Tamoxifen: Uses, Side Effects and Common Brands
Tamoxifen is a pharmacological drug acting on estrogen receptors. In medicine, it is often used in the treatment of breast cancers, while in sports it is used to combat gynecomastia - diseases of the chest and mammary glands, as well as in PCT after taking steroids, in order to stimulate the production of body's own testosterone.
Problems arise mainly in athletes after increasing the dosage of testosterone, against the background of liver problems. There are more female hormones in the blood and as a result there is gynecomastia, which is removed with the help of Tamoxifen or surgery.
The antiestrogen Tamoxifen, aka Nolvadex, is often used during post-cycle therapy to increase endogenous testosterone. It actively acts on the whole body, blocking estrogen receptors in its cells. The great demand for it is due to the relatively cheap cost compared to peers, and the ability to use with many other drugs.
Manufacturer
Tamoxifen is produced by various companies in many countries of the world. The most common with us are preparations made by:
Main Ingredient: Tamoxifen Citrate
Concentration: 20 mg
Presentation: 30 Tablets
Form: Oral
Avg Dosage: 20-120 mg/day
Lab: Kalpa Pharmaceuticals
Common Name: Tamodex
Type: Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator
Main Ingredient: Tamoxifen Citrate
Concentration: 20 mg
Presentation: 50 Tablets
Form: Oral
Avg Dosage: 20-120 mg/day
Lab: 7Lab Pharm
Common Name: Tamoximed
Main Ingredient: Tamoxifen Citrate
Concentration: 10 mg
Presentation: 50 Tablets
Form: Oral
Avg Dosage: 20-120 mg/day
Lab: Beligas Pharmaceuticals
Common Name: Tamoximed
Shipping Method: Only Within The USA
Main Ingredient: Tamoxifen Citrate
Concentration: 20 mg
Presentation: 100 Tablets
Form: Oral
Avg Dosage: 20-120 mg/day
Lab: Dragon Pharma
Common Name: Tamoximed
Lab Tested: View Result
Type: Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator
Main Ingredient: Tamoxifen Citrate
Concentration: 20 mg
Presentation: 60 Tablets
Form: Oral
Avg Dosage: 20-120 mg/day
Lab: Balkan Pharmaceuticals
Common Name: Nolvadex
Main Ingredient: Tamoxifen Citrate
Concentration: 20 mg
Presentation: 100 Tablets
Form: Oral
Avg Dosage: 20-120 mg/day
Lab: Cipla
Common Name: Nolvadex
Main Ingredient: Tamoxifen Citrate
Concentration: 10 mg
Presentation: 30 Tablets
Form: Oral
Avg Dosage: 20-120 mg/day
Lab: AstraZeneca
Common Name: Tamoximed
Main Ingredient: Tamoxifen Citrate
Concentration: 20 mg
Presentation: 100 Tablets
Form: Oral
Avg Dosage: 20-120 mg/day
Lab: Generic
Common Name: Fareston
Type: Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator
Main Ingredient: Tamoxifen Citrate
Concentration: 20 mg
Presentation: 50 Tablets
Form: Oral
Avg Dosage: 20-120 mg/day
Lab: Sciroxx
Common Name: Acapodene
Main Ingredient: Tamoxifen Citrate
Concentration: 20 mg
Presentation: 100 Tablets
Form: Oral
Avg Dosage: 20-120 mg/day
Lab: Ice Pharmaceuticals
Common Name: Tamoximed
Main Ingredient: Tamoxifen Citrate
Concentration: 20 mg
Presentation: 50 Tablets
Form: Oral
Avg Dosage: 20-120 mg/day
Lab: Dabur Pharma
Common Name: Nolvadex
Tamoxifen was first released in 1962 by British scientists. It was intended for birth control, but was not effective in contraception. After many testing, a positive effect was found on the fight against estrogen-sensitive forms of breast cancer.
As of 2001, sales of Tamoxifen totaled over $ 1 billion. In 2004, this drug was the most in demand in the world for the treatment of breast cancer.
Product Group
Tamoxifen belongs to the antiestrogen group. It does not have gestagenic and androgenic activities, it reduces circulating estrogens, thereby increasing gonadotropin secretions.
Release Forms
Tamoxifen is available in:
tablets (10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg);
Tamoxifen is an antiestrogen (antimetabolite). It has close contact with estrogens in the cytoplasm of an estrogen-dependent tumor cell. Together with these substances, it penetrates directly into the nucleus, in which it performs the function of blocking the interactions of estrogens with their receptors.
Pharmacokinetics
After oral administration, Tamoxifen instantly disperses throughout the body. The most effective effect is achieved within 4-7 hours.
Tamoxifen interacts well with albumin (serum). During conjugation, demethylation and hydroxylation, many metabolites are formed that contribute to the achievement of therapeutic effects.
Composition
The composition includes tamoxifen citrate, magnesium stearate, lactose, crospovidone and povidone. In one tablet is 30.4 g. tamoxifen citrate.
Indications for use
Tamoxifen is used to treat:
- metastatic breast cancer;
- endometrial cancer;
- early stages of kidney cancer;
- soft tissue sarcomas;
- anovulatory infertility;
- postpartum agalactia;
- oligospermia;
- pituitary tumors.
According to statistics cited by the California Research Center, tamoxifen reduces the risk of breast cancer by 45% compared with patients not taking this drug.
Contraindications
Tamoxifen is completely contraindicated in cases of:
- pregnancy;
- thrombophlebitis;
- hyper sensitivity to the drug;
- leukopenia;
- thrombocytopenia;
- hyperlipidemia;
- hypercalcemia;
- cataracts.
Dosage
Athletes are advised to take Tamoxifen alternately with aromatase inhibitors. Per day, as the main means of administration, it is recommended to take from 10 to 20 mg of Tamoxifen. You should start from the last week of the cycle, finish - in the second week after the course.
Side Effects
Often, side effects are associated with the antiestrogenic properties of Tamoxifen. An overdose or a longer recommended course may result in:
in women - to hair loss, fever, itching, pain in the limbs;
in men - to temperature jumps, nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, diarrhea.
The manifestations of increased fatigue, constipation, anorexia, cataracts, and vision problems are also possible.
Drug Interaction
Excluded from the diet while taking Tamoxifen is recommended secretolytics and antacids. Estrogens weaken the effectiveness of Tamoxifen, progestogens increase.
Cytostatics increase the risk of thrombosis, while the use of Tamoxifen together with other coumarin-type coagulants causes a significant increase in anticoagulant effects.
Storage
Shelf life - 2 years from the date of production. It is strictly forbidden to take Tamoxifen after its release. Store in a dry place, protected from direct sunlight and children, at an air temperature of 16-26 C0.