Nolvadex, or Tamoxifen, an anticancer drug, is given to treat breast cancer. With Nolvadex it is possible to reverse an existing growth process of deceased tissue and prevent further growth. Nolvadex unfortunately is a very expensive compound.
Tamoxifen is used to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic breast cancer), to treat breast cancer in certain patients after surgery and radiation therapy, and to reduce the chances of breast cancer in high-risk patients. This medication can block the growth of breast cancer. It works by interfering with the effects of estrogen in the breast tissue. It is important to take Nolvadex regularly to get the most benefit.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription drugs you may use, especially of: "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), estrogens, hormonal forms of birth control (e.g., birth control pills, patches, implants), phenobarbital, rifamycins.
Nausea, vomiting, hot flashes, numbness, and blurred vision can occur. In women irregular menstrual cycles can occur which manifest themselves in weaker menstrual bleeding or even complete missing of a period. Women should also be careful not to get pregnant while taking Nolvadex. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: vision changes (e.g., blurred vision), eye pain, easy bruising/bleeding, mental/mood changes, swelling of feet, unusual tiredness. Nolvadex has been associated with changes in liver enzyme levels, and on rare occasions, a spectrum of more severe liver abnormalities including fatty liver, cholestasis, hepatitis and hepatic necrosis. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms of a stroke or blood clots in the legs, such as weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, sudden vision changes, confusion, shortness of breath, chest pain, or calf swelling.
Bodybuilders who take Nolvadex also use anabolic steroids at the same time. Since most steroids aromatize more or less strongly, i.e. part of the substance is converted into estrogens, male bodybuilders can experience a significant elevation in the normally very low estrogen level. The antiestrogen Nolvadex works against this by blocking the estrogen receptors of the effected body tissue, thereby inhibiting a bonding of estrogens and receptor. Several bodybuilders like to use Nolvadex at the end of a steroid cycle since it increases the body's own testosterone production.