Tamoxifen - This is a chemical-based medical drug that is quite rare in the world. After all, this drug is completely unique, it differs significantly from similar products. Doctors classify it as a sex hormone. Like any other medical medicine, use tamoxifen strictly as prescribed by your doctor. Taking tamoxifen on your own may have negative effects on your health.
The drug " Tamoxifen " also has another name. It is also called "Nolvadex". Initially, this drug was developed exclusively for the treatment of women. It was used to prevent cancer. After all, it is able to detect and warn a person about the development of oncology, which made it possible to diagnose and cure the disease in a timely manner. But after some time, tamoxifen began to be actively used in sports, in particular in bodybuilding. The effect of this drug occurs very slowly, especially in the first stages of treatment, so it is recommended to take it together with other similar drugs.
As already mentioned, tamoxifen began to be actively used in sports. And there are good reasons for this. The fact is that tamoxifen significantly increases the level of testosterone in a man’s body, because this drug is an anti-estrogen. According to statistics, if we compare the initial data of endogenous testosterone in a man’s body, then if he takes the drug at twenty mg for ten days, the level of testosterone in his blood will increase by 42%. And if you use it for more than a month and a half, this level can even increase to 83%. These statistics indicate that tamoxifen is much more effective than other drugs. This is one of its main advantages.
Release form and composition
Tamoxifen is available in tablet form. They are white with a creamy tint. The shape is flat-cylindrical. Available in 10 and 20 mg doses. One package can contain 30, 50 and 100 pieces.
When developing the drug, the active substance tamoxifen was used. Additional components include:
- magnesium stearate;
- lactose monohydrate;
- povidone;
- potato starch.
pharmachologic effect
How does Tamoxifen work? The drug Tamoxifen is a non-steroidal anti-estrogenic drug that has a weak estrogenic effect. The therapeutic effect is based on the ability to block estrogen receptors. Metabolic products of the drug compete with female hormones - estrogens for binding sites with intracellular estrogen receptors in tissues:
- mammary gland;
- uterus;
- vagina;
- anterior pituitary gland;
- tumors with a high concentration of female hormone receptors.
How does Tamoxifen help? The receptor complex of the main component inhibits DNA synthesis in the nucleus, inhibits cell division, which leads to regression.
Action
A distinctive feature of the anti-estrogen drug Tamoxifen is that it has a gradual effect on the functioning of the endocrine glands and is not capable of causing a sharp imbalance of sex hormones. When taken orally, the active substance of the drug is well absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract.
The maximum concentration of Tamoxifen in the blood serum is observed 7 hours after the start of therapy. Optimal accumulation of the chemical in muscle fibers and connective tissue is achieved after 6 weeks of taking the drug.
The antiestrogenic effect of tamoxifen is achieved after the active substance of the drug reaches the receptors responsible for identifying the hormones of the estradiol group.
The action of female sex hormones - estrogens - is blocked. The drug is equally effective regardless of whether it is taken on an empty stomach or after a meal. In this case, the pharmacokinetics of the drug does not change.
Metabolism of Tamoxifen occurs in the liver tissue, and chemicals formed during the breakdown of the drug are excreted in bile. About 3% of the active components of the drug are found in urine. During the metabolism of tamoxifen, citrate breaks down into desmethyltamoxifen, which is converted into the desdimethyl metabolite through demethylation.
During the breakdown of tamoxifen citrate into its constituent components, an additional load is created on the liver tissue. In this regard, the drug can disrupt the functioning of this organ, causing its systemic dysfunction.
Indications
When is Tamoxifen prescribed? It is effective for the following pathologies:
- early stage breast cancer with ER positive;
- local advanced or metastatic breast cancer with ER positive;
- breast cancer, even in men after castration.
When diagnosing overexpression of female hormone receptors, Tamoxifen is used in the treatment of other tumors that are resistant to standard treatment methods.
Indications for use
Tamoxifen belongs to the category of potent non-steroidal drugs that suppress estrogen synthesis. The antihormonal effect of the drug is achieved by suppressing the sensitivity of the receptors responsible for the perception of estradiol.
In bodybuilding, the drug is indicated for use in the following cases:
Indications for use | Intended use of the drug |
Fluid retention in the body | During an intensive training course aimed at gaining muscle mass, as well as the concomitant intake of steroid hormones, leads to the retention of excess fluid in the muscle fibers and soft tissues of the body. Regular use of Tamoxifen allows you to remove excess water, dry out the muscles and give them a sculpted effect. This property of the drug is especially in demand by athletes who are preparing for competitive programs where the aesthetic appearance of muscle mass is assessed. |
Long-term use of androgens and anabolic steroids | During long-term use of anabolic steroids, a critical increase in male sex hormones is possible. To bring their concentration within normal limits, prophylactic doses of Tamoxifen are prescribed. The drug can be used during a training course in combination with steroid drugs, or used during the recovery period after consuming anabolic products. |
Female-type breast growth | Long-term use of hormonal drugs that promote muscle gain, increase cardiovascular endurance, and can cause an imbalance of male and female sex hormones. If estrogen levels increase in the male body, radical changes in hormonal levels occur. In this regard, a man may experience signs of gynecomastia, when the mammary gland enlarges with its female-type growth. The active components of Tamoxifen block the sensitivity of receptors responsible for recognizing estrogen. Thanks to this, the pathological growth of the mammary glands stops. |
Obesity | Athletes who are professional bodybuilders periodically face the problem of gaining excess body weight. After completing a course of taking drugs that increase muscle mass, a gradual decrease in testosterone levels in the blood is possible. At the same time, the concentration of estrogen increases proportionally. The consequence of this process is excess weight gain with localization of adipose tissue in the waist, anterior abdominal wall, and around the pectoral and gluteal muscles. Taking Tamoxifen after completing a course of intense training prevents obesity. |
Decreased testosterone concentration | Men and women who are professional bodybuilders periodically face the problem of too low levels of testosterone in the blood. A deficiency of this male sex hormone leads to a lack of positive results from training, the growth of muscle mass stops, and the body's endurance decreases. Regular use of Tamoxifen maintains stable testosterone levels and prevents the growth of estrogen. |
Prevention of testicular atrophy | Taking anabolic steroids, which saturate the body with additional testosterone, can lead to testicular dysfunction and cause atrophic processes. Tamoxifen ensures a balance of sex hormones, which stimulates the functioning of the organs of the male reproductive system, preventing atrophic processes. |
Increased endurance and muscle density | Removing excess fluid from the body, as well as increasing the concentration of testosterone in the blood, increases the density of muscle fibers, as well as their endurance during exercise. Especially if the athlete's training program is aimed at working with heavy weights and high repetitions. |
Preservation of muscle mass | To preserve the muscle mass that was gained during a course of intense training and taking anabolic steroids, it is necessary to take Tamoxifen. The drug is prescribed to maintain physical fitness and prevent muscle tissue obesity. Taking the drug is indicated for athletes who have completed their careers, or are taking a break from intense physical activity and do not want to lose shape. |
Restoring the balance of female and male sex hormones | An imbalance of male and female sex hormones is the consequence of prolonged bodybuilding and the use of anabolic steroids. To restore stable hormonal levels, prophylactic use of Tamoxifen is prescribed. |
Tamoxifen is also used in bodybuilding under the name Nolvadex.
