Tamoxifen citrate is an anti-estrogen medication developed by the U.S. Food And Drug Administration and initially approved on 29 Oct 1998, for treating breast cancer and infertility.

Tamoxifen citrate helps to treat and prevent breast cancer. It is also used to treat infertility in women caused by a failure to produce and release eggs properly. Cancer is a disorder in which cells multiply in an uncontrolled and abnormal manner.

Tamoxifen citrate is a prescription medicine available as a tablet in two doses, Tamoxifen citrate 10mg and 20mg. Do not crush, chew, or open the medicine. Your physician will decide the correct dosage and duration based on age, body weight, and disease condition. Only stop taking the tablet if your doctor advises you to stop.

The side effects known to occur commonly during the treatment with Tamoxifen citrate are 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 and leg cramps. Some serious side effects also include 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) and swelling of feet, ankles, or hands.

Tamoxifen citrate should not be used if you are pregnant, taking treatment for infertility, taking medicines to treat blood clots, and if you have had or having blood clots with the cause not known. 

Talk to your doctor if you have uterine cancer or other problems with your uterus, irregular periods, abnormal vaginal bleeding, or had a stroke before taking this medicine. Use effective birth control during the treatment and for at least 9 months after the last dose. 

Inform the doctor if the patient is allergic, intolerant to glucose, liver, kidney problems and other medications taken for different medical conditions. This medication should be taken daily at a fixed time. Don't overdose on this medications 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. Wockhardt UK Limited, Electronic medicines compendium (emc), [ Revised on July 2018] [ Accessed on 16th June 2023], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.2248.pdf
2. AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, US Food and Drug Administration, [ Revised on Aug 2004] [Accessed on 16th June 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2005/17970s053lbl.pdf
3. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Estrogens and progestins, 12th edition, 2011, 1177 - 1178.
4. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Estrogens, progestins and contraceptives, 7th edition, 2013, 313.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice; it is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.