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.
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. [...]
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.