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Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate) - Summary

 



BOXED WARNING

For Women with Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) and Women at High Risk for Breast Cancer: Serious and life-threatening events associated with NOLVADEX in the risk reduction setting (women at high risk for cancer and women with DCIS) include uterine malignancies, stroke and pulmonary embolism. Incidence rates for these events were estimated from the NSABP P-1 trial (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY-Clinical Studies − Reduction in Breast Cancer Incidence In High Risk Women). Uterine malignancies consist of both endometrial adenocarcinoma (incidence rate per 1,000 women-years of 2.20 for NOLVADEX vs 0.71 for placebo) and uterine sarcoma (incidence rate per 1,000 women-years of 0.17 for NOLVADEX vs 0.04 for placebo)*. For stroke, the incidence rate per 1,000 women-years was 1.43 for NOLVADEX vs 1.00 for placebo**. For pulmonary embolism, the incidence rate per 1,000 women-years was 0.75 for NOLVADEX versus 0.25 for placebo**.

Some of the strokes, pulmonary emboli, and uterine malignancies were fatal.

Health care providers should discuss the potential benefits versus the potential risks of these serious events with women at high risk of breast cancer and women with DCIS considering NOLVADEX to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer.

The benefits of NOLVADEX outweigh its risks in women already diagnosed with breast cancer.

*Updated long-term follow-up data (median length of follow-up is 6.9 years) from NSABP P-1 study. See WARNINGS: Effects on the Uterus-Endometrial Cancer and Uterine Sarcoma.

**See Table 3 under CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY-Clinical Studies

 

NOLVADEX SUMMARY

NOLVADEX
(Tamoxifen Citrate)
TABLETS

NOLVADEX® (tamoxifen citrate) Tablets, a nonsteroidal antiestrogen, are for oral administration. NOLVADEX Tablets are available as.

NOLVADEX® is indicated for the following:

Metastatic Breast Cancer:

NOLVADEX is effective in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in women and men. In premenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer, NOLVADEX is an alternative to oophorectomy or ovarian irradiation. Available evidence indicates that patients whose tumors are estrogen receptor positive are more likely to benefit from NOLVADEX therapy.

Adjuvant Treatment of Breast Cancer:

NOLVADEX is indicated for the treatment of node-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women following total mastectomy or segmental mastectomy, axillary dissection, and breast irradiation. In some NOLVADEX adjuvant studies, most of the benefit to date has been in the subgroup with four or more positive axillary nodes.

NOLVADEX is indicated for the treatment of axillary node-negative breast cancer in women following total mastectomy or segmental mastectomy, axillary dissection, and breast irradiation.

The estrogen and progesterone receptor values may help to predict whether adjuvant NOLVADEX therapy is likely to be beneficial.

NOLVADEX reduces the occurrence of contralateral breast cancer in patients receiving adjuvant NOLVADEX therapy for breast cancer.

Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS):

In women with DCIS, following breast surgery and radiation, NOLVADEX is indicated to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer (see BOXED WARNING at the beginning of the label). The decision regarding therapy with NOLVADEX for the reduction in breast cancer incidence should be based upon an individual assessment of the benefits and risks of NOLVADEX therapy.

Current data from clinical trials support five years of adjuvant NOLVADEX therapy for patients with breast cancer.

Reduction in Breast Cancer Incidence in High Risk Women:

NOLVADEX is indicated to reduce the incidence of breast cancer in women at high risk for breast cancer. This effect was shown in a study of 5 years planned duration with a median follow-up of 4.2 years. Twenty-five percent of the participants received drug for 5 years. The longer-term effects are not known. In this study, there was no impact of tamoxifen on overall or breast cancer-related mortality (see BOXED WARNING at the beginning of the label).

NOLVADEX is indicated only for high-risk women. “High risk” is defined as women at least 35 years of age with a 5-year predicted risk of breast cancer ≥ 1.67%, as calculated by the Gail Model.

