Does anyone know if it’s ok to take a magnesium supplement when on tamoxifen?
Hi schnauzergirl
Thank you for your post about magnesium supplements and whether it is ok to take these with tamoxifen.
Many people ask about vitamin and herb supplements such as magnesium, as they want to do as much as possible to be healthy. There is often the belief that vitamins and herbs are safe as they are considered natural.
There is much we don’t know about supplements and herbal remedies. Herbal treatments don’t have to comply with the same regulations or rigorous testing that conventional medicines do. For many products there is a lack of research to support their use, and some can interfere with conventional medicines including cancer treatments such as tamoxifen.
There are several different forms of magnesium and many reasons for taking it. The American website, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, has information about this and has sections on existing evidence and what known interaction there is with other medications. You may find that some herbs have different names in America. You can also search herbal products and supplements, including magnesium on the American website Medicine Plus
Do speak to your breast care nurse, treatment team, GP, or a pharmacist before taking any supplements.
Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to more support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000. If you have hearing or speech difficulties prefix our number with 18001 and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.
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Wendy
Breast Care Nurse
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