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Drug Formulary information is intended for use by healthcare professionals. It is not intended to be medical advice. Some of the information, including information about funding for cancer drugs, does not apply to all patients. Cancer treatment plans are unique to each patient. If you are a patient, please speak with your healthcare team to understand how this information applies to you.

A - Regimen Name

TMXF Regimen
Tamoxifen


Disease Site
Gynecologic
Endometrial
Ovary


Intent
Palliative

Regimen Category
Evidence-Informed :

Regimen is considered appropriate as part of the standard care of patients; meaningfully improves outcomes (survival, quality of life), tolerability or costs compared to alternatives (recommended by the Disease Site Team and national consensus body e.g. pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review, pCODR).  Recommendation is based on an appropriately conducted phase III clinical trial relevant to the Canadian context OR (where phase III trials are not feasible) an appropriately sized phase II trial. Regimens where one or more drugs are not approved by Health Canada for any indication will be identified under Rationale and Use.


Supplementary Public Funding

tamoxifen
ODB - General Benefit (tamoxifen)

 
B - Drug Regimen

tamoxifen
20 mg PO BID

(Outpatient prescription in multiples of 10mg & 20mg tablets)

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C - Cycle Frequency

CONTINUOUS TREATMENT

Until evidence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity

 
D - Premedication and Supportive Measures

Antiemetic Regimen:

Not applicable

 
E - Dose Modifications

Doses should be modified according to the protocol by which the patient is being treated. The following recommendations have been adapted from clinical trials or product monographs and may be considered.

Dosage with toxicity

Toxicity
Action
Severe estrogen depletion symptoms

Consider short drug holiday and rechallenge

Arterial/Venous thromboembolism
Discontinue
Severe depression
Discontinue

Pancreatitis, pneumonitis, hepatotoxicity, severe hypercalcemia

Discontinue

Cataracts, retinopathy, corneal changes, severe myalgia

Consider discontinuing

Severe skin symptoms, porphyria cutanea tarda, cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Discontinue



Hepatic Impairment

Adjustment required, no details found

 


Renal Impairment

No adjustment required


Dosage in the Elderly

No adjustment required.

 


 
F - Adverse Effects

Refer to tamoxifen drug monograph(s) for additional details of adverse effects


More common (≥10%)

Uncommon (< 10%),

but may be severe or life-threatening

  • Estrogen withdrawal symptoms
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Rash (may be severe)
  • Fluid retention
  • Vaginal discharge, bleeding
  • Fatigue
  • Hypersensitivity
  • Arterial thromboembolism
  • Venous thromboembolism
  • Ocular disorders (retinopathy, cataracts, optic neuritis)
  • Endometrial hyperplasia, polyps
  • Pancreatitis
  • Pneumonitis
  • Secondary malignancies (including uterine sarcoma/endometrial cancer)
  • Tumour flare (including hypercalcemia)
  • Porphyria, cutaneous lupus erythematosus, cutaneous vasculitis
  • ↑ LFTs
  • Radiation recall reaction
 
G - Interactions

Refer to tamoxifen drug monograph(s) for additional details


  • Avoid concomitant use with potent CYP2D6 inhibitors (e.g. fluoxetine, paroxetine, quinidine, pimozide, perphenazine)
  • Caution with the use of moderate CYP2D6 inhibitors (e.g. desipramine, haloperidol, citalopram, sertraline, hydroxyzine, amlodipine) and consider alternative drug options 
  • Do not coadminster with anastrozole or letrozole
  • Exercise caution when given with CYP3A4 inducers
  • May significantly increaase anticoagulant effect. Monitor prothrombin time; adjust anticoagulant dose as required
  • Avoid concomitant use with drugs that prolong the QT interval.
 
H - Drug Administration and Special Precautions

Refer to tamoxifen drug monograph(s) for additional details


Administration

  • Swallow whole with a glass of water, with or without food.
  • Do not crush or chew the tablets.
  • Take the dose at about the same time each day.
     