Taking the drug is indicated only after a preliminary examination by an endocrinologist, as well as with his direct permission.
Unauthorized therapy with Tamoxifen, aimed at restoring the body after a training course, gaining muscle mass, preventing obesity, may not bring the expected result, and may also worsen the balance of male and female sex hormones.
Contraindications
Tamoxifen should not be used in the following cases:
- hypersensitivity to the composition;
- bearing a child and breastfeeding.
People should use the medication with caution when:
- insufficient kidney function;
- diabetes mellitus;
- eye diseases;
- deep vein thrombosis;
- increased concentration of lipids in the blood;
- reduced concentration of leukocytes in the blood;
- lack of platelets in the blood;
- increased concentration of calcium in blood plasma;
- concomitant treatment with indirect anticoagulants.
How to maintain your figure during cancer treatment?
Thanks to modern diagnostic methods, the survival rate for breast cancer in the early stages exceeds 90%. With timely diagnosis, the disease is no longer a death sentence. After complex therapy, a woman has the right to count on a long and happy life. Therefore, her eternal desire to maintain her figure and beauty is quite natural.
According to American oncologists, during treatment for breast cancer, patients gain an average of 1 to 6 kilograms.
- Radiation therapy
— Walkthrough
— Initial body weight deficiency
— Age under 30 years at the time of diagnosis
— Premenopausal at the time of diagnosis
— Physical inactivity after surgery
Extra pounds due to tumors pose a hidden threat. The fact is that adipose tissue produces inflammatory mediators - substances that stimulate breast cancer cells. Therefore, keeping in shape with this serious diagnosis has medical, and not just aesthetic, purposes.
whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, berries, low-fat yogurt, lean white meat.
The maximum level of physical activity that your doctor allows based on your condition.
Try to overcome stress, which negatively affects your health and fitness. Seek help from a psychologist, learn meditation and a new hobby.
Side effects
The consequences of taking Tamoxifen arise as a result of its antiestrogenic effect. Characterized by the occurrence of the following symptoms:
- hot flashes of a paroxysmal nature;
- bleeding from the vagina;
- itching of the genitals;
- hair loss;
- painful sensations in the affected area;
- increase in body weight.
The following clinical picture is extremely rare:
- allergies, Quincke's edema;
- rise in temperature;
- sudden weight loss;
- fluid retention;
- nausea;
- constipation;
- vomit;
- confusion;
- headache;
- depression;
- increased fatigue;
- drowsiness;
- skin rash;
- visual impairment;
- retrobulbar neuritis;
- impotence, decreased libido.
Very rarely, when using Tamoxifen, interstitial pneumonitis develops. At the initial stage of therapy, local exacerbation of the disease may occur. This manifests itself in the form of an increase in the size of soft tissue formations. Often an exacerbation is characterized by severe redness of the affected areas and adjacent areas. These types of disturbances are transitory. They disappear after 2 weeks.
Other possible side effects of Tamoxifen include:
- limb spasms;
- increased concentration of platelets and leukocytes in the blood;
- increased activity of liver enzymes;
- increase in serum triglyceride levels.
If a patient has breast cancer accompanied by bone metastases, then at the initial stage of treatment the concentration of calcium in the blood may increase. Treatment with Tamoxifen may be accompanied by the formation of thromboembolism and thrombophlebitis.
In women, after using the drug, the following side symptoms are possible:
- irregular menstruation;
- reversible ovarian cyst;
- with prolonged use, the endometrium changes, which leads to the development of uterine fibroids, polyps, hyperplasia, uterine sarcoma and endometrial cancer.
Alternatives to Tamoxifen
While the cancer industry continues to invest enormous amounts of money in the discovery, production and research of toxic drugs to prevent and treat cancer, safe and effective alternatives already exist. Estriol, one of the estrogens produced by the ovaries, is a safe estrogen and also prevents the development of breast cancer. Dr. Henry Lemon and his colleagues conducted a study of women with breast cancer that had metastasized to other parts of the body. One group received estriol and the other did not. At the end of the study, those women who received estriol went into remission or their tumor growth stopped. Couldn't estriol, a natural, safe hormone with virtually no side effects, do the same thing as tamoxifen, but without the same toxic complications? There is also evidence that progesterone plays an important role in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer. A 1981 study at Johns Hopkins University found that when a group of women with low progesterone levels was compared with a group with normal progesterone levels, the low progesterone group was 5.4 times more likely to have breast cancer. . Thus, the incidence of breast cancer (BC) in the low progesterone group was 80% higher than in the normal progesterone group. When the scientists examined the low progesterone group for all other types of cancer, they found that such women were at ten times the risk of other cancers than the normal progesterone group of women. A 1995 study published in the Journal of Fertility and Sterility found that cutaneous progesterone cream significantly reduced breast cell division (proliferation) compared to a placebo or estrogen group. This promising study showed that natural progesterone cream dramatically reduced the rate of breast cell proliferation. Lifestyle factors also play a very significant role. In a very large study of 25,624 Norwegian women aged 24 to 54 years, after following them for an average of about 14 years, researchers found strong evidence that daily exercise, both at work and at home, reduced the risk of breast cancer. Women who exercised at least 4 hours a week had a 37% reduced risk of breast cancer compared to women who were inactive. It was also found that the more time spent exercising, the lower the risk.
As Dr. John Lee noted in his best-selling book, What Doctors Don't Tell You About Menopause: “Plants and foods contain phyto-estrogens. Their benefits are as good as tamoxifen, but without the serious complications. Phyto-estrogens occupy the estrogen receptors of cells and are less estrogenic in effect than those produced in the body. Since it is now known that reducing caloric intake reduces estrogen levels, it seems logical that women interested in reducing their risk of breast cancer can make modest changes to their diet and achieve better and much safer results. A recent study found that women who ate more fruits and vegetables had a 46% lower risk of breast cancer.
