Tamoxifen (Systemic)

Brand Names : Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Gen-Tamoxifen, Nolvadex-D, Novo-Tamoxifen, PMS-Tamoxifen, Tamofen, Tamone

Proper Use of This Medicine

Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor . Do not use more or less of it, and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. The exact amount of medicine you need has been carefully worked out. Taking too much may increase the chance of side effects, while taking too little may not improve your condition.

Tamoxifen sometimes causes mild nausea and vomiting. However, it may have to be taken for several weeks or months to be effective. Even if you begin to feel ill, do not stop using this medicine without first checking with your doctor . Ask your health care professional for ways to lessen these effects.

Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. You can take the tablets with or without food.

If you vomit shortly after taking a dose of tamoxifen, check with your doctor. You will be told whether to take the dose again or to wait until the next scheduled dose.

Dosing - The dose of tamoxifen will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of tamoxifen. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For oral dosage form (tablets)
  • For breast cancer in women or men:
    • Adults - 20 to 40 milligrams (mg) daily.
  • For reducing the risk of developing breast cancer in high-risk women:
    • Adults - 20 milligrams (mg) a day, for five years
  • For reducing the risk of developing invasive breast cancer in women with ductal carcinoma in situ:
    • Adults - 20 milligrams (mg) a day, for five years

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, do not take the missed dose at all and do not double the next one. Instead, go back to your regular dosing schedule and check with your doctor.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.