Examples of combinations of factors predicting a 5-year risk ≥ 1.67% are:

Age 35 or older and any of the following combination of factors:

•One first degree relative with a history of breast cancer, 2 or more benign biopsies, and a history of a breast biopsy showing atypical hyperplasia; or

•At least 2 first degree relatives with a history of breast cancer, and a personal history of at least one breast biopsy; or

•LCIS

Age 40 or older and any of the following combination of factors:

•One first degree relative with a history of breast cancer, 2 or more benign biopsies, age at first live birth 25 or older, and age at menarche 11 or younger; or

•At least 2 first degree relatives with a history of breast cancer, and age at first live birth 19 or younger; or

•One first degree relative with a history of breast cancer, and a personal history of a breast biopsy showing atypical hyperplasia.

Age 45 or older and any of the following combination of factors:

•At least 2 first degree relatives with a history of breast cancer and age at first live birth 24 or younger; or

•One first degree relative with a history of breast cancer with a personal history of a benign breast biopsy, age at menarche 11 or less and age at first live birth 20 or more.

Age 50 or older and any of the following combination of factors:

•At least 2 first degree relatives with a history of breast cancer; or

•History of one breast biopsy showing atypical hyperplasia, and age at first live birth 30 or older and age at menarche 11 or less; or

•History of at least two breast biopsies with a history of atypical hyperplasia, and age at first live birth 30 or more.

Age 55 or older and any of the following combination of factors:

•One first degree relative with a history of breast cancer with a personal history of a benign breast biopsy, and age at menarche 11 or less; or

•History of at least 2 breast biopsies with a history of atypical hyperplasia, and age at first live birth 20 or older.

Age 60 or older and:

•5-year predicted risk of breast cancer ≥ 1.67%, as calculated by the Gail Model.

For women whose risk factors are not described in the above examples, the Gail Model is necessary to estimate absolute breast cancer risk. Health Care Professionals can obtain a Gail Model Risk Assessment Tool by dialing 1-800-544-2007.

There are insufficient data available regarding the effect of NOLVADEX on breast cancer incidence in women with inherited mutations (BRCA1, BRCA2) to be able to make specific recommendations on the effectiveness of NOLVADEX in these patients.

After an assessment of the risk of developing breast cancer, the decision regarding therapy with NOLVADEX for the reduction in breast cancer incidence should be based upon an individual assessment of the benefits and risks of NOLVADEX therapy. In the NSABP P-1 trial, NOLVADEX treatment lowered the risk of developing breast cancer during the follow-up period of the trial, but did not eliminate breast cancer risk (See Table 3 in CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY).


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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Media Articles Related to Nolvadex (Tamoxifen)

Side Effects May Spur Men to Drop Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer
Source: MedicineNet tamoxifen Specialty [2011.11.16]
Title: Side Effects May Spur Men to Drop Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer
Category: Health News
Created: 11/16/2011 10:05:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 11/16/2011 12:00:00 AM

Femara May Beat Tamoxifen at Preventing Breast Cancer's Return
Source: MedicineNet Uterine Cancer Specialty [2011.10.21]
Title: Femara May Beat Tamoxifen at Preventing Breast Cancer's Return
Category: Health News
Created: 10/21/2011 10:05:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 10/21/2011 12:00:00 AM

Tamoxifen May Cut Lung Cancer Deaths
Source: MedicineNet estradiol Specialty [2011.01.25]
Title: Tamoxifen May Cut Lung Cancer Deaths
Category: Health News
Created: 1/25/2011 11:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 1/25/2011 12:00:00 AM

Tamoxifen for breast cancer prevention of little benefit
Source: The Doctors Lounge - Oncology
Only women at very high risk for breast cancer experience a benefit according to a study published in the journal Cancer.

