TAMOXIFEN SANDOZ® tamoxifen citrate tablets Consumer Medicine Information Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn
This leaflet answers some common questions
Take your medicine at about the same time or shows signs of tampering. each day.
If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your
Taking it at the same time each day will help you
It does not contain all the available information.
remember when to take it. It does not matter if
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor
If you are not sure whether you should start
you take it before, with or after food. taking this medicine, talk to your doctor.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your
doctor has weighed the risks of you taking this
Continue taking your medicine for as long as
medicine against the benefits they expect it will
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any your doctor tells you. other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
It is important to keep taking your medicine evenif you feel well. If you have any concerns about taking this Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. the following medical conditions:
• any blood problems, such as low white blood
Keep this leaflet with the medicine.
Take your dose as soon as you remember, and
continue to take it as you would normally.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
dose you missed and take your next dose when
Tell your doctor if you have not been through Do not take a double dose to make up for the
This medicine is used to treat breast cancer. menopause. dose that you missed.
It contains the active ingredient tamoxifen citrate. If you have not told your doctor about any of
This may increase the chance of you getting an
the above, tell him/her before you start taking Tamoxifen Sandoz.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or
It works by blocking the actions of oestrogen. In
some types of breast cancer, oestrogen can help
If you have trouble remembering to take your
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are
cancer cells grow. By blocking the effect of
medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints. taking any other medicines, including any that
oestrogen, Tamoxifen Sandoz stops or slows the
you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop. Immediately telephone your doctor or the Ask your doctor if you have any questions Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 about why this medicine has been prescribed
interfere with each other. These include:
26 or New Zealand 0800 POISON or 0800
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another
• rifampicin, an antibiotic used to treat
764766) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Tamoxifen Sandoz. Do this even if there
This medicine is available only with a doctor's
• anticoagulants, such as warfarin, medicines
are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
These medicines may be affected by Tamoxifen
Symptoms of an overdose may include problems
Sandoz or may affect how well it works. You
may need different amounts of your medicines, oryou may need to take different medicines. Do not take this medicine if you have an
information on medicines to be careful with or
allergy to:
• tamoxifen citrate, the active ingredient, or to
If you are about to be started on any new
any of the other ingredients listed at the end
medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist
of this leaflet under Product Description. that you are taking Tamoxifen Sandoz. Follow all directions given to you by your
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction
doctor or pharmacist carefully. Tell any other doctors, dentists, and
They may differ from the information contained
pharmacists who treat you that you are taking this medicine. If you do not understand the instructions, ask If you become pregnant while taking this medicine or within two months of stopping
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other
your doctor or pharmacist for help. therapy with Tamoxifen Sandoz, tell your doctor immediately.
• rash, itching or hives on the skin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are
Talk to your doctor about the risks to your
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant unsure of the correct dose for you.
developing baby if you become pregnant while
or trying to become pregnant.
They will tell you exactly how much to take.
taking this medicine or within two months after
It may affect your developing baby if you take it
Follow the instructions they give you.
If you take the wrong dose, Tamoxifen Sandoz
Keep all of your doctor's appointments so that Do not breastfeed if you are taking this
may not work as well and your problem may not
your progress can be checked. medicine.
Your doctor may do some tests (gynaecological
It is unknown if the active ingredient in
The usual dose is one tablet (20mg) each day.
checks, blood tests) from time to time to make
Tamoxifen Sandoz passes into breast milk, but
sure the medicine is working and to prevent
For some people, your doctor may recommend
there is a possibility that your baby may be
that you take two tablets (40mg) each day. Do not give this medicine to children. Do not take Tamoxifen Sandoz to treat any
Safety and effectiveness in children have not
Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of
other complaints unless your doctor tells you Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you. Do not stop taking your medicine or lower the
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other
dosage without checking with your doctor. Do not fall pregnant while you are taking
• rash, itching or hives on the skin. Tamoxifen Sandoz.
The above list includes very serious side effects.
Talk to your doctor about reliable methods of
contraception while you are taking Tamoxifen
hospitalisation. These side effects are rare. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell. Be careful driving or operating machinery
Other side effects not listed above may also occur
until you know how Tamoxifen Sandoz affects
Some side effects (for example, changes in liver
This medicine may cause dizziness and light-
function, triglyceride levels or blood cells counts)
headedness in some people. If you have any of
can only be found when your doctor does tests
these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery
from time to time to check your progress.
or do anything else that could be dangerous. Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are
Keep your medicine in the original container. taking Tamoxifen Sandoz.
If you take it out of its original container it may
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes
they are serious, most of the time they are not.
Keep your medicine in a cool dry place where the
You may need medical attention if you get some
Do not store Tamoxifen Sandoz or any other
Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side
medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not
effects. You may not experience any of them.
leave it on a window sill or in the car. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines. questions you may have. Keep it where children cannot reach it. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres
any of the following and they worry you:
above the ground is a good place to store
If your doctor tells you to stop taking this
medicine or the expiry date has passed, ask your
pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is
• headaches, dizziness or light-headedness
These are mild side effects of the medicine.
Tamoxifen Sandoz 20mg - white, round tabletswith a notch on one side. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any
Available in blisters of 60 tablets. of the following: • unusual pain or pressure in your bones or
• Tamoxifen Sandoz 20mg - 20mg tamoxifen
• swelling of the hands, ankles and feet
• unusual tiredness, shortness of breath and
• frequent infections, fever, severe chills, sore
• yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark coloured
unusual vaginal bleeding or othergynaecological symptoms (such as pelvic
Sandoz Pty Ltd
The above list includes serious side effects that
If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital: Novartis New Zealand Ltd
sharp, stabbing pain the leg, groin or chest
• signs of a stroke, such as sudden onset of
weakness or paralysis of the arms or legs,
sudden difficulty with speaking, walking ordifficulty thinking
This leaflet was revised in February 2010.
• shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty
Australian Register Number
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Breast Cancer Care helpline 0808 800 6000 Website www.brea stcancercare.org.uk How long will I have to take tamoxifen is, how it works, what the benefits tamoxifen? You will usually take tamoxifen for five years, What is tamoxifen? although this time can vary according toindividual circumstances. Some women maybe changed to a different hormone therapycancer in both men and women.