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• Interactions

Many drugs can interact with tamoxifen. Below is just partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these medications:

• aminoglutethimide (Cytadren);

• bromocriptine (Parlodel);

• cimetidine (Tagamet);

• clozapine (Clozaril, FazaClo);

• isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);

• letrozole (Femara);

• methimazole (Tapazole);

• nicardipine (Cardene);

• pioglitazone (Actos);

• rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane);

• ropinirole (Requip);

• ticlopidine (Ticlid);

• a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin);

• anti-malaria medication such as chloroquine (Arelan) or pyrimethamine (Daraprim), or quinine (Qualaquin);

• HIV or AIDS medicine such as delavirdine (Rescriptor) or ritonavir (Norvir);

• an antibiotic such as terbinafine (Lamisil);

• a heart rhythm medication such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone) or quinidine (Quinidex, Quin-Release Quin-G);

• medicine to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), or thioridazine (Mellaril); or

• an antidepressant such as clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), duloxetine (Cymbalta), fluoxetine (Prozac), imipramine (Tofranil), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or tranylcypromine (Parnate).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with tamoxifen. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using tamoxifen and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;

• sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

• chest pain, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood;

• pain or swelling in one or both legs;

• unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge;

• irregular menstrual periods;

• pain or pressure in your pelvic area;

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;

• new breast lumps; or

• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• hot flashes, warmth or tingly feeling under your skin;

• bone, joint, or tumor pain;

• redness or skin changes;

• swelling in your hands or feet;

• vaginal itching or dryness;

• depressed mood, weakness;

• weight loss;

• nausea;

• cough, sore throat;

• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm;

• headache, dizziness; or

• thinning hair.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.