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.

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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

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tamoxifen Scientific  

/ tə-mŏk′sə-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.

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Etymology

Origin of tamoxifen

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

Example Sentences

When a person swallows a tamoxifen pill, it passes through their stomach and into their intestines, where it is absorbed into the bloodstream.

From Science Daily • Nov. 25, 2024

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 • Oct. 17, 2022

They have developed medications that extend lives, such as Herceptin and tamoxifen for breast cancer and Gleevec for leukemias and other cancers.

From Scientific American • Aug. 4, 2019

She has been cancer-free since stopping tamoxifen in 2012, she said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2018

In breast cancer, for example, “if you can’t do a mastectomy or use tamoxifen, you probably shouldn’t even try to treat,” he said.

From New York Times • Oct. 7, 2017