NOLVADEX (TAMOXIFEN)
Nolvadex Information
Nolvadex is a medicine that is also widely known under the name of Tamoxifen. This drug is known to block estrogen’s (a female sex hormone) actions. Some types of Breast Cancer occur with the growth of this hormone. Therefore, Nolvadex is commonly used in the prevention and in the treatment of some Breast Cancer types.
Nolvadex Indications
Because this medicine has proven itself to be highly effective in blocking estrogen’s actions, Nolvadex is commonly prescribed in the treatment (and sometimes in the prevention) of some types of Breast Cancer. However, this drug can also be used for other purposes, which have not been listed here.
Nolvadex Warnings
You should not start taking this drug if you are suffering from allergic reactions to Nolvadex, or to any of its ingredients. Before you start a treatment with this medicine, you should inform your personal physician if you have allergic reactions to other medicines or if you are suffering from:
- liver disorders;
- high levels of fatty acids (triglycerides) in your blood;
- a history of blood clot or stroke;
- a history of cataract;
- if you are currently receiving radiation treatment or chemotherapy.
If you are suffering from any of the conditions that have been listed here, you may not be allowed to start taking this medicine, or you may have to take in a lower dose of Nolvadex. Your personal physician should monitor your treatment with this medicine, to see how your body responds to the treatment.
Taking Nolvadex is known to increase the risk of developing of stroke, uterine cancer, or a blood clotting problems, disorders that can sometimes be lethal. Ask your personal physician for further information regarding these risks. This medicine is a category D FDA pregnancy drug. Therefore, a treatment with Nolvadex can have harmful effects on a growing fetus. If you are pregnant or if you plan to be so soon, you should ask for your personal doctor’s consent before you start taking this drug. It has not been clearly determined whether this medicine’s main ingredients can pass into breastmilk. However, you should ask your doctor if it is safe to start taking Tamoxifen if you are currently breastfeeding an infant. This drug is known to slow the organism’s milk production.
Nolvadex Intake Guidelines
Follow each and every one of the advices that your doctor has given you regarding your treatment with Nolvadex (do not disobey any of them). If you have any further questions you should ask a doctor, a pharmacist or a nurse. You should also carefully read the instructions from your drug’s label. This medicine should be taken in exactly as prescribed by your physician. Do not take more or less than what he has instructed. Accompany each dose of Nolvadex with a full glass of water. You may take this medicine either on a full or on an empty stomach, because it should not cause stomach upset.
Before you start taking this medicine, you should have a pregnancy test, to see if you are not pregnant. You should take Nolvadex on a regular basis, in order to get the proper results from your treatment. A treatment with this drug can last to up to 5 years. Do not stop your intake of Tamoxifen without your physician’s consent even if you start to feel better after a few days of treatment.
To make sure that this drug does not affect you in a harmful way, your personal physician should perform regular mammograms and test your liver functions. You should avoid missing any of your appointments with your personal physician. You should store this medicine in a cool and dry place, away from heat and moisture. Keep it away from the reach of pets and children, in order to avoid dangerous accidents.
Nolvadex Dosage
Ask your doctor to calculate the dose of Nolvadex that suits you best. You must not deviate from the dose that you have been prescribed in any way. The correct dosage varies from one patient to another, as it depends on a couple of factors (among them: body weight, the disorder’s severity, age, etc).
Nolvadex Overdose
Do not take double doses of this product, as it can result in several unwanted side effects. If you suspect that you are suffering from Nolvadex overdose, you should seek immediate medical care (contact your local poison control center, alert your personal physician). An overdose with this medicine should not trigger any life threatening side effects.
Nolvadex Missed Dose
Try not to miss any of your doses of Nolvadex. If you happen to miss one, take it as soon as you recall. If it is time for another scheduled dose, simply skip the one that you have missed and proceed with your regular dosing schedule. It is strictly forbidden that you take extra doses of Nolvadex without your physician’s approval.
Nolvadex Side Effects
Inform your physician immediately if you experience anything unusual while taking or shortly after your treatment with Nolvadex.
Nolvadex Drug Reactions
Before you start taking Nolvadex, you should alert your personal physician if you are taking any of the following:
- a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin);
- rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rifater, Rimactane);
- letrozole (Femara);
- bromocriptine (Parlodel);
- aminoglutethimide (Cytadren);
- anastrozole (Arimidex).
If you are taking any of these drugs, you may not be allowed to take Nolvadex. If you have to follow a treatment with another drug, please ask for your doctor’s consent before doing so.
