Brand Name

Nolvadex {AstraZeneca}

Generic Name

tamoxifen citrate, pronounced ta MOX i fen SI Trate

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Nolvadex?

Nolvadex is used to treat certain types of breast cancer in men and women. Nolvadex is also given to women to help prevent breast cancer when they may have a high risk for the disease, such as a family history. Nolvadex works by blocking the actions of estrogen, which is needed for some types of breast cancer to grow and spread.

Nolvadex may also be used for conditions that are not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Nolvadex

Nolvadex works by blocking the actions of estrogen. Certain types of breast tumors need estrogen to grow.

If you have been prescribed Nolvadex to reduce your risk of breast cancer, your first dose may need to be taken while you are having a menstrual period. Your doctor may also require you to take a pregnancy test before you start taking Nolvadex to be sure you are not pregnant.

Nolvadex is in FDA pregnancy Category D. Nolvadex is known to harm an unborn baby. You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you plan to become pregnant before you start to take Nolvadex. You should not use Nolvadex without telling your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby, as we do not know if this medication passes into breast milk.You will need to use a barrier form of birth control, like a condom or diaphragm while you are taking Nolvadex, and for 2 months after your treatment with this medication ends.

If you take Nolvadex your risk of uterine cancer, stroke, or a blood clot in the lung may be increased. Your doctor may have you do mammograms and breast self-exams on a regular basis while you are taking Nolvadex to be sure that this medication is not causing you any harm.

Before You Take Nolvadex

You should not use Nolvadex if you are allergic to tamoxifen citrate.

You should not take Nolvadex if you are breast-feeding a baby, or if you are pregnant,

Nolvadex should not be used by anyone who has a history of blood clots in their veins or lungs.

Do not take Nolvadex if you have liver disease, high cholesterol or high triglycerides without talking to your doctor first.

Tell your doctor before taking Nolvadex if you have are taking the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin), if you have a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder; circulation problems or a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clots.

Your doctor may require you to take a pregnancy test before beginning treatment with Nolvadex.

You should tell your doctor if you have a history of cataracts before taking Nolvadex.

If you are currently undergoing chemotherapy or radiation you should let your doctor know before starting treatment with Nolvadex.

Take care not to consume soy or soy products without talking to your doctor first while you are taking Nolvadex.

Nolvadex Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• antibiotics like terbinafine (Lamisil)
• antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), duloxetine (Cymbalta), fluoxetine (Prozac), imipramine (Tofranil), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft)and tranylcypromine (Parnate)
• anti-malaria medications like chloroquine (Arelan), pyrimethamine (Daraprim) and quinine (Qualaquin)
• bromocriptine (Parlodel)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• clozapine (Clozaril, FazaClo)
• cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar)
• heart rhythm medications like amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone) and quinidine (Quin-G)
• HIV or AIDS medications like delavirdine (Rescriptor) and ritonavir (Norvir)
• isoniazid (tuberculosis treatment)
• letrozole (Femara)
• methimazole (Tapazole)
• nicardipine (Cardene)
• pioglitazone (Actos)
• psychiatric medications like aripiprazole (Abilify), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin), haloperidol (Haldol), perphenazine (Trilafon) and thioridazine (Mellaril).
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane)
• ropinirole (Requip)
• ticlopidine (Ticlid)
• tranylcypromine (Parnate)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Nolvadex. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Nolvadex

You should take Nolvadex exactly as your doctor has prescribed you to. Do not use Nolvadex in larger or smaller amounts, or for shorter or longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label exactly.

Nolvadex should be taken with a full glass of water (8 ounces).

You can take Nolvadex with or without food.

If you have been prescribed Nolvadex to reduce your risk of breast cancer, your first dose may need to be taken while you are having a menstrual period.

Your doctor may also require you to take a pregnancy test before you start taking Nolvadex, to be sure you are not pregnant.

Take care not to consume soy or soy products without talking to your doctor first while you are taking Nolvadex.

You may need to continue taking Nolvadex for up to five years.

Nolvadex should be stored at room temperature, away from heat and light. Do not freeze this medication.

If you miss a dose of Nolvadex you can take the missed dose as soon as your remember, unless your next dose is almost near.

Nolvadex Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Nolvadex and seek medical help immediately:

• allergic reaction that includes breathing difficulties, hives and swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• balance, speech or vision problems
• bleeding or bruising easily, with purple or red pinpoint spots on your skin or bleeding from unusual areas such as your nose or rectum
• breast lump that is new
• chills, fever with body aches and flu symptoms
• eye pain or vision difficulties, like blurred vision or seeing halos around eyes
• headache or confusion
• irregular menstrual periods or unusual vaginal bleeding
• jaundice symptoms, like yellowed skin, itching, clay colored stools and dark urine
• loss of appetite alongside increased thirst, muscle weakness and nausea
• numbness or weakness that is sudden
• pelvic pain and pressure
• swelling with pain and redness in one or both legs

Less serious Nolvadex side effects may include:

• bone pain
• depression and mood changes
• dizziness
• headache
• hot flashes
• impotence or difficulty having an orgasm; impotence
• joint pain and stiffness
• swelling in feet and hands
• thinning hair
• tumor pain
• vaginal dryness and itching

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Nolvadex. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Nolvadex Description and Dosing

Nolvadex is available as tablets in 10 mg and 20 mg. The 10 mg tablets are round, biconvex, uncoated, white and identified with Nolvadex 600 debossed on one side and a cameo debossed on the other side. The 20 mg tablets are round, biconvex, uncoated, white and
identified with Nolvadex 604 debossed on one side and a cameo debossed on the other side.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with the Nolvadex you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Nolvadex

Nolvadex is comprised of the main ingredient tamoxifen citrate. Additional inactive ingredients include carboxymethylcellulose calcium, magnesium stearate, mannitol and starch.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.