History repeats itself. Time and time again, women are told that a miracle drug or treatment will cure their illness. However, it is later discovered that the women received carcinogenic and mutagenic chemicals instead. drugs. Combined with the DES fiasco, the thalidomide fiasco, silicone breast implants, estrogen replacement therapy, and now tamoxifen (to name a few), it becomes clear how easily women's lives are sacrificed for profit. Concerns about this have been drowned out by glossy advertising campaigns and claims from so-called “medical experts.” There are ways to solve the breast cancer epidemic. However, they will be found in changing lifestyle, eating habits, eliminating stressors, reducing or eliminating exposure to known toxic and carcinogenic factors that pollute our environment. These solutions will not be found through the discovery of a “miracle cure.” Women must also not only continue to educate themselves about safe treatment options, but also demand the same from health care providers. Too many women have already been maimed and sacrificed by unproven and unsafe drugs and methods. Many are convinced that today's drugs are tomorrow's recognized poisons and in the case of tamoxifen, tomorrow has already come.
Excerpt from Nexus Magazine, Part 5, #4 (June – July 1998)
Author: Sherryl Selman Translated by Boris Grinblat
The article contains the following materials:
Weed,Susan S., Breast Cancer? Breast Health!, Ash Tree Publishing, Woodstock, New York, 1996, page 203 Batt, Sharon, Patient No More: The Politics of Breast Cancer, Spinifex Press, Melbourne, Australia, 1994, page 118 Epstein MD, Samuel S.; Steinman, David; LeVert, Suzanne; The Breast Cancer Prevention Program, Macmillan, New York, 1997, page 145 Rinzler, Carol Ann, Estrogen and Breast Cancer, Hunter House, California, 1996, pages 148 – 149 Epstein, ibid., page 146 Weed, ibid., page 201 Clorfene-Casten, Liane, Breast Cancer: Poisons, Profits and Prevention, Common Courage Press, Maine, USA, 1996, page 93 Austin ND, Steve; Hitchcock, Cathy; Breast Cancer: What You Should Know (But May Not Be Told) About Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment, Prima Publishing, Rocklion, California, 1994, page 102 Early Breast Cancer Trials Collaborative Group, “Systemic treatment of early breast cancer by hormonal, cytotoxic , or immune therapy.” The Lancet (1992) 339, pages 1 – 15, 71 – 85 De Gregorio, M. and Wibe, V., Tamoxifen and Breast Cancer, Yale University, USA, 1994 Batt, ibid., page 125 De Gregorio and Wibe, op . cit. Love MD, Susan, Dr. Susan Love's Hormone Book, Random House, New York, 1997, page 264 Ibid., pages 264 – 265 Weed, ibid., page 204 Epstein, ibid., page 149 Ibid. Weed, ibid., page 205 Adler, T., “Studies spark tamoxifen controversy,” Science News, February 26, 1994, page 133 Nesmith, Jeff , “Breast Cancer Drug Increases Risk:, The Atlanta Journal / The Atlanta Constitution, February 22, 1996 Clorfene-Casten, ibid., page 89 Rinzler, ibid., page 152 Epstein, ibid., page 146 Ibid., page 148 Northrup MD, Christiane, Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom, Bantam Books, New York, 1996, page 158 Sellman, Sherrill, Hormone Heresy: What Women MUST Know About Their Hormones, GetWell International, USA, 1997, pages 107 – 108 Thune MD, Inger , et al., New England Journal of Medicine, May 1, 1997 Lee M.D., John R., What Doctors May Not Tell You About Menopause, Warner Books, New York, 1996, page 220
Attention! The information provided is not an officially recognized method of treatment and is for general educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the authors or staff of MedAlternativa.info. This information cannot replace the advice and prescription of doctors. The authors of MedAlternativa.info are not responsible for the possible negative consequences of using any drugs or using the procedures described in the article/video. The question of the possibility of applying the described means or methods to their individual problems should be decided by readers/viewers themselves after consultation with their doctor.
Overdose
To date, cases of acute overdose have not been reported. If Tamoxifen is used in increased dosage, the following symptoms may develop:
- dizziness;
- hyperreflexia;
- tremor;
- unsteadiness of gait.
There is no specific antidote for Tamoxifen. If an overdose occurs, symptomatic therapy is prescribed.
How to take tamoxifen correctly
We conclude that tamoxifen is most effective while taking steroids rather than after. This means that it must be used throughout the course.
Rules of use:
- We start using tamoxifen a week after starting a course of steroids. This is due to the fact that the first signs of gynecomastia appear no earlier than after 2 weeks. But it’s better to play it safe and start taking it within a week.
- We take 1 tablet a day, no more is required. Even 20 mg copes with its task 100%.
- After stopping taking steroids, continue taking tamoxifen for another 2 weeks. Since during this time a high level of testosterone is maintained in the body, it needs to be controlled with Tamox.
special instructions
In order for treatment with Tamoxifen to have a positive effect and no unpleasant symptoms, it is necessary to follow some recommendations during therapy:
- Before starting a therapeutic course, a woman must undergo a thorough diagnosis by a gynecologist and therapist.
- The action of Tamoxifen has a positive effect on the development of ovulation. This increases the risk of conceiving a child. Women of reproductive age need to use reliable methods of contraception, but not hormonal ones. Use them throughout the entire treatment and for 90 days after the end of the therapeutic course.
- During treatment, monitor blood clotting indicators, blood calcium levels, plasma levels, liver performance indicators, and blood pressure. Visit your eye doctor every 90 days. If bloody discharge from the vagina occurs, stop taking the medication.
- In case of metastasis to bones, at the initial stage of therapy it is necessary to monitor the concentration of calcium in the blood serum. If it increases, then stop taking Tamoxifen. If metastases go to the liver, then taking the medicine is not effective.
- If symptoms of thrombosis of the leg veins occur (pain, swelling), shortness of breath, indicating thromboembolism of the branches of the pulmonary artery, then stop treatment with the drug.
- In patients with elevated blood lipid levels, monitor serum cholesterol and TG levels during therapy.
- During the therapeutic course, drive carefully and engage in activities that are potentially dangerous and require quick psychomotor reactions and increased concentration.
Advantages of the drug
Tamoxifen has a number of benefits:
- Low cost compared to analogues.
- High efficiency.
- No side effects when used correctly.
- Low toxicity of the drug.
- Reduces cholesterol levels in the body.
In addition, Tamox has many functions, such as: increasing strength, burning fat, increasing muscle mass, etc. In fact, this is an exaggeration and tamoxifen does not perform any of these functions.
Drug interactions
Tamoxifen may be prescribed in combination with other medications. To do this, you need to know how they interact with Tamoxifen:
- When taken simultaneously with anticoagulants (for example, Warfarin), an increase in anticoagulant effect is observed.
- When combined with cytostatic drugs, the likelihood of blood clots increases.
- Tandem with tegafur increases the likelihood of developing liver cirrhosis and hepatitis in the active chronic phase.
- When combined with drugs that reduce calcium excretion (thiazide diuretics), the likelihood of an increase in calcium levels in the blood increases.
- Tandem with bromocriptine increases the concentration of tamoxifen and N-desmethyltamoxifen in the blood.
