Another Question About Tamoxifen

Kat11
Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I also have never used this drug before having been diagnosis on April 15th. I am having surgery on June 3rd,but I am doing a clinical trail starting Sunday which starts me on Tamoxifen. My question is Do I take it in the morning or before bed. Does it matter when. Also do I need to worry about over the counter meds with this.

Comments

  • djteach
    djteach Member Posts: 273
    #2
    tamoxifen
    I have been on Tamox. since Jan. of this year. I take mine at night because of the hot flashes that it gave me. I would definitely check with your onc. or pharmacist to see if there are any reactions. Good luck with your clinical trial. If you have already been through menopause, then you already know about the hot flashes. I don't have the night sweats-thank God. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

    Love and Gentle Hugs,
    Donna
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #3
    Tamoxifen...
    Hi, Kat11. I took Tamoxifen for 2 years, with no side effects whatsoever. I hope this will be so for you, too. More importantly, I hope it will do what it's meant to - and that is to reduce your risk of breast cancer recurrence.

    It doesn't matter WHEN you take it - a.m. or p.m., whatever works for you. However, what IS important (very important) is to take it at the same time each day. Reason: each pill is a 24 hour dose, and it needs to be in your bloodstream consistently to maximize effectiveness. So, just pick a time that's easy for you to remember.

    My oncologist doesn't limit OTCs for me. But, always reminds me to inform him of ANY other prescription medicines.

    If you were not provided with information regarding specific instructions, I suggest you contact your local pharmacy.

    Best wishes to you.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #4
    Night, right before bed....
    I also take my multi-vitamin then, so that if I burp vitamin breath, no one will know...ROFL!!!

    I take once-a-month Actonel...sigh...have to take it in the morning, on an empty stomach, with LOTS of water, and then nothing for 30 minutes...sounds easy? You DO NOT want to see me in the morning without my COFFEE!!!

    As far as the OTC stuff, ask your trial proctors...it may be different, since they are watching you...

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #5
    Thank you. I trust my
    Thank you. I trust my doctors, but I am so gratefull for this site. I have learned so much from all of you over the last 2 weeks. You help me with fear and confusion that I feel most of the time. I feel like I am on the 12 step program. The 1st step just saying the words " I Have Cancer ".
  • Ltalcott
    Ltalcott Member Posts: 119
    #6
    morning and night
    My tamoxifen is taken both morning and night. It's prescribed that way and lessens side effects.

    I had read about people splitting their dose to do it am/pm. Then when my was prescribed that way, I didn't have to worry about it.

    I have never taken medicine on a routine basis--I'm still trying to work a routine that will prevent me from forgetting. (missed on pm dose last weekend--woke up at 3 am and remembered!)

    Lisa
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #7
    Ltalcott said:

    morning and night
    My tamoxifen is taken both morning and night. It's prescribed that way and lessens side effects.

    I had read about people splitting their dose to do it am/pm. Then when my was prescribed that way, I didn't have to worry about it.

    I have never taken medicine on a routine basis--I'm still trying to work a routine that will prevent me from forgetting. (missed on pm dose last weekend--woke up at 3 am and remembered!)

