Clinical Update 2025: Recommendations on the Use of Antidepressants in Women Taking Tamoxifen
While some antidepressants may affect the metabolism of tamoxifen into its active form, many antidepressants can be used safely in this population.
Clinical Update 2019: Tamoxifen and Antidepressants
Women receiving tamoxifen for the treatment or prevention of breast cancer should be aware of possible drug-drug interactions between tamoxifen and specific antidepressant medications. Antidepressants are used widely to treat depression and anxiety disorders in [...]
Combining Tamoxifen with Antidepressants: What You Need to Know
An updated version of this post can be found HERE. Two thirds of all breast cancer tumors are known to have receptors that respond to hormones; that is they can grow in response to estrogen. [...]
More Data on the Interaction Between Antidepressants and Tamoxifen
An updated version of this post can be found HERE. Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (or SERM) which is used for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer. Tamoxifen’s effects in the breast [...]
Electroacupuncture Effective for Breast Cancer Treatment-Associated Hot Flashes
A recent study examined the effectiveness of electroacupuncture, in which small electric currents are applied to traditional acupuncture needles, in women with breast cancer treatment-associated hot flashes. 120 women with hot flashes were randomized to [...]
Hormonal Treatments for Breast Cancer: Do They Cause Depression?
Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are the preferred hormonal therapy for postmenopausal women with estrogen sensitive breast cancer. While the selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), such as tamoxifen and raloxifene, are used in premenopausal women with estrogen sensitive breast cancer, the aromatase inhibitors (e.g., anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane) have been shown to be more effective and safer than the SERMs in postmenopausal women.Â
Choice of Antidepressant May Affect Survival in Women on Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer
Tamoxifen is a SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator) used in women with breast cancer; it reduces the risk of relapse and improves overall survival. Tamoxifen may also be used to reduce the risk of breast cancer in women at high risk for the disease. In order to be fully effective, tamoxifen must be metabolized to an active metabolite, endoxifen, by the liver enzyme CYP2D6. Consequently, any co-administered agent that inhibits this enzyme will reduce the conversion of tamoxifen to endoxifen, thereby potentially reducing the efficacy of tamoxifen as a breast cancer therapy.
Acupuncture for Hot Flushes in Women with Breast Cancer
Many women report vasomotor symptoms, including hot flushes and night sweats, during the menopausal transition. While estrogen is clearly one of the most effective treatments for vasomotor symptoms, recent concerns regarding the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have made treaters much more reluctant to recommend HRT, even for short-term management of vasomotor symptoms.