Nolvatam 20mg Tablet is used to

• Treat adults with metastatic estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body)
• Treat adults with early-stage estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer (after radiation and surgery for breast cancer)
• Reduce the risk of getting breast cancer in (other breast in adults after treatment for breast cancer & in women with a high risk of getting breast cancer)
• Treat infertility in women
• Reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer in women with DCIS (Ductal carcinoma in situ – cancer of the lining of milk ducts in the breast)

Nolvatam 20mg Tablet competes with estrogen (sex hormone) for binding to the estrogen receptor, decreases the estrogen receptor-dependent growth in breast tissue, and slows down the growth of cancer cells.

Inform your doctor about any prescribed medications, over-the-counter medications, nutritional or vitamin supplements, and herbal products that you are taking or have taken before the treatment. Certain medications may interact with Nolvatam 20mg tablet and decrease its effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects.

• Keep Nolvatam 20mg Tablet out of sight and reach of children.
• Do not store above 25°C.

Always take Nolvatam 20mg Tablet exactly as your doctor has told you. You can take this medicine with or without food. Do not crush or chew the tablets.

Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all medicines cause side effects, not everyone gets them. 

Serious

• Blood clot (chest pain, shortness of breath, feeling weak, swelling of leg or calf)
• Swelling of lips, face, tongue, or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, itching
• Stroke
• Unusual vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge, irregular periods
• A feeling of discomfort in the lower tummy (pain or pressure)
• Swelling of feet, ankles, or hands

Common

• Nausea, vomiting
• Skin rash, hot flushes
• Tiredness
• Changes in vision, taste
• Numbness or tingling in the skin
• High levels of fats in your blood
• Anemia
• Leg cramp
• Headache, feeling light-headed
• Diarrhea, constipation
• Abnormal liver function
• Muscle pain
• Thinning of hair
• Itching of genitals

Inform the doctor if the patient is allergic or intolerant to glucose, liver, kidney problems, and other medications for different medical conditions. This medication should be taken daily at a fixed time. Don't overdose on this medication as it causes severe complications. This medication is not recommended in pregnancy as they cause harmful effects in the developing baby. Inform the doctor if the patient is breastfeeding and undergoing treatment for fertility before starting this medication. It is unsafe to drive and handle heavy machinery as they cause dizziness and patients may lack concentration.

1. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Estrogens and progestins, 12th edition, 2011, 1177 - 1178.
2. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Estrogens, progestins and contraceptives, 7th edition, 2013, 313.
3. Wockhardt UK Limited, Electronic medicines compendium (emc), [ Revised on July 2018] [ Accessed on 2nd July 2021], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.2248.pdf
4. AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, US Food and Drug Administration, [ Revised on Aug 2004] [ Accessed on 2nd July 2021], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2005/17970s053lbl.pdf