Malignancy And Resistance Of Breast Cancer Cells Controlled By MicroRNA
Source: Breast Cancer News From Medical News Today [2012.05.08]
Many breast cancer patients are treated with a drug called tamoxifen. The substance blocks the effect of estrogen and thus suppresses the growth signals of this hormone in cancer cells. When resistance to the drug develops, tumor cells change their growth program: They change their behavior and shape, become more mobile and also adopt the ability to invade surrounding tissue...

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Published Studies Related to Nolvadex (Tamoxifen)

Clomiphene citrate versus tamoxifen for ovulation induction in women with PCOS: a prospective randomized trial. [2011.11]
OBJECTIVE: To reevaluate the efficacy of induction of ovulation with CC versus TMX in a group of anovulatory subfertile women with PCOS in a randomized controlled trial... CONCLUSIONS: Clomiphene citrate is more successful than tamoxifen as a first line therapy for ovulation induction in women with PCOS. Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Letrozole vs. tamoxifen as neoadjuvant therapy for postmenopausal patients with hormone-dependent locally-advanced breast cancer]. [2011.09]
BACKGROUND: Previous studies demonstrated that Letrozole (aromatase inhibitor) and tamoxifen (selective modulator of estrogen receptors) are effective in the treatment of postmenopausal women with locally advanced tumors, stage III and hormone dependent. OBJECTIVE: To present display the complete clinical answer incidence and the complete pathological answer with the use of induction hormonotherapy... CONCLUSIONS: Results although preliminary, suggest that neoadyuvant treatment with hormone-therapy in postmenopausal patients with breast cancer, have good prognosis. Induction therapy, were better tolerated, with greater effectiveness and improved the clinical and objective respond in women with breast cancer in the postmenopausal. Work serves as tool to determine the indication to us of induction hormonotherapy; and identify to those patients with breast cancer, locally advanced in post menopause with better prognosis to be rescued with radical mastectomy. Study needs more background and show the impact of letrozol, as hormonotherapy used in neoadjuvancy, to confirm if relieves period without disease or survives, before mastectomy. In a near future, it shall important to investigate if is useful the radical mastectomy in those postmenopausal patients with complete objective respond, after the use of an aromatase inhibitor.

Cost-effectiveness of chemoprevention of breast cancer using tamoxifen in a postmenopausal US population. [2011.08.01]
BACKGROUND: Previous cost-effectiveness analyses of tamoxifen therapy account for breast cancer risk reduction during active treatment but not for its persistent protective effect after active treatment... CONCLUSIONS: The current results indicated that tamoxifen chemoprophylaxis for postmenopausal women aged <55 years is a cost-effective health policy that reduces breast cancer incidence and improves life expectancy. Focusing on a postmenopausal population aged <55 years minimized the threat of adverse events associated with tamoxifen. Copyright (c) 2011 American Cancer Society.

Prednisone versus tamoxifen in patients with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis: an open-label randomised controlled trial. [2011.07.23]
BACKGROUND: Glucocorticoids are the mainstay of treatment of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis, but they often have substantial toxic effects. Several reports have suggested tamoxifen as an alternative to glucocorticoids. We compared the efficacy of prednisone with that of tamoxifen in maintainance of remission in patients with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis... INTERPRETATION: Prednisone is more effective in prevention of relapses than is tamoxifen in patients with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis. Therefore, prednisone should be considered as first-line treatment for patients with newly diagnosed idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis. FUNDING: Parma University Hospital. Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A randomised trial of mastectomy only versus tamoxifen for treating elderly patients with operable primary breast cancer-final results at 20-year follow-up. [2011.06]
A recent Cochrane review of trials involving elderly women with operable primary breast cancer showed no significant difference in overall survival between surgery (+/-adjuvant tamoxifen) and primary endocrine therapy using tamoxifen. We report the final results of a randomised pilot trial comparing primary tamoxifen and wedge mastectomy as initial treatment in this population...

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Clinical Trials Related to Nolvadex (Tamoxifen)

Phase II Metastatic ER+/PgR+ Nolvadex +/- Iressa Study [Completed]
This study is being carried out to see if ZD1839 is effective in treating metastatic breast cancer in combination with Nolvadex, and if so, how it compares with Nolvadex alone.

