Overview
Tamoxifen is a medicinal generic item that aids in certain cases of breast cancer. Being from the family of life-saving drugs, its use can help cure breast cancer tumors that need estrogen and progesterone hormones to grow and spread to the body.
In short, it is a form of SERM selective estrogen receptor modulator medicine, which regulates the estrogen levels and thus reduces life risks of cancer and its symptoms too.
It became a part of the FDA’s group of recommended medicines having got its clearance in 1998. Suppose you go to a doctor and are diagnosed with breast cancer, a doctor can tell you to use Tamoxifen within a suitable term, and dose.
For Whom Is It Best To Use Tamoxifen?
Now, to use any pill like Tamoxifen you need to know if you fit into the category of people to use this medicine. It is useful for patients-
- Suffering from breast cancer where the reason is an excess or abnormal presence of estrogen hormone.
- Those women who have mutated cancer genes present in their breasts.
- People who are suffering from cancer as a recurring event have suffered from the disease early on.
How Effective Is This Pill In Curing Breast Cancer?
Now let us play with some numbers to give you an idea of how this drug is effective in curing cases of breast cancer.
After numerous studies on people using the drug, it seems that the drug is close to 60% effective in curing issues of breast cancer entirely.
For people having recurrence issues of breast cancer the medicine has been effective during the pre-menopause patients by around 30 to 50%. Even in those women who are past the age of menopause, the drug seems to act well equally.
Suppose your breast cancer is detected early, the medicine is enough to cure breast cancer. However, the doctors are still not willing to put your life at risk and may.
Tell you to go through additional therapies like chemo or radiation.
Action Of Tamoxifen To Cure Breast Cancer
As we have told you above, it is a form of receptor pill that blocks and regulates abnormal estrogen secretion. Since the type of tumor, you have needed this hormone for its growth, a sudden lack will prevent it from growing and spreading anymore.
How To Take Tamoxifen?
When it comes to using a critical Tamoxifen it is a good idea to know about the details of using the medicine from the doctors only. A doctor will suitably tell you to use Tamoxifen for a certain time and as per a specific dose.
The doctor will map out and check progress using Tamoxifen through several lab tests along the way. Most of the time to cure the mild issues of breast cancer a patient may need to use the medicine for up to 2 years regularly.
If your cancer is more severe, then you may need to take the pills for close to 5 or 10 years of your life. During this time, the doctors can adjust the dose to make it suitable as per your age and health to reduce any chances of major side effect risk.
What Are The Other Benefits Of Using This Pill To Cure Breast Cancer?
So far you have only an idea that Tamoxifen is a medicine to cure breast cancer. However, recent studies show that women who take the pill for a long term may get more benefits as well.
For example, studies show that it can prevent damage to bones and may avoid your risk of arthritis disorder. It even lowers bad cholesterol levels in your body and averts the risk of a major cardiac issue.
How To Take Regular Pills?
Most of the time, a doctor will tell you to use the pill daily. For a minimum dose, a doctor will tell you to use at least one medicine each day of the course. They may even advise you to fix a certain time of the day to take your medicines. Doing so will help adjust the effects of the medicine on your body.
Do not even think of trying to use the medicine over what the doctors tell you, such as by trying to increase the strength of the pills. This puts you at major risk of the drug Tamoxifen.
Even, try not to forget to take your medicines as the best results take time, and missing doses on top of it can delay getting the ideal effects of the medicine.
Risks Of Side Effects
Side effects, some of them can occur mildly while others can continue getting more severe. Go to a doctor whenever you see any such issues. Here is a list that we have made for you after talking with several patients with breast cancer using the medicine-
- Hot flashes
- Sweating at night
- Dryness in the vagina
- Loss of weight
- Periods may get irregular.
- Swelling of the legs and the feet
- Rashes
- Problems in achieving orgasm through sex.
- Major fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Dryness in the mouth
- Headache
FAQs
1. Is There Any Major Health Risk Of Using The Medicine For The Long Term?
You need to be careful about the tenure of using the medicine as some bad effects may be possible. These include blood clots, cataracts, uterine cancer, and other risks. Stop using the medicine right away if these major health risks arise.
2. Can You Tell Me About Some Brand Names Of Tamoxifen?
Two of the very common brand names of the medicine are Nolvadex and Soltamox.
3. Is It Safe To Take This Medicine Being Pregnant?
Long use or a high dose of the drug has shown that females have given birth to babies with defects right from childbirth. It is a good idea to speak with the doctor to find out how your body may suit the action of the pill during pregnancy.
4. What Else Do I Need To Tell The Doctor?
Tell the doctor if you are using birth control medicines and oral contraceptives right now. Mention about other health issues like cardiac disorder and high BP.
