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Nolvadex (tamoxifen) warnings
Tamoxifen has rarely caused very serious (possibly fatal) strokes, blood clots in the lungs/legs, and cancer of the uterus. If you are taking tamoxifen to reduce the risk of breast cancer, or if your cancer is limited to the milk ducts (ductal carcinoma in situ-DCIS), then discuss the benefits and risks of taking this medication with your doctor. However, if you are taking tamoxifen to treat breast cancer, then the benefits of taking tamoxifen are greater than the risks of side effects.
Seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms of a stroke or blood clots in the lungs/legs, such as weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, sudden vision changes, confusion, shortness of breath, chest pain, or calf pain/swelling.
Tell your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms of cancer of the uterus, such as unusual changes in your monthly period (e.g., amount or timing of bleeding), unusual vaginal discharge, or pain/pressure below your "belly button" (navel).
Nolvadex (tamoxifen) precautions
Before taking tamoxifen, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
If you have cancer limited to the milk ducts, or if you are taking this medication to prevent breast cancer, then this medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: a history of blood clots (e.g., deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke), conditions that require treatment with a "blood thinner" (such as warfarin).
If you have breast cancer and a history of blood clots/stroke, you may or may not be able to take tamoxifen. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: high cholesterol/triglycerides, limited or no ability to walk (immobility), diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, cataracts, liver disease.
This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy because it may harm an unborn baby. Consult your doctor for more details. Women of childbearing age should start tamoxifen during their periods or get a negative pregnancy test before starting the medication.
It is recommended that men and women using this medication use two effective non-hormonal forms of birth control (e.g., condoms and diaphragms with spermicide) while taking this medication and for 2 months after stopping the medication. Consult your doctor.
It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Nolvadex (tamoxifen) drug interactions
Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.
This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: anastrozole, letrozole.
If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting tamoxifen.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription drugs you may use, especially of: "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), estrogens, hormonal forms of birth control (e.g., birth control pills, patches, implants), phenobarbital, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin), St John's wort.
Other medications can affect the removal of tamoxifen from your body, which may affect how tamoxifen works. Examples include cimetidine, SSRI antidepressants such as fluoxetine/paroxetine, among others.
This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including thyroid tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
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