ITA - Clinical Study Comparing ARIMIDEXâ„¢ With NOLVADEXâ„¢ in Women With Breast Cancer Treated With NOLVADEX for at Least 2 Years [Active, not recruiting]
The purpose of this study was to assess the difference in disease-free survival between post-menopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer who switched from tamoxifen to anastrozole and those who continued on tamoxifen.

Casodex - Nolvadex Combination [Completed]
This study looks at the relationship in the dose of nolvadex and the incidence of gynaecomastia and also Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) inhibition when co-administered with Casodex. The aim of the study is to assess the optimal dose of nolvadex which will reduce the breast tissue adverse effects without reducing the efficacy of Casodex.

Effectiveness of Combination of Arimidex and Nolvadex in Adjuvant Therapy of Breast Carcinoma in Postmenopausal Women. [Active, not recruiting]
The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy and tolerability of 3 years treatment with anastrozole after a prior 2 years' treatment with tamoxifen versus 5 years treatment with tamoxifen in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer

PharmacoKINEtics of TAMoxifen and Its Metabolites in Breast Cancer Patients: the Influence of a Dose Increase in Phenotypic Poor Metabolizers of CYP2D6 (KINETAM) [Recruiting]
All women on tamoxifen receive the standard dose of 20mg QD, irrespective of the use of potential CYP2D6 inhibitors, and are not tested for CYP2D6 polymorphisms prior to start of tamoxifen treatment. However CYP2D6 polymorphisms and/or the use of CYP2D6 inhibitors as co-medication may influence the treatment outcome of tamoxifen.

The investigators propose a prospective study in women taking tamoxifen at a dose of 20mg QD. In each woman, information will be collected on endoxifen levels, CYP2D6 status, adherence and use of co-medication. In women who are phenotypically poor metabolizers of tamoxifen, a dose increase to 40mg QD will be applied and the effect of this intervention on tamoxifen pharmacokinetics will be evaluated after 4 weeks.

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PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Based on a total of 4 ratings/reviews, Nolvadex has an overall score of 6.25. The effectiveness score is 8 and the side effect score is 6. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst. Below are selected reviews: the highest, the median and the lowest rated.
 

Nolvadex review by 53 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Breast Cancer
Dosage & duration:   1 TAB 20mg taken everyday for the period of must take 5 years
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   The objective of Tamoxifen is to work against the effects of estrogen on cancer cells. As a treatment for breast cancer, the drug is supposed to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells that are present in the body. I am praying that this is fulfilling its purpose but only in 3rd month of taking it so who knows.
Side effects:   Main side effect : vaginal discharge, slight weight gain (water retention I hope) and heartburn.
Comments:   I have to take Tamoxifen for 5 years.

 

Nolvadex review by 49 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   breast cancer
Dosage & duration:   20mg taken daily for the period of 3 months so far, but for next 5 years
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   herceptin
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   prevention of recurrence of estrogen positive tumours
Side effects:   severe menopause symptoms - hot flashes, cold sweats causing disturbed sleep and insomnia. symptoms seen to be worse after herceptin and the most distressing is the inability to get warm. I have also developed a discharge that is not pleasant but not too terrible and a change in the smell of my body odour. My skin also seems thinner.
Comments:   take 1 pill daily

 

Nolvadex review by 49 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   breast cancer
Dosage & duration:   20mg taken daily for the period of 3 months so far, but for next 5 years
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   herceptin
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   prevention of recurrence of estrogen positive tumours
Side effects:   severe menopause symptoms - hot flashes, cold sweats causing disturbed sleep and insomnia. symptoms seen to be worse after herceptin and the most distressing is the inability to get warm. I have also developed a discharge that is not pleasant but not too terrible and a change in the smell of my body odour. My skin also seems thinner.
Comments:   take 1 pill daily

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Page last updated: 2012-05-08

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