Since December 2007 I have been taking Tamoxifen made by CP Pharmaceuticals Ltd and they have “Tam 20” on one side and “CP” on the other.
During the first 3-4 months, I had no apparent side effects. However, I then developed really bad joint pains, especially in my hands and feet and occasionally elsewhere (thighs, hips) and nausea, quite similar to the nausea you can experience whilst pregnant. A day does not go by when I am suffering either/both of these side effects.
I am due to see my GP shortly to get a new prescription and was wondering whether it was worth asking if I could change brands.
Have any of you ladies out there changed from CP to another brand and noticed any improvements? Or may be you changed from CP to another brand and things got even worse. I’d love to hear from you.
Hi there, I took APS tamoxifen for a month and had chronic depression, and now am awaiting another blood test result (first one failed as not enough blood due to veins) to see where I am at as the onc wants me to take arimidex. If the test proves that I am still pre-menopausal I will probably give the CP brand a go as have two packets in cupboard awaiting! On another thread it seemed that most ladies preferred the APS brand. There’s also talk of the nolvadex brand but it seems hard to get, and more expensive. What a minefield! Bear in mind that the joint pain may be down to less oestrogen anyway, I think we should all be prescribed supplements when given tamoxifen but that’s another story!
Tamoxifen is a generic name - it comes from various different companies. Yuor prescription will just say ‘Tamoxifen’ and the brand you get will depend on what the pharmacy happens to have in stock that day. The only difference from this is the Nolvadex brand, which does have to be specified on the prescription, and I believe as Liz says is more expensive. You would need to ask your GP for this one.
I have found that APS suits me better - the hot flushes are more manageable - so last time I put my prescription in to the chemist, I specifically asked if he could get that one in for me. As he is my local chemist, and I use him regularly for all the family, he was happy to ring around the suppliers to help me. I don’t know what would happen if you just walked in Boots.
Hi, I have just found this website as I was searching to find out if taking different brands of Tamoxifen affects you. My original brand was APS which I started taking March 2007 and had a few side effects including joint pain. I have started taking Omega 3,6 9 capsules which have really helped (although they have given me a few spots!!) so I take them every other day - but still worth it.
I recently was given CP Tamoxifen and have become tearful, angry and depressed - have just requested a new prescription from my Dr for APS and hope this will help.
Hope this helps - it has certainly helped me to read your messages
I’m on the Nolvadex brand with my GP’s full support. I explained what I had read about side effects etc, and that our local chemist would dish out whatever he was given (so the brand could change from month to month) and he was fully on side. He had read the Nolvadex causes fewer side effects and prescribed them without any problem at all.
I hope everybody else who reads this gets the same support from their GP - it’s worth asking - especially if you can put forward a reasoned argument as to WHY you should have Nolvadex - if that’s what you want.
Hi all,
I was on CP Tamoxifen early this year and suffered with poor skin (I already have eczema). When my GP agreed to change to Nolvadex, not only did my skin clear up but i had no more hot flushes at all!
I would think it’s definitely worth trying a different brand if you’re struggling, and maybe getting on the good side of your local pharmacist so you can get some consistency of brand.
Jacquie
Hi,
I read all this before seeong the onc and he was quite happy to presribe noladex as he only signs for one month and then the GP just follows on. So if you read this beforehand try talking to the onc at the first appointment. If this is not possible my research nurse told me to go to Boots as they have their own brand and ladies were telling her they were much better.
Lily
I have been on Tamoxifen since Feb 08 and first was prescribed APS and then CP with both I had hot flushes and night sweat, loss of libido and no periods. Then I had a 4 months supply of G by Generic uk. My periods came back and hot flushes stopped and was having the best sleeps.
2 weeks ago got another supply and they were CP brand again. Straight away I was getting hot flushes and felt poorly again from lack of sleep. I went to my local pharmacy and spoke to a stroppy lady Pharmacist who said that even though different brands contain slightly different things they are mainly binding agent and tablet coatings, the only active ingredient is the 20mg Tam. She refused to accept that different brands give you different side effects. She also said that side effects quite often change during the course of treatments due to a build up of the drug in the system, and that it is just a coincidence that I felt different when I changed brands.
