Nolvadex® (tamoxifen citrate)
Alternative brand (trade) names: Valodex and Istubal
What is Nolvadex® ?
Nolvadex contains the medicine tamoxifen citrate, which belongs to a group of medicines called anti-oestrogens, and is used mainly as an anti-cancer treatment.
What is Nolvadex® used for?
Nolvadex is used to treat breast cancer and certain types of infertility in women.
How does Nolvadex® work ?
Nolvadex is an anti-hormonal medicine and works primarily against the cancers that are stimulated by female sex hormones called oestrogens:
- Nolvadex stops the action of the hormone oestrogen, a natural chemical signal produced by the body, by preventing it from attaching itself (binding) to sites (called receptors) on cells, including cancer cells.
- Oestrogen is known to encourage the growth of many cancerous tumours of the breast.
- By stopping the actions of oestrogen, Nolvadex is useful in slowing the growth of the tumour and may cause it to shrink.
Nolvadex can be used in both pre and post-menopausal women.
Nolvadex is also useful in stimulating ovulation (release of eggs from the ovaries). In some women this is a problem and here Nolvadex can be used as an aid to fertility treatment.
How is Nolvadex® given ?
Nolvadex is supplied as tablets.
Country specific information
To consult your local information.
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