    Lisa

    Tamoxifen
    I take it when I remember to, if I remember. I have it sat on the kitchen cabinet to remind me. GL Jxxxxxx
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #8
    I haven't started Tamoxifen
    I haven't started Tamoxifen yet and I probably won't. I haven't quite finished my radiation treatments. But, I am leaning towards not taking it. There is so much negative feedback out there on it. I just read where 1 in 1000 women will get uterine cancer from it...I don't like those odds and who knows if those are even right. They say it can cause strokes, blood clots, cataracts..just too many scary things. But who knows..my oncologist may talk me into it, but, I doubt it. And, why just 5 years of taking it? Is it because it is so toxic after 5 years? Scaresssssssss me.......
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #9
    Kat depending on the dosage,
    Kat depending on the dosage, you may have to take it twice a day. My oncologist gave me 10mg 2x a day. So, I took one with breakfast and one with dinner. One of the side effects may be depression. So, if you are on 20mg once a day and you start feeling blue, please let your doctor know so they can adjust your dosage. Another side effect is muscle cramps and joint pain. If you start developing charlie horses that do not go away or the joints in your hands start to hurt or swell, let your doctor know also. You may experience weight gain, so be careful what you eat. Once, you gain the weight, it is extremely difficult to lose. Then you may have hot flashes and vaginal discharge. These are very common and though the hot flashes are uncomfortable, it is doable. Hugs, Lili
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #10
    Hi Kat, I was on it for
    Hi Kat, I was on it for awhile. If you think it is making you drowsy when you take it in the morning try taking it at night. I don't think it really matters. There was no instruction concerning that when I got it. Grapefruit is a no no with Tamoxifen as well as the AI's. I believe it is an inhibitor. Below is a list of drugs prescription and OTC that inhibit Tamoxifen to one degree or another. The top 4 are strong inhibitors. As you can see these are the generic names. Some are anti-depressants, allergy meds, tummy meds and herbal.

    link



    bupropion
    fluoxetine
    paroxetine
    quinidine1

    duloxetine
    terbinafine

    amiodarone
    cimetidine
    sertraline

    celecoxib
    chlorpheniramine
    chlorpromazine
    cinacalcet
    citalopram
    clemastine
    clomipramine
    cocaine
    diphenhydramine
    doxepin
    doxorubicin
    escitalopram
    goldenseal
    halofantrine
    histamine H1 receptor antagonists
    hydroxyzine
    levomepromazine
    methadone
    metoclopramide
    mibefradil
    midodrine
    moclobemide
    perphenazine
    ranitidine
    red-haloperidol
    ritonavir
    ticlopidine
    tripelennamine


    Good luck to you, I'm sure you'll be fine.
    jan
  • Jadie
    Jadie Member Posts: 723
    #11
    phoenixrising said:

    Hi Kat, I was on it for
    Hi Kat, I was on it for awhile. If you think it is making you drowsy when you take it in the morning try taking it at night. I don't think it really matters. There was no instruction concerning that when I got it. Grapefruit is a no no with Tamoxifen as well as the AI's. I believe it is an inhibitor. Below is a list of drugs prescription and OTC that inhibit Tamoxifen to one degree or another. The top 4 are strong inhibitors. As you can see these are the generic names. Some are anti-depressants, allergy meds, tummy meds and herbal.

    link



    bupropion
    fluoxetine
    paroxetine
    quinidine1

    duloxetine
    terbinafine

    amiodarone
    cimetidine
    sertraline

    celecoxib
    chlorpheniramine
    chlorpromazine
    cinacalcet
    citalopram
    clemastine
    clomipramine
    cocaine
    diphenhydramine
    doxepin
    doxorubicin
    escitalopram
    goldenseal
    halofantrine
    histamine H1 receptor antagonists
    hydroxyzine
    levomepromazine
    methadone
    metoclopramide
    mibefradil
    midodrine
    moclobemide
    perphenazine
    ranitidine
    red-haloperidol
    ritonavir
    ticlopidine
    tripelennamine


    Good luck to you, I'm sure you'll be fine.
    jan

    AI's
    Does this list include the AI's? If not where can we find a list?

    Thanks
    Jadie
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #12
    Jadie said:

    AI's
    Does this list include the AI's? If not where can we find a list?

    Thanks
    Jadie

    Tamoxifen's side effects do
    Tamoxifen's side effects do make you sit back and think about whether or not you want to risk them..doesn't it? Or, is it just me?
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #13
    Noel said:

    Tamoxifen's side effects do
    Tamoxifen's side effects do make you sit back and think about whether or not you want to risk them..doesn't it? Or, is it just me?

    Cancer's side effects are pretty narley, too...
    I choose my battles, and if the side effects become too much, then I ask questions.

