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.
TMXF
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.
Adjuvant treatment of breast cancer (estrogen receptor positive tumours) in women
tamoxifen
ODB - General Benefit
(tamoxifen)
(ODB Formulary)
| tamoxifen | 20 mg | PO | Daily |
|
(Outpatient prescription in multiples of 10 and 20 mg tablets) |
|||
CONTINUOUS TREATMENT
Premenopausal patients: Treatment for 5 to 10 years
Postmenopausal patients: Treatment for 5 to 10 years, or tamoxifen for 2-5 years, followed by aromatase inhibitor for 3-5 years
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 could be considered.
See appendix 6 for general recommendations.
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
|
| Microvascular breast reconstruction | Consider temporary hold |
Hepatic Impairment
Adjustment required, no details found
Renal Impairment
No adjustment required
Dosage in the Elderly
No adjustment required.
Refer to tamoxifen drug monograph(s) for additional details of adverse effects
|
Most Common Side Effects (>10%) |
Less Common Side Effects, but may be |
|
|
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
Refer to tamoxifen drug monograph(s) for additional details
Administration
- Oral self-administration; drug available by outpatient prescription.
- 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/Precautions
- 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.
- Tiredness and weakness have been reported. Caution when driving and operating machinery while such symptoms persist.
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.
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, etc.
-
Grade toxicity using the current NCI-CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) version
Suggested Clinical Monitoring
- CBC; Periodic
- Triglycerides and cholesterol in patients with pre-existing hyperlipidemia
back to top
Anon, Adjuvant tamoxifen in the management of operable breast cancer: The Scottish Trial. Lancet, 1987; 2(8552): 171-5.
Controlled trial of tamoxifen as a single adjuvant agent in the management of early breast cancer. Nolvadex Adjuvant Trial Organisation. Br J Cancer 1988;57(6):608-11.
Fisher B et al. Treatment of primary breast cancer with chemotherapy and tamoxifen. N Engl J Med 1981;305(1):1-6.
Tamoxifen for early breast cancer: an overview of the random trials. Early Breast Cancer Trialists’ Collaborative Group. Lancet 1998;351(9114):1451-67.
June 2022 Updated Cycle frequency and Pregnancy/lactation sections
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.