 50% 
• Breast cancer reappearance in premenopausal women by 30% to 50% 

• Breast cancer in the opposite breast by 50 
• Aggressive breast cancer after the diagnosis of early-stage, non-invasive breast cancer by up to 50% 

Tamoxifen gives other health benefits that are not related to the treatment of cancer. Tamoxifen is a SERM that selectively either activates or blocks estrogen’s action on exact cells. While Tamoxifen blocks estrogen’s action on breast cells, it starts estrogen’s bone and liver cells’ movement. So Tamoxifen can help stop bone loss after menopause and lower cholesterol levels. With its benefits, it is very worth it for the price of Tamoxifen.  

What is the dosage of Tamoxifen? 

• Tamoxifen is to be taken by mouth, usually once or twice a day. 

• Each dose of Tamoxifen is either taken with or without food.  
• For best result, take Tamoxifen at around the same time each day.  
• If you are having this as your treatment to prevent breast cancer, you will probably take it for five years. 
• Your doctor will pick how long your treatment will last if you take Tamoxifen to treat breast cancer.  
• Do not stop taking this medication without talking to your doctor.  
  

What are the precautions using Tamoxifen? 

• Rarely, Tamoxifen might cause serious problems such as strokes or eye problems.  
• This medicine may also cause congenital disabilities. You must not take Tamoxifen if you are planning to become pregnant or if you are currently pregnant.  
• Call your doctor or healthcare provider right away if you experience fever, signs of a stroke, swelling, uncontrolled vomiting, and shortness of breath.  

• Before taking, Tamoxifen let your pharmacist know that you are allergic to the drug or any allergies.  
• This medication might increase the threat that you will progress to other cancers. Discuss with your doctor about this risk.  
• It is still needed to look for early signs of breast cancer since it is possible to develop breast cancer even during treatment.  
  

Cost of Generic Tamoxifen vs. Nolvadex  

The generic Tamoxifen only costs $30 per 90 tabs and $0.37 per pill. A first choice drug for premenopausal women and is still the right choice for postmenopausal women who can’t take an aromatase inhibitor. The generic Tamoxifen is immensely cheaper than Nolvadex. Nolvadex is the brand name and is an immensely more expensive one that costs $83.09 per 90 tabs and $0.92 per pill.