    I am a living, breathing example that you CAN get cancer more than once...twice, so far, for me...I'm willing to battle as hard as I can NOT to have to battle the beast again!!!!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #14
    KathiM said:

    Cancer's side effects are pretty narley, too...
    I choose my battles, and if the side effects become too much, then I ask questions.

    I am a living, breathing example that you CAN get cancer more than once...twice, so far, for me...I'm willing to battle as hard as I can NOT to have to battle the beast again!!!!

    Hugs, Kathi

    Amen, Kathi!
    I'm right there with you, Kathi. Am of exact same frame of mind.

    You, RE and all the other members who've endured a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatments more than once are truly inspirational. You're not Warrior Princesses, like the rest of us once-ers... You are our Warrior QUEENS! So, thank you.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #15
    phoenixrising said:

    Hi Kat, I was on it for
    Hi Kat, I was on it for awhile. If you think it is making you drowsy when you take it in the morning try taking it at night. I don't think it really matters. There was no instruction concerning that when I got it. Grapefruit is a no no with Tamoxifen as well as the AI's. I believe it is an inhibitor. Below is a list of drugs prescription and OTC that inhibit Tamoxifen to one degree or another. The top 4 are strong inhibitors. As you can see these are the generic names. Some are anti-depressants, allergy meds, tummy meds and herbal.

    link



    bupropion
    fluoxetine
    paroxetine
    quinidine1

    duloxetine
    terbinafine

    amiodarone
    cimetidine
    sertraline

    celecoxib
    chlorpheniramine
    chlorpromazine
    cinacalcet
    citalopram
    clemastine
    clomipramine
    cocaine
    diphenhydramine
    doxepin
    doxorubicin
    escitalopram
    goldenseal
    halofantrine
    histamine H1 receptor antagonists
    hydroxyzine
    levomepromazine
    methadone
    metoclopramide
    mibefradil
    midodrine
    moclobemide
    perphenazine
    ranitidine
    red-haloperidol
    ritonavir
    ticlopidine
    tripelennamine


    Good luck to you, I'm sure you'll be fine.
    jan

    Thank you, phoenixrising!
    For this list of OTCs to be avoided by those of us taking BC-related meds. I've never been one to keep a whole lot of OTC stuff around. My medicine cabinet is pretty empty. However, I did pull out EVERYTHING I've got in order to compare. Am relieved that none of it appears on your list. So, thanks, again.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #16
    Jadie said:

    AI's
    Does this list include the AI's? If not where can we find a list?

    Thanks
    Jadie

    Sorry Jadie, the list is for
    Sorry Jadie, the list is for Tamoxifen only since it needs the cyp2D6 to metabolize Tamoxifen into Endoxifen. The only interaction I know with the AI's is grapefruit.
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #17
    Christmas Girl said:

    Thank you, phoenixrising!
    For this list of OTCs to be avoided by those of us taking BC-related meds. I've never been one to keep a whole lot of OTC stuff around. My medicine cabinet is pretty empty. However, I did pull out EVERYTHING I've got in order to compare. Am relieved that none of it appears on your list. So, thanks, again.

    Kind regards, Susan

    Hi Susan, there are quite a
    Hi Susan, there are quite a few prescription drugs on that list as well as a few OTC's. Only those drugs used on a regular basis such as the anti-depressants would have a significant effect.
    jan
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #18
    I have never used tamoxifen
    I have never used tamoxifen either, but, I am suppose to start if after I finish the radiation treatments. I am reading the posts about it here and also looking on the internet. I want to be educated about it too. Good luck to you Kat!
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #19
    phoenixrising said:

    Hi Susan, there are quite a
    Hi Susan, there are quite a few prescription drugs on that list as well as a few OTC's. Only those drugs used on a regular basis such as the anti-depressants would have a significant effect.
    jan

    Thanks, jan...
    For the additional clarification. That list mostly looks like mumbo jumbo to me! I think I recognize "goldenseal" - an herb, or some kinda supplement? No additional prescription meds for me, besides the BC stuff. So, I'm still OK...

    Thanks, again!

    Kind regards, Susan

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