Contraindications and Precautions

  • Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to tamoxifen or any of its components.
  • Use with extreme caution in patients with a history of significant thromboembolic disease
  • Some brands of tamoxifen contain lactose; carefully consider use in patients with hereditary galactose intolerance, severe lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption. Use with caution in patients with pre-existing myelosuppression or depression. 
  • Consider temporary hold in patients undergoing delayed microvascular breast reconstruction.


 

Pregnancy / Lactation

  • Tamoxifen is not recommended for use in pregnancy. Adequate contraception should be used by both sexes during treatment and for 9 months after the last dose.
  • Breastfeeding is not recommended.
  • Fertility effects are unknown.
 
I - Recommended Clinical Monitoring

Treating physicians may decide to monitor more or less frequently for individual patients but should always consider recommendations from the product monograph.

Recommended Clinical Monitoring

  • Calcium, in patients with extensive bone metastases; for first few weeks then periodic
  • Clinical assessment of toxicity - vaginal bleeding, ocular, thromboembolism, myalgia, tumour flare, GI and pulmonary effects, rash; at each visit
  • Grade toxicity using the current NCI-CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) version

Suggested Clinical Monitoring

  • CBC; baseline and periodic
  • Triglycerides and cholesterol in patients with pre-existing hyperlipidemia; baseline and periodic

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J - Administrative Information

Outpatient prescription for home administration


 
K - References

Tamoxifen drug monograph, Cancer Care Ontario.

Hasan J, Ton N, Mullamitha S, et al.  Phase II trial of tamoxifen and goserelin in recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer.   Br J Cancer 2005;93(6):647-51.

Karagol H, Saip P, Uygun K, et al.  The efficacy of tamoxifen in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.  Med Oncol 2007;24(1):39-43. 

Thigpen T, Brady MF, Homesley HD, et al.  Tamoxifen in the treatment of advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.  J Clin Oncol 2001;19(2):364-7.

May 2022 Modified Pregnancy/lactation section


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M - Disclaimer

Regimen Abstracts
A Regimen Abstract is an abbreviated version of a Regimen Monograph and contains only top level information on usage, dosing, schedule, cycle length and special notes (if available). It is intended for healthcare providers and is to be used for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice, and all uses of the Regimen Abstract are subject to clinical judgment. Such information is provided on an “as-is” basis, without any representation, warranty, or condition, whether express, or implied, statutory or otherwise, as to the information’s quality, accuracy, currency, completeness, or reliability, and Cancer Care Ontario disclaims all liability for the use of this information, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits that arise from such use.
Information in regimen abstracts is accurate to the extent of the ST-QBP regimen master listings, and has not undergone the full review process of a regimen monograph.  Full regimen monographs will be published for each ST-QBP regimen as they are developed.
Regimen Monographs
Refer to the New Drug Funding Program or Ontario Public Drug Programs websites for the most up-to-date public funding information.
The information set out in the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information (for health professionals) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended for healthcare providers and is to be used for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects of a particular drug, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition. The information in the Formulary is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.
The format and content of the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information contained in the Formulary will change as they are reviewed and revised on a periodic basis. The date of last revision will be visible on each page of the monograph and regimen. Since standards of usage are constantly evolving, it is advised that the Formulary not be used as the sole source of information. It is strongly recommended that original references or product monograph be consulted prior to using a chemotherapy regimen for the first time.
Some Formulary documents, such as the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets and symptom management information (for patients), are intended for patients. Patients should always consult with their healthcare provider if they have questions regarding any information set out in the Formulary documents.
While care has been taken in the preparation of the information contained in the Formulary, such information is provided on an “as-is” basis, without any representation, warranty, or condition, whether express, or implied, statutory or otherwise, as to the information’s quality, accuracy, currency, completeness, or reliability.
CCO and the Formulary’s content providers shall have no liability, whether direct, indirect, consequential, contingent, special, or incidental, related to or arising from the information in the Formulary or its use thereof, whether based on breach of contract or tort (including negligence), and even if advised of the possibility thereof. Anyone using the information in the Formulary does so at his or her own risk, and by using such information, agrees to indemnify CCO and its content providers from any and all liability, loss, damages, costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) arising from such person’s use of the information in the Formulary.