What should you know about tamoxifen side effects?

Because tamoxifen changes oestrogen signalling, some people notice hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness or discharge, period changes, nausea, tiredness, headache or mood changes. Less common serious problems can involve clots, the womb lining, liver or vision. These effects vary, and a new symptom still deserves individual assessment.

Record when symptoms occur and how they affect daily life. Ask before using a new medicine or supplement. Continue or pause tamoxifen only according to the plan agreed with your prescriber, and report unusual vaginal bleeding promptly. Keep a note of symptoms so your clinician can decide whether monitoring or a change is needed.

Seek emergency help for sudden chest pain, breathlessness, coughing blood or a painful swollen leg. Treat sudden weakness, difficulty speaking, severe headache or sudden vision loss as urgent. Report jaundice, dark urine or rapidly worsening symptoms.

Ask what benefit is expected in your situation, what monitoring is planned, which medicines may interact, and what support is available for bothersome symptoms.