- In combination with other hormonal drugs (estrogen-containing drugs), the therapeutic effect of both drugs is weakened.
Reviews of tamoxifen
Tamoxifen is a very controversial drug, and therefore there are varied reviews about it:
- According to some experienced athletes, tamoxifen is a thing of the past. Now there are more modern and effective drugs, so there is no point in using it.
- Most athletes who use tamoxifen as an aromatase inhibitor are happy with it. In their opinion, Tamox perfectly blocks the increase in estrogen and copes with its task.
- All who prefer tamoxifen agreed that side effects are extremely rare or do not occur at all. This drug is very “soft” and does not harm the body.
- When using a large number of steroid drugs, it is still recommended to use anastrozole as an estrogen blocker. This drug is more powerful, but also more expensive.
- As a PCT, tamoxifen is quite weak, as athletes claim. After a steroid course, it works well only in conjunction with Proviron.
- Tamoxifen removes water from the body, which once again emphasizes its need during steroid use, and not after.
Analogs
If you cannot purchase an analogue for some reason, your doctor may prescribe Tamoxifen analogues. They may have different compositions, but have the same therapeutic effect. Effective analogues include:
- Tamoxifen-Ferein. This is an antitumor drug whose action is aimed at blocking estrogen receptors. This leads to inhibition of cancer progression. Not prescribed during pregnancy. If a woman is feeding her baby with breast milk, then lactation should be stopped during therapy with this medicine. The dosage is prescribed individually depending on the indications, symptoms and antitumor therapy used. The cost of the medicine is 685 rubles.
- Vero-Tamoxifen. The action comes down to blocking estrogen receptors in the affected organs and inhibiting tumor growth. When using the medicine, stop breastfeeding. Take the tablets orally, do not chew them, but wash them down with water. Divide the dosage prescribed by the doctor into 2 doses - morning and evening. The daily norm will be 0.02-0.04 g. Take daily until signs of disease progression appear. The cost of the drug is 230 rubles.
- Tamoxifen Lachema. This Tamoxifen analogue belongs to antitumor antiestrogenic agents. Has a similar effect. Once estrogen is blocked, it can persist for 14-21 days after a single dose. The cost of the medicine is 89-119 rubles.
- Tamoxifen-Ebewe. This is an antitumor drug that has an anti-extrogen effect. Drink the drug 10-20 mg 2 times a day. The duration of therapy is 2-3 years. You can buy the medicine for 1,500 rubles.
- Fareston. A non-steroidal anti-estrogenic drug based on toremifene. It is a derivative of triphenylethylene. This component has the ability to bind to female hormone receptors. It has estrogen-like or antiestrogenic activity, taking into account the duration of treatment, gender and the affected organ. The cost of the medicine is 1,750 rubles.
- Faslodex. An antiestrogenic drug that has an antitumor effect. For adults, the dosage is 500 mg. This is a monthly dose per month. In the first month of therapy - 500 mg 2 times a month, and then administer the drug 14 days after the first administration. The cost of the medicine is 22,220 rubles.
Application
Tamoxifen in bodybuilding can be used during a course of intense physical activity, in combination with taking anabolic steroids, or as an independent drug during the period of recovery of the body.
No steroids
Tamoxifen therapy without the use of anabolic steroids is aimed at suppressing the receptors responsible for identifying estradiol sex hormones. To reduce estrogen levels, increase testosterone concentrations and speed up the process of gaining lean muscle mass, the optimal dosage of the drug is 20 mg per day.
The average duration of taking the medication is from 4 to 10 weeks. If the expected effect is not achieved, the dosage of the drug can be increased by another 10 mg.
Separately
Athletes who are professionally involved in bodybuilding, who do not take chemical additives and hormonal substances that stimulate muscle growth, should take 30 mg of Tamoxifen. This is a dosage of the drug that exceeds the average.
The maximum dose of the drug for an adult who is involved in bodybuilding is 40 mg per day.
Exceeding the indicated doses is not recommended, as the risk of overdose and side effects increases. The average duration of taking the drug is from 1.5 to 2.5 months. depending on what results the athlete wants to achieve in bodybuilding.
As part of the course
In combination with anabolic steroids, as well as other drugs that accelerate muscle gain, increase endurance, and burn fat tissue, Tamoxifen is taken 10-20 mg per day.
These are the optimal doses, the observance of which allows you to reduce the level of estrogen in the blood, increase the concentration of testosterone and prevent the development of side effects associated with an imbalance of sex hormones. While taking anabolic steroids, you should avoid simultaneous use of Tamoxifen tablets.
The time interval between the use of these drugs should be at least 1 hour.
After the course
After completing a course of active physical activity and taking anabolic steroids, the process of rehabilitation therapy begins. If the goal is to restore the disturbed balance of female and male sex hormones, then you should take 20 mg of tamoxifen citrate daily.
If the drug is prescribed for preventive purposes, then it is enough to take 10 mg of the medication per day.
The use of tamoxifen in bodybuilding (post-cycle therapy)
Getting rid of signs of gynecomastia, female obesity, a critical increase in the level of hormonal substances of the estradiol group requires daily intake of 30 mg of tamoxifen citrate.
In case of urgent need, the daily dose can be increased to 40 mg. Long-term use of maximum dosages, which lasts more than 14 days, requires prior consultation with an endocrinologist.
It is also recommended to undergo a biochemical blood test to determine the balance of female and male sex hormones. The average duration after a course of recovery with Tamoxifen is from 1 to 2 months. The daily dosage of the drug can be divided into 2-3 doses.
The tablets must be consumed while maintaining the integrity of the protective shell, washed down with a sufficient amount of water at room temperature. It is forbidden to crush the drug into a powder or chew it. In this case, the pharmacological properties of tamoxifen citrate may be noticeably reduced.
Reviews
Irina, 56 years old: “About 5 years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It’s good that I turned to a doctor for help in time and I managed to defeat the disease at the initial stage. Immediately after the examination, it became known that there was no metastasis. They did not perform an operation on me, as they initially decided to eliminate the tumor with medication. The treatment regimen included the drug Tamoxifen. He played an important role in my recovery. I used it for 9 months. There was one side effect - hair loss, but I decided that the hair would still grow back, so life was more valuable. Today I feel good, but every six months I visit a doctor and get examined.”
Inna, 62 years old: “I want to share this effective drug with everyone. He helped overcome such an illness as breast cancer not only for me, but also for one of my friends. Of course, they cannot be cured alone, but he plays one of the main roles. After breast removal, I was prescribed effective therapy, including Tamoxifen. I used it 2 times a day for 6 months. I had unpleasant side symptoms in the form of nausea, vomiting, baldness, but I endured everything, since victory over the disease was so close. The doctor did not stop the drug for me, since such symptoms are considered normal. Today I am completely healthy, which is what I wish for everyone.”
