side effects from tamoxifen??

[sbeast007]

wot are the common side effects of tamoxifen i cant seem to find the answers??

[perfectbeast2001]

Possible side effects

Each person's reaction to any medication is different. As people react to drugs in different ways, it is impossible to predict who is going to have side effects. Many women who take tamoxifen have no side effects, while others will experience them.
Very rarely, if the side effects are severe, you may have to stop taking tamoxifen and a different drug may be prescribed.
Side effects are more common in pre-menopausal women, who may develop menopausal side effects as a result of a lowered level of oestrogen. The most common side effects, apart from nausea, are hot flushes and sweats, particularly at night.
Flushes and sweats Sometimes the flushes will gradually lessen over the first few months but some women continue to have them for as long as they take tamoxifen. There are a number of ways to help to reduce or control hot flushes and sweats. Some women find it helpful to avoid or cut down on tea, coffee, nicotine and alcohol.
Some women find that complementary therapies can help, and your GP can give you details about obtaining these on the NHS. If you find your own complementary therapist, make sure that they are properly qualified and registered.
Sometimes other drugs can be prescribed to reduce hot flushes and sweats. Recent research suggests that progestogen or some types of antidepressant drugs may be helpful in controlling this unpleasant side effect. Your nurse or doctor can discuss this with you.
If you are having troublesome hot flushes you can discuss possible treatments with your doctor. Your doctor may be able to prescribe a different hormonal therapy instead. Sometimes the hot flushes continue for a long time after you have stopped taking tamoxifen.
Nausea and indigestion Feeling sick (nausea) and indigestion are fairly common but can often be relieved by taking your tablets with food or milk or at night. Although nausea is quite common initially, it usually wears off after a few weeks.
Weight gain Some women notice that they put on weight while taking tamoxifen. This may be due to water retention.
Change in periods Women who have not yet reached the menopause may notice that their monthly periods change – they may become irregular, lighter or sometimes stop altogether. Some women also notice an increase in vaginal discharge and itching of the vulva (the area around the vagina).



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Less common side effects

Depression, tiredness and dizziness Some women feel depressed while taking tamoxifen, but this may be due to other causes.
Headaches Some people affected by migraine notice a change in the pattern of their headaches.
Thrombosis (blood clots) In post‑menopausal women, tamoxifen can slightly increase the risk of blood clots and strokes. Pain, warmth, swelling or tenderness in an arm or leg, or any chest pain, must be reported to your doctor immediately.
Visual problems Blurred or reduced vision is very rare, but any visual changes should be reported to your doctor.
Voice changes This has been reported by some women. Professional singers may want to seek help and advice from their doctor.
Tumour flare Rarely, women who are prescribed tamoxifen for advanced cancer, where it has spread to the bones, may have tumour flare when they start taking tamoxifen. Tumour flare can cause a raised level of calcium in the blood (hypercalcaemia), with symptoms of nausea, vomiting and thirst. Very occasionally, a short stay in hospital is necessary until the calcium levels have been reduced.
Rare side effects of tamoxifen are: mild allergic reactions which may include skin rashes; and temporary thinning of the hair.



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Is tamoxifen safe for everyone?

Like most drugs, tamoxifen should not be taken during pregnancy. Even though it can affect a woman's periods, tamoxifen is not a contraceptive, so reliable contraception must be used.
Tamoxifen can increase the effect of the drug warfarin, which is used to thin the blood in people prone to blood clots. If you are taking warfarin let your doctor know straight away.
If you have a history of blood clots or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) let your doctor know, as tamoxifen may not be suitable for you.



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Long-term side effects

Studies have shown that post-menopausal women who take tamoxifen over a long period of time may have a very slightly increased risk of developing cancer of the lining of the womb (endometrial cancer).
However, this risk has to be weighed against the benefits of tamoxifen in treating the breast cancer, which generally far outweigh this small risk.
If detected early, treatment for endometrial cancer is usually very successful. Early warning signs are abnormal vaginal bleeding, although this is often caused by non-cancerous conditions such as polyps. If you have any abnormal vaginal bleeding you should let your doctor know.
In some cancer hospitals women are given regular gynaecological check-ups to detect early signs of endometrial cancer. An ultrasound scan, using sound waves, may be done to check for signs of change in the womb lining. A small probe is inserted into the vagina and the doctor can look at the scan on a screen. Any changes can be seen straight away. The scan is safe and only takes a few minutes.
For most women the beneficial effects of tamoxifen far outweigh the risks.

copied and pasted from a breast cancer site. obviously ignore the women only sides!

[hugovsilva]

In men I've never heard of any sides with tamoxifen.

[*Narkissos*]

In men I've never heard of any sides with tamoxifen.

Because they're rare.. especially in males.

[SVTMuscle*]

Those sounded like the sides from Clomid at first, but I've never heard of anything too bad coming from Nolva

[Carlos_E]

In men I've never heard of any sides with tamoxifen.

I can see your pubes.

[stupidhippo]

dont some ppl report slight mood alteration and the blurrineees of vision is a possibility (rare but still).

[stupidhippo]

Those sounded like the sides from Clomid at first, but I've never heard of anything too bad coming from Nolva

clomid and nolva are really close to each other and I wouldnt be surprised that their possible sides are almost identical..

[SS1476]

I can see your pubes.

[Jay-Ace]

I can see your pubes.

You're a bad boy for looking!!

[lifterjaydawg]

dont some ppl report slight mood alteration and the blurrineees of vision is a possibility (rare but still).

I have heard of vision problems but never me anyone who actually had it.

[Cornholio]

Tamox does not bother me at all. Clomid makes me see weird black shadows that are not really there.

[Carlos_E]

You're a bad boy for looking!!

Well hell they're right in front of me.

[stick boy]

'lil hijack - Nark, I didn't know you were that thick. Your other avatar didn't show as much. Awesome.

Carlos - incredible, too. Hope to look half as good someday.

[*Narkissos*]

^^