Dangerous Drug: Tamoxifen Citrate(ta mox’ i fen)
Apo-Tamox (CAN), Gen-Tamoxifen (CAN), Soltamox, Tamofen (CAN)
PREGNANCY CATEGORY D
Drug Classes
Antiestrogen
Antineoplastic
Therapeutic Actions
Potent antiestrogenic effects: Competes with estrogen for binding sites in target tissues, such as the breast.
Indications
Treatment of metastatic breast cancer in women and men; in premenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer, tamoxifen is an alternative to oophorectomy or ovarian irradiation
Treatment of node-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women following total mastectomy or segmental mastectomy, axillary dissection, and breast irradiation
Treatment of axillary node-negative breast cancer in women following total mastectomy or segmental mastectomy, axillary dissection, and breast irradiation
Reduction in risk of invasive breast cancer in women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) following breast surgery and radiation
Reduction in occurrence of contralateral breast cancer in patients receiving adjuvant tamoxifen therapy for breast cancer
Reduction in incidence of breast cancer in women at high risk for breast cancer
Unlabeled uses: Treatment of mastalgia; useful for decreasing size and pain of gynecomastia; treatment of McCune-Albright syndrome and precocious puberty in girls 2–10 yr; malignant carcinoid tumor, carcinoid syndrome; menstrual migraine; oligospermia; metastatic melanoma desmoid tumors
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with allergy to tamoxifen, pregnancy, lactation, women who require concomitant coumarin-type anticoagulation therapy, or in women with a history of DVT or PE.
Use cautiously in women with a history of thromboembolic events.
Available Forms
Tablets—10, 20 mg; oral solution—10 mg/5 mL
Dosages
Adults
Breast cancer: 20–40 mg/day PO for 5 yr. Dosages of more than 20 mg/day should be given in divided doses, morning and evening.
Reduction in breast cancer incidence: 20 mg/day PO for 5 yr.
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