tamoxifen

[tuh-mok-suh-fuhn, ‑-fen]

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

/ 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

tamoxifen

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tamoxifen¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tamoxifen¹

C20: altered from _t ( _rans- ) + _am ( _ine ) + _oxy- ² + _phen ( _ol )

Example Sentences

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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