Non-steroidal antineoplastic agents that actively influence the pathological cells of a cancerous tumor and stop their active reproduction are offered today in a wide range of products.
And among the analogues that have a high degree of efficiency and easy to use, we should separately consider the preparation Tamoxifen, which is noted by both doctors and buyers for the availability of cost, a relatively small number of adverse events in admission and high efficiency.
With a small amount of side effects on admission, Tamoxifen at the same time quickly acts on the body, stopping the growth of the tumor, having an anti-inflammatory effect and coping well with the symptoms of the disease.
Its use is simple, and in complex therapy the drug has an even greater impact effect.
The drug is most convenient for admission: it is administered by a doctor after diagnosis, it is possible to prescribe in a complex therapy with a supporting effect.
Form
The drug is available in the form of tablets, which are offered in white.
With a biconvex form, tablets of Tamoxifen are coated with a membrane that dissolves rapidly under the influence of gastric juice, which in turn promotes faster exposure to the body.
Picture( picture) of the drug Tamoxifen 20 mg
Today there are three versions of the drug in question: tablets with different levels of active substance.
The following are the varieties of these tablets:
- tablets with active ingredient content( tamoxifen citrate) 10 mg;
- tablets containing tamoxifen citrate 20 mg;
- tablets with 40 mg tamoxifen citrate.
Tablets of the drug Tamoxifen are used exclusively orally, after intake they should be washed down with water.
Composition of
High efficacy of the drug even in advanced stages of the disease is due to its maximally balanced composition.
The following substances should be classified as auxiliary substances of the preparation:
- cellulose;
- sodium stearate;
- purified water;
- sodium starch;
- lactose;
- Povidone.
The shell of each tablet is quickly absorbed, dissolving under the influence of gastric juice, which determines the effectiveness of the drug for the first time after administration.
As a part of the tablet shell there are substances: hypromellose, lactose, titanium dioxide, propylene glycol, natural dye.
Packing
The tablets are placed in a polymer circuit in 10 pieces each, the package is a cardboard box, one of the side surfaces of which has the most important information about the product: its full and international name, composition, manufacturer and expiry date.
Also in the package there is a detailed instruction on the peculiarities of using Tamoxifen. The package contains 10, as well as 30 and 50 tablets.
Manufacturers
Today in pharmacies are offered for sale versions of the drug Tamoxifen Ukrainian producer, as well as the manufacturer of Austria.
Both variants of the drug have proven themselves, with the reception there is a rapid improvement in the patient's condition.
The number of side effects depends on the patient's condition, current stage of the disease and the degree of effectiveness of the drug taken. However, both analogues are excellent for the treatment of neoplastic diseases and can be prescribed by the attending physician.
Indications for use
Tamoxifen may be used if there is a tumor that occurs in any part of the body. At the same time, the degree of efficacy is equally high in different stages of the disease, but the fastest recovery is noted in its diagnosis at earlier stages.
The most effective drug Tamoxifen showed when it was prescribed for the following conditions and diseases:
- with melanoma;
- for prostate cancer;
- for cancers in the uterus and ovaries in women;
- for tumor processes of the kidneys, bones, chest.
Because of the most obvious manifestations when using this drug to treat female sexual dysfunction with cancer, the drug is often prescribed in complex treatment for women.
This antitumor agent also proved to be very effective in the therapeutic treatment of nodal formation in any soft tissue and as an effective prevention of cancer.
Contraindications
However, there are a number of contraindications that prevent the occurrence of a large number of adverse events and that need to be considered when determining treatment.
Contraindications to the use of Tamoxifen include:
- deficiency in kidney and liver function;
- leukopenia;
- presence of increased sensitivity of the patient to any component of the drug;
- any inflammatory disease in the acute stage;
- cataract;
- varicose veins;
- during the period of bearing of the child;
- when breastfeeding a newborn;
- children under 18 years of age are also often considered a contraindication to the use of this drug.
Tamoxifen treatment requires increased caution when used in the presence of any disease of the brain and hematopoietic system, with the concurrent administration of hormone-containing drugs.
Mechanism of action
Tamoxifen, with its pronounced antitumor effect, is most often prescribed with advanced pathological processes in the genital area, but its high efficacy is manifested when treating tumors in any part of the human body.
The active substance of the drug has a retarding effect on cancer cells, stopping their activity and gradually stopping life.
Within a short time since the beginning of the application of this drug, there has been a significant shutdown of the processes caused by estrogen, cancer cells are less actively multiplying and do not have such a negative impact on healthy cells.
Quickly absorbed into the body, the drug reduces all the symptoms of the underlying disease and is often prescribed as a prophylactic agent for the formation of tumors of any nature.
Instructions for Use Tamoxifen
The drug is used only as directed by a doctor, it can be used in a combination therapy, both curative and preventive.
The main rules for taking this medication are as follows:
- For the first week of use, Tamoxifen is used in an amount of 20 mg twice daily. In the absence of severe negative manifestations, the dose of the drug is then increased to 40 mg twice a day. After a week of such a dose, in the absence of any negative manifestations, you can start taking the drug in an amount of 40 mg three times a day.
