Tamoxifen
Medication / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Tamoxifen?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Tamoxifen, sold under the brand name Nolvadex among others, is a selective estrogen receptor modulator used to prevent breast cancer in women and men.[13] It is also being studied for other types of cancer.[13] It has been used for Albright syndrome.[14] Tamoxifen is typically taken daily by mouth for five years for breast cancer.[14]
Serious side effects include a small increased risk of uterine cancer, stroke, vision problems, and pulmonary embolism.[14] Common side effects include irregular periods, weight loss, and hot flashes.[14] It may cause harm to the baby if taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding.[14] It is a selective estrogen-receptor modulator (SERM) and works by decreasing the growth of breast cancer cells.[14][15] It is a member of the triphenylethylene group of compounds.[16]
Tamoxifen was initially made in 1962, by chemist Dora Richardson.[17][18] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[19] Tamoxifen is available as a generic medication.[14] In 2020, it was the 317th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 900 thousand prescriptions.[20][21]