Related pages Drug Information Summaries 1 Approval Process for New Cancer Treatments 2 Access to Investigational Drugs 3

This page contains brief information about tamoxifen citrate and a collection of links to more information about the use of this drug, related news and research results, and ongoing clinical trials.

US Brand Name(s):		Nolvadex
FDA Approved:		Yes

Tamoxifen citrate is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat breast cancer in women and men. Tamoxifen is also approved to decrease the chance of developing breast cancer in women who are at high risk for this disease.

Tamoxifen citrate is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary ⁴ - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

Clinical Trial Results: Zoledronic Acid Improves Early Breast Cancer Treatment (06/19/2008) ⁵ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Anastrozole, Tamoxifen, and Bone Loss on the ATAC (Arimidex, Tamoxifen Alone or in Combination) Trial (03/26/2008) ⁶ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Studies Affirm Tamoxifen's Long-Term Preventive Benefit (03/07/2007) ⁷ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Advanced Breast Cancer Patients Benefit More from Aromatase Inhibitors than Tamoxifen (10/10/06) ⁸ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Nonhormonal Therapies Have Little Effect on Hot Flashes (05/10/2006) ⁹ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Letrozole More Effective Than Tamoxifen in Early Breast Cancer - Results from the BIG 1-98 Trial (01/17/2006) ¹⁰ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Anastrozole After Tamoxifen Better for Early Breast Cancer than Tamoxifen Alone (08/30/2005) ¹¹ - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Anastrozole May Be Better than Tamoxifen at Shrinking Large Breast Tumors Before Surgery (08/30/2005) ¹² - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Results of the Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR) Released: Osteoporosis Drug Raloxifene Shown to be as Effective as Tamoxifen in Preventing Invasive Breast Cancer (04/17/2006) ¹³ - Information from the NCI Press Office about this drug.

Benefits and Risks of Tamoxifen are Similar in African American and White Women (11/30/2004) ¹⁴ - Information from the NCI Press Office about this drug.

Breast Cancer Prevention Studies (07/23/2008) ¹⁵ - Information about the use of this drug to treat cancer.

Tamoxifen: Questions and Answers (05/13/2002) ¹⁶ - Information about the use of this drug to treat cancer.

MedlinePlus Information on Tamoxifen Citrate ¹⁷ - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:

• warnings about this drug,
• what this drug is used for and how it is used,
• what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
• what you should know about this drug before using it,
• other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
• possible side effects.

Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This NLM patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.

Clinical Trials for Tamoxifen Citrate ¹⁸ - Check for trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry now accepting patients.

Glossary Terms

Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

An agency in the U.S. federal government whose mission is to protect public health by making sure that food, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements are safe to use and truthfully labeled. The Food and Drug Administration also makes sure that drugs, medical devices, and equipment are safe and effective, and that blood for transfusions and transplant tissue are safe. Also called FDA.