- Duration of the drug may vary depending on the degree of neglect of the pathological process and the presence of a positive result from the treatment. Usually it is 1-3 months of continuous reception.
- To increase the effectiveness of treatment together, it is recommended that chemotherapy and radiation be used to stop the growth of a cancerous tumor as soon as possible.
- The drug is taken 2-3 times a day, after a meal. Tablets should be washed down with plenty of liquid.
The drug is taken in the morning and evening.
Side effects
Remedy for tumorous diseases Tamoxifen has a minimal amount of adverse events, therefore its use provides the easiest transfer of additional treatments for the disease.
The most common side manifestations in the appointment of Tamoxifen include:
- , a general manifestation can be attributed to an increase in overall body temperature, weakness, dizziness;
- from the central nervous system is likely to increase drowsiness, deterioration in sleep quality, loss of appetite, lethargy;
- from the gastrointestinal tract is likely the appearance of dyspepsia, flatulence, bloating, decreased appetite, belching, nausea, and vomiting;
- also noted an increase in body weight, decreased potency in men, women - itching and burning of the genitals, vaginal discharge, uterine bleeding, the emergence of ovarian cystosis.
Allergic manifestations that were noted during the administration of this antitumor drug include the occurrence of skin itch, local reddening of the upper layer of the epidermis, loss of orientation in the space, skin rash and dermatitis of various types, hives.
Overdose
The use of the drug in case of an overdose can cause bloody discharge from the vagina in women, a sharp loss of potency in men, and the appearance of swelling.
Special instructions
To use the drug at the age of less than 18 years, special monitoring of the patient's condition on the part of the doctor is required to prevent side effects that are life-threatening.
Also requires attention to women in childbearing age: the active substance of the drug increases the rate of ovulation, therefore, during the entire period of treatment, regular intake of contraceptives is required.
Before taking the drug requires careful diagnosis, which will make the most appropriate system of complex effects on the patient.
Compatibility of
The drug Tamoxifen is compatible with most drugs without adverse effects in complex use. However, knowledge of the likely consequences of co-administration of medications will prevent the likely negative consequences of such treatment.
Joint use of cytotoxic drugs can trigger the development of thrombosis, estrogens in medicines can greatly reduce the therapeutic effect of the drug.
The drug should be used at a time when alcohol is not consumed: drinks with any alcohol content significantly reduces the drug exposure of the active substance.
Alcohol can also trigger the appearance of negative symptoms. Therefore, when treating this drug and its analogs should completely abandon the use of alcoholic beverages.
Reviews of patients
Analysis of the patient's feedback gives an idea of both the effectiveness of the drug and the possible side effects when it is taken.
Many noted the appearance of the first positive manifestations within the first week after the beginning of treatment with Tamoxifen: soreness decreases, multiple swelling of the skin is removed, skin regeneration is more active.
In this case, part of the patients who used the drug in treatment, there are also negative consequences of its use: often the appearance of nausea, women may have significant discharge from the vagina. However, most people notice a rapid improvement of the general condition in the complex treatment of tumor processes in the body.
Tamoxifen hexa, as a variant of the drug, has a high degree of activity. Particularly, this quality of the drug is noted with parallel radiation and chemotherapy, and the subsequent use of restoring immune-stimulating drugs allows us to return to normal life rather soon.
How much is the drug?
The indicator of the cost of any medicine can be considered an important component of the level of demand among buyers. And the drug Tamoxifen, according to many patients, along with high efficiency has quite affordable prices.
The cost of analogues of the drug in question may differ slightly:
- in Moscow, the antitumor drug Tamoxifen hexal is in various pharmacies 110-155 rubles per package, Tamoxifen ebove - 145-160 rubles, Vero Tamoxifen - 135-180 rubles;
- in St. Petersburg Tamoxifen costs 120-180 rubles, depending on the number of tablets in the package, Tamoxifen ebove from 165-170 rubles, Vero Tamoxifen - from 150 to 190 rubles.
Analogues
To drugs that have a similar effect, include Tamoxifen ebeve and Vero Tamkosifen.
Synonyms for
Synonyms can be considered Nolvadex, Zitazonium.
What is the best form of tamoxifen for oncology?
The development of tumor neoplasms stops, according to medical statistics, with the help of complex therapy.
Among the analogues, Tamoxifen ebove and Tamoxifen hexal showed the best results: they show their qualities more quickly, have fewer side effects.
Conditions for dispensing from pharmacies
To start treatment, the drug is prescribed by a doctor;before the appointment of treatment, a series of blood tests are performed, which allow one to get the most complete picture of the patient's health.
In the pharmacy, the drug can be purchased only on prescription.
Storage conditions and shelf life
Store Tamkosifen in a dry place, at a temperature not exceeding + 25 ° C, avoiding sudden temperature changes and humidity. An important requirement for the storage of the drug is finding it in a place inaccessible to children and pets.
Shelf life is three years.