Tamoxifen Citrate
Tamoxifen citrate is a type of hormone therapy called a selective estrogen receptor modulator (or SERM). It works by binding to estrogen receptors, blocking estrogen’s effects in some tissues while mimicking its effects in others. In breast tissue, tamoxifen citrate blocks estrogen from binding to its receptors, which may prevent the growth of cancer cells. Tamoxifen citrate mimics estrogen’s effects in bone tissue, which may reduce bone resorption and turnover and increase bone mineral density.
FDA label information for this drug is available at DailyMed.
Use in Cancer
Tamoxifen citrate is approved to treat:
- Breast cancer in women and men. It is used:
- in patients whose cancer has spread to other parts of the body
- as adjuvant therapy in women whose cancer was treated with surgery and radiation therapy
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). It is used to decrease the chance of invasive breast cancer in women who have had surgery and radiation therapy for DCIS.
Tamoxifen citrate is also approved to prevent:
- Breast cancer in women who are at high risk for the cancer.
Tamoxifen citrate is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
More About Tamoxifen Citrate
Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.
MedlinePlus Information on Tamoxifen Citrate - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:
- warnings about this drug,
- what this drug is used for and how it is used,
- what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
- what you should know about this drug before using it,
- other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
- possible side effects.
Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.
Research Results and Related Resources
Targeted Therapy to Treat Cancer
Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer
Clinical Trials Accepting Patients
Find Clinical Trials for Tamoxifen Citrate - Check for trials from NCI's list of cancer clinical trials now accepting patients.