Brand Names

How to Use

Use this drug only as directed by your family doctor . Do not use more or less of it and do not use it more often than your family doctor ordered. The exact amount of drug you need has been carefully worked out. Taking too much may increase the risk of side effects, while taking too little may not improve your condition.

Tamoxifen sometimes causes mild nausea and vomiting. However, it may have to be taken for few weeks or months to be effective. Even if you begin to feel ill, do not stop using this drug without first checking with your family doctor . Ask your health care professional for ways to lessen these effects.

Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. You can take the tablets with or without food.

If you vomit shortly after taking a dose of tamoxifen, check with your family doctor. You will be told whether to take the dose again or to wait until the next scheduled dose.

Dosage

• For oral dosage form - tablets
  • For breast cancer in women or men:
    • Adults 20 to 40 milligrams - mg daily.
  • For reducing the risk of developing breast cancer in high-risk women:
    • Adults 20 milligrams - mg a day, for five years
  • For reducing the risk of developing invasive breast cancer in women with ductal carcinoma in situ:
    • Adults 20 milligrams - mg a day, for five years

Missed dose If you miss a dose of this drug, do not take the missed dose at all and do not double the next one. Instead, go back to your regular dosing schedule and check with your family doctor.

Storage To store this drug:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the drug to break down.
• Do not keep outdated drug or drug no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded drug is out of the reach of children.