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tamoxifen

American  
[tuh-mok-suh-fuhn, ‑-fen] / təˈmɒk sə fən, ‑ˌfɛn /

noun

Pharmacology.
  1. an antineoplastic drug, C 26 H 29 NO, that blocks the estrogen receptors on cancer cells, used in the treatment of breast cancer.


tamoxifen British  
/ təˈmɒksɪfɛn /

noun

  1. a drug that antagonizes the action of oestrogen and is used to treat breast cancer and some types of infertility in women

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

tamoxifen Scientific  
/ tə-mŏksə-fĕn /
  1. An estrogen antagonist drug used to treat advanced breast cancer in women whose tumors are estrogen-dependent and to prevent breast cancer in some women who are at high risk.


Etymology

Origin of tamoxifen

1970–75; perhaps t(rans)- + am(ino)- + oxy- 2 + phen(yl), with respelling of y and ph

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At the moment, risk-reduction options are limited and can include drugs such as tamoxifen that lower risk but may have unwanted side effects.

From Science Daily

In patients with hormone-sensitive breast cancer tumour growth is mainly driven by oestrogen and patients are therefore treated with oestrogen-suppressing drugs, often tamoxifen.

From Science Daily

A new study has shown that variation in the microbiota of the human gut impacts the pharmacokinetics of tamoxifen and thus the effectiveness of the drug.

From Science Daily

For example, for breast cancer survivors taking long-term estrogen inhibitor medications, such as tamoxifen, certain supplements may interfere with the metabolism of the estrogen inhibitor, potentially making it less effective.

From Washington Post

Following her treatment, Brown suffered from fatigue and brain fog on the tamoxifen she took for years to prevent cancer recurrence.

From Washington Post