Tamoxifen is an effective drug developed to combat breast tumors. It is effective to use at the initial stage of development of the pathological process, while there are still no metastases. The downside of the drug can be considered a large number of side effects. Although, if you do not exceed the dosage and follow the doctor’s recommendations, then their severity is not so pronounced. The next disadvantage is the duration of therapy, but it is very effective.
Introduction
Once praised for its benefits in preventing breast cancer (BC) recurrences, the lucrative pharmaceutical drug tamoxifen is now linked to dangerous complications, including other forms of cancer. In the 1970s, the shameful chapter was closed on the widespread use of a known carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting drug called DES (diethylstilboestrol). It was the first synthetic non-steroidal estrogen drug. Despite the objections of its creator, Sir Charles Dodd, between 4 and 6 million American and European women and 10,000 Australian women used it to prevent miscarriages and pregnancy complications. In addition, DES has also been used for a range of other conditions, although it has not been approved for this. It has been used to stop lactation, treat acne, treat certain types of breast and prostate cancer, as a growth inhibitor in teenage girls, as an estrogen substitute during menopause, and as a morning after pill. It took more than 30 years for early laboratory tests (1938) to be taken into account, proving that DES was a very dangerous and crippling drug. It turns out that 20 years after stopping DES use, women were 40-50% more likely to get breast cancer than non-users. Also, children of mothers who took DES had more birth defects. There were also more miscarriages, vaginal cancer, testicular cancer, infertility, and immune disorders observed after DES.
Many experts fear that complications from taking this drug will be felt even generations later. The irony of this fiasco is that the medical establishment finally admitted that DES was useless in preventing miscarriages. Thus, DES became yet another disastrous experiment on women and added to a long list of major medical errors.
Shortly thereafter, a new drug emerged that would later be hailed as the “best hope” in the war against the growing breast cancer epidemic. In the late 60s, the pharmaceutical industry developed a drug called tamoxifen. Being a synthetic, non-steroidal drug with hormonal-mimicking effects (many of which are not yet understood), it causes the same abnormal changes as those noted in women taking estradiol and DES. This similarity alarmed many. Pierre Blais, a renowned researcher who was kicked out of Canada's health service for speaking out about silicone implants, describes the tamoxifen picture as "the story of the modern drug synthesis process as a waste-producing process." He explains: “The production of real medicines unfortunately stopped in the 1930s.” He further states: “Tamoxifen is trash that deserves to be in a landfill.” This is actually a continuation of DES. Blais's predictions were ignored by the promise of a potential drug to treat breast cancer. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) initially approved this drug as a contraceptive, but it turned out that it stimulated rather than inhibited ovulation. Although it did not work as a contraceptive, it was nevertheless found to reduce the likelihood of breast cancer in mammals.
Animal studies have shown that tamoxifen prevents estrogen from attaching to receptors on breast cells. Tamoxifen also reduced the likelihood of mammary cancer in rats after administration of the carcinogen. These data became the basis for research into its effect in the treatment of breast cancer in humans. Estrogen is the common link between most risk factors for this cancer, namely genetic, reproductive, nutritional, lifestyle and environmental. Estrogen stimulates the division of breast cells (both healthy and cancerous) and at the same time, especially in its “bad” form, increases the risk of breast cancer. Thus, hormonal drugs like tamoxifen, which block the effects of estrogen in the breast, should reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence when treated with breast cancer in women with this diagnosis. Tamoxifen works as a weak estrogen, competing for the estrogen receptor, acting in the same way as phyto-estrogens. Like phyto-estrogens, tamoxifen acts as a weak estrogen, but is considered an anti-estrogen because it inhibits the activity of regular estrogens. More precisely, tamoxifen is an estrogen blocker. It competes with estrogen for estrogen receptors on breast cancer cells.
Every estrogen molecule that attaches to an estrogen receptor prevents an estrogen molecule from attaching to that same receptor. Without a constant supply of estrogen, cells in estrogen receptor-positive tumors are not given the opportunity to develop, and the tumor's ability to spread is reduced. However, tamoxifen has two conflicting properties. It can act as an anti-estrogen or as an estrogen. Thus, while tamoxifen behaves as an anti-estrogen in the mammary glands, it behaves as an estrogen in the ovaries and, to a lesser extent, in heart tissue, blood vessels and bones. Although tamoxifen initially showed an ability to reduce breast cancer relapse rates, it was soon discovered that it promotes particularly aggressive uterine and liver cancers, causes fatal blood clots, and interferes with many other important functions. However, doctors quickly took tamoxifen, choosing to ignore its more dangerous tendencies (properties). Beginning in the 1970s, oncologists began using tamoxifen to treat women with cancer, often in combination with other drugs, radiation therapy or surgery, with modest results.
As with DES, the benefits of tamoxifen have been expanded for use in the prevention of osteoporosis and heart disease. Today, in America alone, doctors treat approximately 1 million breast cancer patients with tamoxifen. Moreover, more than 20% of whom have been doing this for more than 5 years. In 1989, the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in 1992 published studies that showed that women with breast cancer taking tamoxifen had a 30-50% reduction in the likelihood of developing cancer in the other breast (contralateral breast). cancer). These studies were later called into question. Today, tamoxifen is recommended for all women with hormone-positive breast cancer before menopause, as well as for most women with breast cancer after menopause. Tamoxifen is also increasingly used to treat women with hormone-negative breast cancer. Tamoxifen today is the most commonly used drug for breast cancer.
Tamoxifen (brand name Nolvadex) is the most prescribed drug in the world today. It brought in revenue of $265 million in 1992. Already in 1995, world sales of Nolvadex reached $400 million. And it is not cheap, costing $90 per month. Tamoxifen was developed by the English corporation Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), one of the largest multinational chemical corporations. Zeneca, a subsidiary of ICI, is responsible for manufacturing and marketing the drug and is the largest cancer drug company today. Interestingly, ICI receives income from 2 sides of the “cancer industry”. ICI's agrochemical division, which also includes Zeneca, produces chlorinated and other chemicals, including pesticides. All of them are poisons, many of them disrupt hormonal balance, which is one of the main causes of breast cancer. ICI's profits are greatly increased by sales of chemicals that cause breast cancer, on the one hand, and sales of a drug that purports to cure cancer, on the other.
Compound
"Tamoxifen" and all its synonyms have the same active ingredient. It's called tamoxifen citrate. Tablets may contain different amounts (10, 20, 30 mg). This must be indicated on the packaging.
Additional substances in drugs from different manufacturers may differ slightly. Mainly used:
- povidone;
- magnesium stearate;
- potato starch;
- lactose monohydrate.
Finnish manufacturers include corn starch (instead of potato starch) and sodium glycolate.
Austrian pharmacists use microcrystalline cellulose and colloidal silicon dioxide.
