Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) first came into widespread use in the late 1970s for women who had metastatic breast cancer, where the disease had spread to other parts of the body. Decades since, Tamoxifen's use has been expanded to women after their initial treatment of surgery, chemotherapy or radiation to prevent recurrences of the cancer.
However, the drug, manufactured by Zeneca Pharmaceuticals,
does have some serious side effects. These include increased
risk of uterine (endometrial) cancer and blood clots (deep vein
thrombosis) in the legs. More mild Tamoxifen side effects include
hot flashes similar to those experienced during menopause. In
addition, women taking Tamoxifen may be at slightly increased risk
of developing cataracts. Other common side effects of tamoxifen
include vaginal dryness, irregular periods, and weight gain.
