Tamoxifen

Tamoxifen is a medication that is primarily used in the treatment of breast cancer. In some cases, it is also used for infertility treatment in women with anovulatory disorders. A nonsteroidal antiestrogen produced by AstraZeneca, it is sold under the brand names Nolvadex, Valodex, and Genox.

Pronunciation

Tamoxifen is pronounced as ta-MOX-i-fen.

Etymology

The term "Tamoxifen" is derived from its chemical name: (Z)-2-[4-(1,2-diphenylbut-1-enyl)phenoxy]-N,N-dimethylethanamine.

Usage

Tamoxifen is used to treat both early and advanced estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer in pre- and post-menopausal women. Additionally, for infertile women with anovulatory disorders, tamoxifen is used to stimulate ovulation.

Mechanism of Action

Tamoxifen works by competitively binding to estrogen receptors on tumors and other tissue targets, producing a nuclear complex that decreases DNA synthesis and inhibits estrogen effects.

Related Terms

• Breast Cancer
• Estrogen
• Anovulatory Disorders
• Infertility
• AstraZeneca
• Nolvadex
• Valodex
• Genox

Side Effects

Common side effects of Tamoxifen include hot flashes, irregular menstrual periods, weight loss, and nausea. More serious side effects may include blood clots, strokes, uterine cancer, and cataracts.

See Also

• Selective estrogen receptor modulator
• Chemotherapy
• Hormone therapy

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Tamoxifen
• Wikipedia's article - Tamoxifen

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