Additional substances in the German medicine:
- lactose;
- sodium glycolate;
- povidone;
- magnesium stearate;
- microcrystalline cellulose;
- titanium dioxide (for shell);
- hypermellose.
If you are prone to allergic reactions, when purchasing a drug, carefully study its composition so as not to aggravate your condition.
Side effects and how to use the drug
Tamoxifen has contraindications only in two cases: during pregnancy and thrombophlebitis. A woman needs to make sure that she is not carrying a child. Otherwise, the active component of the drug may harm both the embryo and the mother. Separate restrictions are established for people suffering from hypercalcemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia.
In some cases, side effects are observed during therapy:
- hyperthermia;
- bowel dysfunction;
- liver dysfunction;
- rash, redness and dry skin;
- pain in bones or lesions;
- neurological disorders in the form of headache, confusion and others;
- Negative manifestations from the stomach in the form of nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite.
In case of drug overdose, side effects may increase. If negative signs appear, immediately consult a doctor. To eliminate them, therapy is carried out and the dosage of the medication is adjusted. You may have to stop taking the medication.
The correct dosage of the drug is determined by the doctor, taking into account the patient’s condition and other indicators. It is dangerous to adjust the number of pills you take on your own.
Cost, terms of sale, storage
Tamoxifen can be purchased at pharmacies without a prescription.
The cost of the drug depends on the country of manufacture, the number of capsules in the package and the dosage of the drug in one tablet:
Tamoxifen HEXAL (Germany) | – from 3 dollars; |
Tamoxifen ORION (Finland) | – from 2-2.5 dollars; |
Tamoxifen EBEVE (Austria) | – from 18 dollars; |
Tamoxifen OZONE (Russia) | – from 1.5 dollars. |
The shelf life of the drug from the date of production is 5 years. It is necessary to store the medicine at a temperature of no more than 25 degrees.
Tamoxifen in bodybuilding
Tamoxifen compares favorably with its peers in that it does not belong to the group of anabolic or androgenic drugs. Its use by bodybuilders allows athletes to increase the density and definition of muscles and body weight, or to reduce them in combination with a properly selected diet.
Advice: it is important to remember and understand that an independent decision to take medications of this type is unacceptable. Prior consultation with a qualified physician is required.
According to statistics, taking Tamoxifen significantly affects the level of testosterone in the blood - after the first week of use, bodybuilders’ performance can increase by more than 40%, which confirms the effectiveness of this drug.
A few words about breast cancer
This disease can occur in girls and women of different ages, but is most often diagnosed in patients who are over 40. Not a single doctor knows the exact causes of the disease. However, it is known that breast cancer is often observed in those who have undergone long-term hormonal therapy with drugs containing estrogen. Under its influence, cancer cell receptors provoke the growth and reproduction of their own kind. This is how hormone-dependent, or estrogen-positive, breast cancer begins.
It is diagnosed more often than other forms (in approximately 2 out of 3 cases). If a woman has this type of cancer, estrogen-suppressing medications may help her. This is exactly what Tamoxifen is. Imported and domestic medicine with this name can be bought at any pharmacy. In Russia it is included in the list of vital medical supplies. It is important to note that in other forms of cancer the effect of the drug is minimal.
Tamoxifen for gynecomastia
This drug helps prevent the occurrence of gynecomastia in men. This effect is achieved by the fact that in representatives of the stronger sex the effect of estrogens is neutralized, i.e. female sex hormones. Moreover, the drug can be taken regardless of the reasons for the appearance of such a disease (for example, in adolescents, during aging of the body).
Tamoxifen for gynecomastia in men is prescribed according to a strictly individual regimen. Today among doctors there is no single developed treatment regimen using this drug. Men need to pay attention to the following nuances:
- It is recommended to start treatment at any stage of pathology development. Its effectiveness in this case does not change. To avoid side effects, you must diligently follow all the recommendations of the therapist.
- It can also be prescribed for the prevention of gynecomastia.
- If the disease has already formed, then you should drink this medicine daily. In advanced cases, the dosage may be slightly increased, and after achieving the desired effect, reduced.
- The patient is prohibited from independently changing the dose and regimen of the medication to avoid the development of side effects.
Hykenomastia
Analogues, which is better
Analogs of Tamoxifen, like any other medicine, can be structural and relative.
Among the drugs with a similar active ingredient are:
Nolvadex | Novofen | Zitazonium | Bilem |
We recommend you learn: Glucose tolerance test standards
Relative drug substitutes can be considered products that contain a different active substance, but the drug is used for the same indications:
Clomid | Letrozole | Proviron and others |
The table below shows the differences and comparison of which is better among Tamoxifen analogues:
Tamoxifen or Proviron? | The difference between medications is the strength of the side effects. Proviron has fewer negative consequences, and patients experience them much less frequently. It is not as easy to purchase as the advertised product and its cost is higher - from $15. |
Clomid or Tamoxifen? | Clomid is inferior in strength to its rival. The cost of this drug, on the contrary, is higher. Clomid tablets cost 4 times more than Tamoxifen. If we look at the statistics, the last resort is more often used in the treatment of breast cancer. |
Tamoxifen or Letrozole? | Comparative studies of the results of using both drugs give reason to believe that when treated with Letrozole, patients have a higher survival rate for different types of cancer. The cost of the drugs also differs; Letrozole costs $30 or more. |
Domestic or imported Tamoxifen? | The opinion of experts is that there is not much difference between the German and Austrian manufacturers. The Indian drug is not of the best quality, since it undergoes less quality purification and more often causes negative reactions. |
Interaction between alcoholic beverages and medications
The answer to the question about the interaction of two incompatible substances will be given only by a specialist who objectively assesses the patient’s condition, the severity and course of his disease. In this regard, he will either allow the consumption of alcoholic beverages or leave them prohibited.
Reviews from patients and doctors indicate that alcohol in combination with medication has completely different effects on different people. For some, this mixture enhances the therapeutic effect of the drug, for some, on the contrary, it significantly weakens it. There are cases when such a combination completely changed the effect of the drug.
However, many experts remain adamant on this issue: under no circumstances should you mix alcohol with medications. They explain their position by the negative pathological effect of both substances on the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines, often leading to peptic ulcers and gastritis.
In addition, under the influence of alcohol, the effect of the drug can be unpredictable. With this interaction, it is possible to get serious complications from the current disease, or to acquire new diseases due to the suppression of the immune system by alcohol.
Tamoxifen is a hormonal drug, which means that all the rules regarding the use of alcohol with medications that affect the hormonal balance in the body can be applied to it. The simultaneous use of such drugs and ethanol has an aggressive effect on the endocrine system, adrenal glands and pancreas, causing them to work for wear. In turn, this leads to an excess of sperm production, an increase in the level of adrenaline, aldosterone and cortisol, which critically affects the internal organs and systems of a person.
