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Treating Breast Cancer with Nolvadex

Being on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines, Nolvadex is a medicine aimed at treating breast cancer. Its active component is tamoxifen, which was discovered in 1967. This drug might be prescribed in several cases:

• To treat metastatic breast cancer;
• As a supplementary remedy for patients after surgery or radiation therapy;
• To prevent breast cancer in women and high-risk patients.

Apart from approved uses, Nolvadex is widely used in bodybuilding either for post-cycle therapy or for other related purposes because of its estrogen related side effect.

Mechanism of Action

Tamoxifen, the active agent of Nolvadex, belongs to selective estrogen receptor modulators. It binds to estrogen receptors having both anti- and pro-estrogen action depending on the tissue it is to act in. Thus, it results in the change of gens production in various tissues. In mammary epithelium, it works as a strong anti-estrogen agent, whereas its action is opposite in uterine epithelium.

Form

Nolvadex is available as 10 mg and 20 mg tablets of white color and round shape with Nolvadex 600 or 604 on one side and cameo on the other side. There are 60 tablets of 10 mg Nolvadex and 30 pills of 20 mg in one bottle. They are to be thoroughly stored away from light at the temperature 20-25 degrees C.

Contraindications

Nolvadex is an effective medicine to treat breast cancer, but not all the patients are allowed to take it. It’s strictlyprohibited in the following cases:

• Pregnancy (if you are planning pregnancy, it’s necessary to know that you must wait for 2 months until your body is cleared from Nolvadex);
• Breastfeeding;
• Allergy (it may be allergy to tamoxifen citrate or any inactive component of the medicine).

It’s not recommended for breast cancer prevention if:

• There exists a risk of blood clots or a patient has already experienced treating blood clots;
• Medicines that thin the blood, or anastrozole are taken.

Dosage

The dosage of Nolvadex is to be defined by the doctor and is individual in each case of the disease. It depends on patient’s condition, response to the therapy, tests and personal sensitivity. However, the common dosage is 20-40 mg a day within the term of 5 years. If your dosage is more than 20 mg, it must be divided and taken in smaller doses two times a day.

Nolvadex is to be taken orally: you can either swallow the whole tablet with some water or drink suspension. This medicine is to be taken on a regular basis, every day within the term recommended by your doctor. However, this medicine might also get into your body through skin or lungs, that’s why pregnant women are strictly prohibited to deal with it.

Side Effects

As well as all other SERMs, Nolvadex can cause a range of side effects, but you may never experience them. Anyway, it’s necessary to be aware that this drug may cause:

• Hot flashes;
• Nausea;
• Muscleaches;
• Headache;
• Vaginal bleeding (womb cancer sign);
• Change of periods frequency (womb cancer sign);
• Chest pain (blood clots sign);
• Visionproblems (cataracts);
• Liverproblems;
• Stroke.

You are to inform your doctor in case any side effect mentioned above or other unhealthy conditions bother you.