ONCOLOGIC
PROTOCOL
NOVALDEX
(TAMOXIFEN)
|
| MAJOR INDICATIONS:
HORMONAL TREATMENTS FOR BREAST CANCER (ALL
STAGES) |
| IDENTIFICATION:
Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) |
| This
drug has been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug
Administration) for the treatment of breast
cancer. |
| Dose: 10
mg (1 tablet) twice per day. |
| Route:
Given orally |
| Duration and timing:
Treatment for adjuvant therapy is continued to a
maximum of 5 years. In the treatment of stage IV
disease treatment is continued until disease
progression. |
Possible Side
effects:
- Hematopoetic:
decrease in blood cells, especially white
cells (neutropenia) but also red cells
(anemia) and or platelets
(thrombocytopenia)
- Gastrointestinal:
possible nausea and vomiting (which may
be decreased or prevented with
medications).
- Systemic:
menopausal symptoms (hot
flashes, night sweats, menstrual
irregularity), bone or tumor pain,
hypercalcemia (high calcium levels),
hyperlipidemia (high lipid levels).
- Gynecologic:
vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge, rare
instances of endometrial cancer
- Fertility:
adverse effect on fertility is known;
this drug should not be taken by women
who are pregnant or breast feeding.
- Respiratory:
instances of pulmonary embolism have
occurred (blood clot going to the lung).
- Ocular:
visual disturbances, cataracts, corneal
deposits, optic neuritis (swelling of the
optic nerve) and retinopathy
(disturbances in the function of the
retina).
- Hepatic:
elevated liver enzymes, hepatitis,
hepatic necrosis (liver death) and fatty
changes in the liver.
- Other:
increased risk of developing blood clots.
In males decreased libido (sex drive) and
impotence has been reported.
|
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