Increased hormonal levels place a greater burden on the liver, as such substances are metabolized in this organ. It should be taken into account that it is already overloaded under the influence of ethyl alcohol, that is, the liver will not be able to fully cope with its duties. The result will be its gradual destruction, replacement of hepatocytes with connective tissue, leading to acute hepatitis and cirrhosis.
Drinking alcohol while undergoing treatment with medications significantly increases the side effects of the latter. In addition, taking Tamoxifen at the initial stage is often accompanied by reactions similar to intoxication of the body during a hangover syndrome: wild headaches, nausea, vomiting, disorientation in time and space, severe chills. If a real hangover syndrome is added to such conditions, the person will feel doubly enhanced negative consequences.
Tamoxifen enhances the effect of anticoagulants, which effectively prevent thrombosis and slow down blood clotting processes. Alcohol also has the ability to thin the blood and dilate blood vessels. Thus, their combined tandem will lead to various diseases of the hematopoietic system, and for people suffering from blood diseases it is generally categorically contraindicated.
Men treated with such a drug may encounter unpleasant symptoms in the form of malfunctions of the gonads, atrophy of the genital organs and inability of the reproductive function. Under the influence of alcoholic beverages, this will result in loss of sexual desire, erectile dysfunction and impotence. In addition, it should be recalled that with daily consumption of large doses of alcohol, significant hormonal disturbances occur in the male body and the production of testosterone practically ceases, and in some situations it turns into the female sex hormone. Therefore, it is worth knowing that a passion for alcoholic beverages will undoubtedly lead to infertility, and no medications will help in this condition.
Pharmacokinetics
Tamoxifen citrate is characterized by high absorption. The maximum amount of the substance in the blood plasma is observed 4-7 hours after taking the tablet. After 4 weeks, its stable plasma concentration is noted (if you drink 40 mg of Tamoxifen per day). 99% of the drug is bound to plasma proteins.
Metabolism of the main active substance occurs in the liver. The main part of the resulting metabolites is excreted in the feces. Only a small percentage is eliminated from the body in urine.
Removal of metabolites is carried out in 2 stages. The first lasts 7-14 hours. The second (slower) – 7 hours.
Compatibility
It is not recommended to combine Tamoxifen with cytostatics, as this increases the likelihood of blood clots. When used simultaneously with antacids and histamine H2 receptor blockers, the pH level in the gastrointestinal tract increases. Hormonal drugs in combination with Tamoxifen lead to a weakening of the effects of both medications.
According to doctors, it is strictly forbidden to combine the drug with alcohol, alcohol-containing drinks and medications. This leads to increased load on the liver, risk of poisoning and reduced effectiveness of the medication.
How does Tamoxifen affect testosterone levels?
The main male hormone, testosterone, is produced in the testicles, adrenal glands, liver and partly in subcutaneous fat from cholesterol. Receptors for active forms of testosterone are found in almost all organs. This is due to the enormous influence of the hormone on the functioning of the main systems of the body.
Among the physiological actions of this steroid are the following:
- development and growth of muscle mass;
- differentiation of secondary sexual characteristics;
- stimulation of the endocrine glands;
- maintaining optimal bone density;
- participation in erythropoiesis (formation of red blood cells);
- inhibition of the production of gonadoliberins (substances that stimulate the formation of sex hormones);
- influence on sexual behavior, libido, spermatogenesis.
Men, like women, produce estrogen. It is a testosterone antagonist. These two hormones are in balance thanks to the hypothalamic-pituitary system, which works on a feedback principle. The drug Tamoxifen binds to estrogen receptors in target organs and blocks them.
As a result, the concentration of testosterone in the blood increases several times.
Tamoxifen is widely used in bodybuilding. Athletes use anabolic drugs to increase muscle mass, strength and endurance. They disrupt hormonal balance with long-term use. And estradiol antagonists (Tamoxifen is one of them) change hormonal levels and increase the synthesis of testosterone, which is significantly reduced during a course of anabolic steroids.
pharmachologic effect
The drug has a preventive effect on the bone tissue of the skeleton, making it stronger . This is especially true for older women who are at risk of acquiring osteoporosis.
In addition, the drug is an effective remedy in the fight against cholesterol.
Ask your question to a neurologist for free Irina Martynova. Graduated from Voronezh State Medical University named after. N.N. Burdenko. Clinical resident and neurologist BUZ VO \"Moscow Polyclinic\".Ask a question>>
Price
Tamoxifen can be purchased in any city in the country. It is available in many pharmacies. According to the instructions, the drug must be dispensed with a prescription. Since this medicine is included in the list of vital drugs, it can be purchased free of charge, but this requires the appropriate documents.
Many patients do not want to waste time preparing them and purchase Tamoxifen for money. Prices for the medicine vary, depending on the manufacturer and the number of pills in the package. For example, a Russian drug (100 tablets of 20 mg) in Moscow costs 520 rubles, and a similar German and Austrian drug costs 3,900 rubles.
Who releases
In pharmacies you can see different packaging and names of the medicine we are considering. Many patients do not know which Tamoxifen to buy. There are many manufacturers of the drug. In India it is Shreya Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., in Russia it is CJSC Severnaya Zvezda, and CJSC Pharmaceutical Enterprise Obolenskoye.
There are many synonyms for Tamoxifen. Their composition may differ only in some additional components that provide one or another form of the drug. However, the active substance in them is the same, so the therapeutic effect is identical. Manufacturers:
- In the UK - Zeneca. The medicine is called Nolvadex.
- In Finland - Orion Corporation. The medication is Tamoxifen Ebewe.
- In Germany - Hexal Ag. The medication is Tamoxifen Hexal.
- In Hungary - EGIS Pharmaceuticals. The medicine is called Zitazonium.
- In Austria - Ebewe Pharma Ges.mbH Nfg. KG. The name of the medicine for this (same as the Finnish drug).
Composition and properties
The manufacturer indicates that the main active component of the drug against breast cancer (BC) and other diseases is tamoxifen citrate. The original drug is produced in tablet form, with one tablet containing 30, 20 or 10 mg of the active substance. To enhance the non-steroidal anti-estrogenic effect, the composition of the drug "Tamoxifen" includes excipients, such as:
- cellulose;
- sodium stearate;
- purified water;
- sodium starch;
- lactose;
- povidone.
Manufacturers produce Tamoxifen tablets in a cardboard box, which contains instructions for use. The pharmaceutical agent acts on cancer cells, stopping their spread. Soon the active component leads to the death of cancer cells. Thanks to the drug, it is also possible to reduce the symptoms of cancer.
