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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Exemestane A Good Alternative For Tamoxifen Citrate?

My doctor has prescribed tamoxifen Citrate 20 mg for me to take daily. (Oncologist) After a bilateral masectomy on 7/23/15. I am very uncomfortable with the side effect information. And wondering about requesting an alternative drug such as Exenestane. Is that inappropriate request?
Wed, 7 Oct 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
I understand your concern.
Tamoxifen is the drug blocks the actions of estrogen. This is because certain types of breast cancer require estrogen to grow.
Exemestane is also drug used to treat breast cancer. It belongs to the class of 'aromatase inhibitors'. It blocks the synthesis of estrogen and thus lowers the estrogen level, and slows the growth of cancers.
Both are anti-estrogen drugs but with slight different mode of action.
Intake of any of these drugs will have its side effects.
Hence, you can take Tamoxifen citrate as the doctor has prescribed and see if you can tolerate it well. If so, then there is no need to request for the change.
In case the side effects caused are not tolerable, then you can consult your doctor and request for the change.
Hope the information provided would be helpful.
All the best and wish you good health.
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Is Exemestane A Good Alternative For Tamoxifen Citrate?

Hi, Thanks for posting in HCM. I understand your concern. Tamoxifen is the drug blocks the actions of estrogen. This is because certain types of breast cancer require estrogen to grow. Exemestane is also drug used to treat breast cancer. It belongs to the class of aromatase inhibitors . It blocks the synthesis of estrogen and thus lowers the estrogen level, and slows the growth of cancers. Both are anti-estrogen drugs but with slight different mode of action. Intake of any of these drugs will have its side effects. Hence, you can take Tamoxifen citrate as the doctor has prescribed and see if you can tolerate it well. If so, then there is no need to request for the change. In case the side effects caused are not tolerable, then you can consult your doctor and request for the change. Hope the information provided would be helpful. All the best and wish you good health.