So no joy there. I think I will take my next prescription to Boots. Its worth a try.
Hi there, quick update…funny old world, my bcn nurse phoned yesterday with blood test results and I said “I know what you are going to say as my period came this morning!” so yes I am still pre-menopausal. Nine months without one but there you go. In the meantime I had started the CP tamoxifen and have been on it almost a week, as had already decided against arimidex because of concern about bone issues. Will see how I go, but may try the Boots one. They want me to have zoladex injections too now as periods have returned, joy, but will see if I feel settled on the tablets first.
well i was on genetic tamox for a month and asked the doctor if i could change to nolvadex…as i was having hot flushes and joint pain…been taking the new one’s for a week and no hot flushes …joint;s are’nt as bad either…so I’m glad my GP has changed them over for me …even tho he had a mone about the price of nolvadex …but they work for me …
im fine with the Cp pharmaceuticals and acp ones its the ones in the dark green pack (forgotten which manufacturer) that sends me round the bend with really heavy bleeding and low mood.
still have all the dry kinda symptoms with any of them eg dry scalp, itchy legs and boobs, constipation, dry mouth etc.
i have a prescription list as long as your arm for things to help with the side effects of the tamoxifen LOL.
my pharmacist has a note to avoid the green packs and he has always been very obliging with this even phoning around to get alternatives.
Hi,
how soon do the side effects start if you are going to get them? I am on day 10 of nolvadex and no reaction so far, fingers firmly crossed though as early days.
Lily x
Hi all, well I have been on CP tamoxifen for three weeks now and so far so good. The only thing is interrupted sleep but I have had the most horrid cough and cold so don’t know whether it’s that. I have no achey joints or hot flushes touch wood. Last time Lily when I was on the APS brand it took about 2 weeks for things to start, however the interrupted sleep was bad from day one. The green packet ones sound awful!
HI I HAVE BIN TAING TAMOXIFEN FOR NEARLY TWO MONNTHS NOW . I WAS WONDERING IF ANYBODY SUFFERS WITH THERE FINGERS AT NIGHT AS I REALLY SUFFER BAD THEY SWELL UP AND I CAN;T BEND THEM AS THE PAIN IN MY JOINTS IS AWFUL . CAN ANYONE RECOMEND ANY PAIN RELIEF FOR THIS THANKS ANITA
I went to my GP last Friday as I needed a prescription for more Tamoxifen. I mentioned my horrendous aches and pains with the CP tablets and asked whether I could have Nolvadex D. He gave me a prescription for a month’s worth of tablets, but said if he prescribed it in the future he would have to justify it because it was more expensive.
I said I had done my research - namely all you ladies out there with your various experiences - and he was happy with that. Equally, however, I may have been worse off with Nolvadex D and the CP brand was “as good as it gets”.
HOWEVER, within 2 days of taking Nolvadex D, the pain is all but gone, as has the nausea, although I cannot really be too clear on that one because I have just lost the love of my life (not a current relationship, but one of about 12 years standing which finished a couple of years ago) and my stomach is churning anyway.
And do you know the cost difference involved? Generic Tamoxifen is in the region of £3 a pack, whilst Nolvadex D is in the region of £13. I would happily pay the difference just to get rid of the pains. Having said that, I believe cancer-related drugs should be free of charge.
I have been on APS since September and so far side effects are very slight. When I went to collect my new prescription from the chemist she asked if she could do a review of my medicines - they do it to everybody who has regular medication. I told her what I had read on here about other side effects from the CP brand. She made a note on the computer to only ever supply me with APS if that is what I wanted and that she would put a couple of packets aside with my name on so that there were always some available as they usually just get whatever their supplier sends them. At least that way, she said they would not run out and I would be assured of getting APS and they could then contact the supplier to get APS sent to them. Worth having a word with your chemist to see they can do the same for any of you.
Hi
Bubs so pleased to hear you are so much better on it. I am on my first nolvaldex pack and nothing except feeling slightly warmer in the morning, so far. Long may it last.
Lily x