Analogue drugs. Their price
The drug is manufactured by pharmacological companies in Russia, Ukraine, India, Finland, as well as Hungary, the Czech Republic, Germany, England and others. In Russia, the most commonly prescribed drugs are Tamoxifen Hexal and Vero Tamoxifen. The instructions for use indicate that these tablets are absolutely identical in composition, even the excipients are the same. Therefore, the effectiveness of the antitumor effect does not differ from the effects of conventional Tamoxifen.
And if the cost of Tamoxifen produced in Finland is 80-90 Russian rubles, then Vero Tamoxifen, which is produced by Russia, has a lower price: 30 tablets of 10 mg can be bought for 60 Russian rubles.
The German company produces Tamoxifen Hexal. The instructions for use inform that the medicine is taken in the same regimen as Tamoxifen. The cost of the drug is 80-90 Russian rubles.
Analogues of Tamoxifen are Bilem, Cemid, Nolvadex, Onkotam, Cytosonium, Moxifen, etc. All these drugs have the same active ingredient as Tamoxifen. Instructions for use (analogs of the drug have the same) informs that the quality does not depend on the name, and the use of the drugs is the same. Accordingly, both the dosage and duration of administration do not change.
Flaws
Neglecting a medical examination before starting to take the drug is fraught with natural consequences.
The extensive list of serious side effects is usually not harmful to a physically healthy person, but can negatively affect the functioning of vital organs for everyone else.
The disadvantages include the speed of action of Tamoxifen on the body - the drug functions slowly, especially in the first stages of therapy.
Sports industry experts strongly recommend combining Tamoxifen with Proviron, which has fat-burning properties. Another important drawback of the drug becomes obvious - Tamoxifen alone can lead to excess weight gain.
Tamoxifen for gynecomastia in men
Tamoxifen is available in the form of tablets for oral administration, which may contain varying amounts of the active ingredient. The drug itself belongs to the group of antitumor drugs that suppress the production of the hormone estrogen .
Estrogen is a classically female hormone, but is also present in small quantities in the male body. Excess of it can appear in bodybuilders due to hormonal imbalance caused by steroid therapy.
Treatment of gynecomastia with Tamoxifen occurs through the process of leveling the effect of estrogen hormones, which prevents the development of the disease in men.
The appearance of gynecomastia can also be facilitated by the patient's advanced age, in which the normal ratio between male and female hormones is disrupted.
Important : the cause of gynecomastia does not matter. This can occur during adolescence, aging, or after a course of anabolic steroids. In any case, gynecomastia causes physical and psychological discomfort to a man and requires treatment.
Interaction
In modern medicine, complex treatment is most often prescribed to combat the disease. However, the simultaneous use of Tamoxifen is not possible with all drugs due to the occurrence of unwanted side effects. So, its combined use with:
- estrogen in breast cancer leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of Tamoxifen;
- Rifampicin reduces the concentration of the drug in the blood;
- anticoagulants enhance the effect of the drug;
- cytostatic drugs may increase the risk of blood clots;
- With aminoglutethimide, the concentration of the active substance of the drug decreases;
- Mitomycin may develop hemolytic-uremic syndrome;
- Warfarin may develop a clinical picture in the form of hematoma and other unpleasant consequences;
- Atracurium increases muscle blockade.
The effectiveness of the pill can also be reduced by the following medications:
- Quinidine;
- Bupropion;
- Paroxetine;
- Tsinacaltset;
- Fluoxetine.
The most similar drugs in the treatment of breast cancer include Fareston and Faslodex. Structural analogues include:
- Tamoxifen - Ebewe;
- Vero – Tamoxifen;
- Tamoxifen – Lachema;
- Tamoxifen - Hexal;
- Tamoxifen - Ferein.
Most often, Tamoxifen is replaced with Fareston, which is a non-steroidal drug directed against breast tumors. The main active ingredient is toremifene.
The medication has the following qualities in comparison with Tamoxifen:
- the medicine is more stable due to the presence of a chlorine atom;
- no oncogenic effect;
- stimulates apoptosis;
- works for ER-negative tumors.
Studies have shown that taking Fareston, unlike Tamoxifen, gives the following positive effects:
- hormonal homeostasis changes more productively;
- in terms of cancer risk, the changes are not so dangerous;
- side effects occur much less frequently.
A specialist should advise which drug to choose; self-medication in this case can result in irreversible harm to the body, so you should not experiment. All medications must be taken under the strict supervision of a physician.
Potentiates the effects of indirect anticoagulants. In this regard, it is necessary to carefully monitor the patient's condition in order to adjust the dose of anticoagulants if necessary.
Reduces the concentration of letrozole in the blood serum by more than a third (37%).
Cytotoxic drugs increase the risk of blood clots.
In combination with tegafur, it can provoke liver cirrhosis and active chronic hepatitis. When used simultaneously with medications that contain estrogens (in particular, estrogen-containing contraceptives), the specific effect of both drugs is weakened.
Drugs that reduce Ca2 excretion (including thiazide diuretics) increase the likelihood of developing hypercalcemia.
Simultaneous use with bromocriptine increases the concentration of Tamoxifen in the blood serum.
Drugs that reduce gastric acidity, including but not limited to antacids and H2-antihistamines, may cause premature dissolution and loss of the protective effect of the tablet's enteric coating. In this regard, an interval of at least 1-2 hours should be maintained between taking Tamoxifen and these medications.
Positive aspects of taking the drug
Despite all the contraindications and side effects of Tamoxifen described above, with a competent approach to taking it, it can bring significant benefits to athletes. If before use, all the necessary health examinations have been carried out and the correct dosage has been selected by a specialist, taking the drug will lead to the following achievements:
- increase in strength indicators;
- increase in muscle definition and mass;
- reduction of body fat;
- reducing the risk and preventing cardiovascular diseases due to the increase in healthy high-density cholesterol;
- improvement of liver function due to the suppression of estrogen in this organ;
- Helping the body produce testosterone.
Thus, Tamoxifen not only blocks the action of female hormones in men, but also has a number of properties that are a pleasant bonus for athletes. In addition, of the entire existing line of antiestrogenic drugs, Tamoxifen is considered the safest.
Tamoxifen tablets for men
The use of anabolic steroids is a common practice of bodybuilders seeking to achieve the desired physical shape as quickly as possible. The composition of most steroid drugs is dominated by a fair amount of aromatizing components, as a result of which the amount of estrogen in the human blood increases. Signs of feminization may occur, a process characterized by the following phenomena:
- changes in voice timbre in men;
- enlargement of the mammary glands (gynecomastia);
- excessive female-pattern hair growth;
- distribution of subcutaneous fat, unusual for a man.
Tamoxifen is able to prevent the negative effects of steroids due to the antiestrogenic effects of the components. It does not transform testosterone into estrogens, as is commonly mistakenly thought, but only blocks estrogen receptors in body tissues. The drug does not interfere with the aromatization process, which is especially valuable for athletes and bodybuilders in particular.