The preparation description is not intended for medication without participation of the doctor.
Other names used:
Apo-Tamox, Bilem, Cemide, Vero-Tamoxifen, Gen-Tamoxifen, Zitazonium, Intam-10, Jenoxifen 10, Jenoxifen 20, Jenoxifen 30, Novofen, Novo-Tamoxifen, Nolvadex-D, Nolvadex Forte, PMS-Tamoxifen, Tamifen, Tamoxen, Tamoxifen, Tamoxifen (Tamoplex), Tamoxifen citrate, Tamoxifen-Lachema, Tamoxifen-LANS, Tamoxifen-ratiopharm, Tamoxen-Ferein, Tamoxifen-Ebewe, Tamoxifenbene, Tamofen, Tamone.
What is it used for?
Nolvadex is used for treatment of:
- breast cancer (especially after menopause);
- cancer of mammary gland (in men after castration);
- kidney-cancer;
- melanoma and soft tissue sarcoma, that contain estrogen receptors;
- ovarian cancer;
- endometrial cancer;
- prostate cancer (in case of resistance to other medical drugs).
Contraindications and cautions:
- hypersensitivity to main ingredient of Nolvadex;
- pregnancy and breast-feeding;
Patients with the following health problems must be under close supervision, when using Nolvadex:
- eye illnesses (especially cataract);
- hyperlipidemia (excessive amounts of fat and fatty substances in the blood);
- leucopenia;
- thrombocytopenia;
- hypercalcemia;
- marked thrombophlebitis;
- present or past thromboembolic disease;
Side effects:
Side effects of Nolvadex are very rare and usually mild. These are:
- ossalgia (bone pain), temperature rise;
- appetite decrease, nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea;
- dermahemia;
- leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombosis, thrombembolia, thrombophlebitis;
- skin rash, dry skin, size increase of soft tissue formations;
- hypercalcemia, peripheral edema (connected with fluid retention), hair loss, weight increase;
- depression, head ache, dizziness, muscle weakness, increased fatigability, drowsiness, confused consciousness;
- loss of visual acuity, corneal opacity, cataract, retinopathy, optic neuritis;
In women:
- endometrial hyperplasia;
- reversible development of cystic tumors;
- vaginal discharge;
- metrorrhagia;
- dysmenorrhea;
- genital itch;
- amenorrhea;
In men:
- decrease of sexual potency and/or libido.
Interactions:
Certain medicines when taken together with Nolvadex may interact with it, and the effect of those drugs or Nolvadex may be increased, decreased or altered in some other way, that is why it is very important to inform your doctor about all other prescribed and over the counter medicines that you use, including vitamins and herbal products. Some of the drugs that are known to interact with Nolvadex are:
- blood-thinners (such as warfarin), the risk of bleeding may be increased;
- cytostatic medicines, the risk of developing of blood clots may be increased;
- Allopuriniol facilitates the development of hepatotoxic effects;
- Tegafur taken together with Nolvadex may cause active chronic hepatitis and hepatic cirrhosis;
- other hormonal drugs (especially estrogen-containing contraceptives) taken together with Nolvadex lead to weakening of the specific action of both medicines;
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that interact with Nolvadex.
Special instructions:
- Nolvadex causes ovulation, that increases the risk of becoming pregnant. That is why women in reproductive age must use safe contraception methods (non-hormonal) when being treated with Nolvadex and during 3 months after cancellation of using Nolvadex.
- In the period of treatment it is recommended to be very careful when driving a car or performing any other potentially dangerous activities, that demand from you to stay alert. |
