Nolvadex brand of Tamoxifen.
Nolvadex brand of Tamoxifen. Hi everyone
There was a thread here recently about different brands of Tamoxifen causing different side-effects and a few women said Nolvadex is the purest form and causes fewest side-effects.
So yesterday I asked my GP to specify Nolvadex for me but the computer won’t accpet brand names so she could only give me a prescription for generic Tamoxifen.
I asked my local pharmacy to order Nolvadex for me - which they did - but I have to pay an extra £5.69 per box on top of the NHS prescription charge as it is more expensive and comes out of the pharmacist’s pocket. Anyone else experience this? He said the only way round it is to get my GP to specify the brand because then he gets the full cost back.
Thanks
Lola
Nolvadex Lola
When I got my first prescription for Tamoxifen I asked for 2 months supply of Nolvadex. I named the brand and gave my reasons for asking for it (such as reduced hot flushes and general side affects). GP had no issues with this at all so I was very fortunate. It sounds like its not on your GP computer system. Could you ask that they write and sign an amendment on the script before they give it to you.
I am also lucky as I collect my drugs from the GP. They have their own pharmacy for patients who do not live near a chemist. Any chance yours has a similar set up?
Take care and best wishes
Nicola
My basic prescription is for Tamoxifen but the GP added a note recommending/requesting Nolvadex. This now prints out every time.
I really can’t believe that pharmacist and suggest you ask around at others.
I asked my gp to prescribe nolvadex, but the receptionist replied that if the chemist didn’t have it in stock they would just give the the aps brand i’ve had before, unless i gave them plenty of notice… I took my prescription in to a larger boots store, thinking that i would have to wait ages but no - they had it in stock ( less 24 which i have yet to collect!!)
On speaking to the pharmacist, he said they only had one other patient who has it but if i give them about a weeks notice they will make sure they get it in for me. Apparently it doesn’t cost the gp any more so keep on asking them to specify nolvadex d.
Hope you get sorted with it.
lots of love
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
p.s. i’ve been on it nearly two weeks now and haven’t noticed any difference yet - keeping fingers crossed though!!!
Thanks Hi girls
Thanks for your advice. It sounds like the easiest way is to ask my GP to find a way to specify the Nolvadex brand. Next time I’m in Boots I’ll ask if they charge extra for it even it isn’t on the prescription.
Lola
I understand that nolvadex D is going to be phased out, as so many brands of tamoxifen available.
When i was on it I got gp to specify brand and then chemist has to give you the prescribed drug not any old brand of tamoxifen. Having said this I have two packs of unopened unused indate tamoxifen and would be happy to post them to you if you want to contact me and give me your address
love
Rheta
ps if it is easier i am a member of the other site too.
Perscription Drugs Hi All
Breast Cancer Care recommends that you return any unused prescription drugs back to the pharmacy for their disposal and do not pass them on to anyone else.
Kind Regards
Forum Host
Breast Cancer Care
Nolvadex D Rheta
Was very concerned when I read your post saying you thought Nolvadex D was about to be phased out. So I emailed AstraZeneca who make and distribute the product. Have cut and pasted their response below:
"Thank you for your enquiry as detailed below.
I can confirm that there are no plans to discontinue the ‘Nolvadex D’ 20mg tablets in the UK.
I trust this is of help to you. Thank you for taking the time to contact AstraZeneca.
Kind Regards
Hazel
Hazel Hobbs
Medical Information Advisor
AstraZeneca UK Ltd
Horizon Place
600 Capability Green
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3LU"
Hopefully this will be of some use to those who are taking Nolvadex D.
Take care
Nicola
for Nicnic Thanks for putting my mind at rest over the Novaldex D, I was worried when I read the post regarding the possible withdraw. I feel so much better taking this than when I was on the generic brand, I still have side effects but they have definately improved.
Thanks again
Clare (S)
Thanks very much Rheta for offering to post the Tamoxifen to me. I keep reading about ‘the other site’. What is it? No-one refers to it by its name and I sometimes feel as if it’s a secret club and I’m the only one who’s not a member!
I know that Nolvadex - D has recently been discontinued in the USA but I am so relieved to hear that there are no plans to phase it out here. I’ve been having a lot of hot flushes but since starting the Nolvadex yesterday I haven’t had any.
Coincidence? Placebo effect? Who knows? But I’m thinking if it’s £5 more expensive a packet there must be a reason…
Watch this space - I’m on a mission!!
Lola x
Hi everyone,
Sorry I didn’t mean to cause such concern. I was only repeating what my BC nurse told me and she had heard it from a patient whose husband worked for the company (allegedly)!!!
As for posting tablets i did stress they were unopened etc. I am sure people can make up their own minds about whether it is ok or not ok to use unneeded tablets. I find it very irritating that the NHS which is falling apart at the seams wastes so much in unwanted medication. Rant over sorry!
Anyhow the other site Lola is:
We are a friendly bunch and very user friendly. It took me quite a while to pluck up courage to use the site, but now I find it a great help, as of course is this one.
love
Rheta
My Gp who has been around for over 25 yrs says he hasnt heard of Nolvadex and says for me to get my onc to perscribe it or write to him silly man.
Do you think its because of money he is the senior partner and so stingy with prescribing stuff.
Is it makin any difference to anyone who takes it the nolvadex?
Ruthx
No Problem I went to the GP last week for first script after hospital had given me 14days of generic. I am only 38 and have been having hot flushes since the chemo anyway so was not looking forward to it getting worse. I asked my GP for Nov as oposed to generic as I had heard there were less side effects etc. She seemed surprised and said they should all be the same and that it was not one she had heard of. She looked it up in her little book and said fine. Its now on my details so will get it as a repeat prescription from now on. She also gave me 3 months worth which I have heard some people struggle to get. Although she was surprised to hear that I had to pay for the treatment - can’t think why this surprised her, she must have been a GP for at least 15years so I would expect her to know the rules!
I was expecting a bit of a battle for all this but it never happened. Although I do have to admit I chose the GP within the practice I went to casefully.
Very odd Hi Lola,
Poor you - your experience sounds very frustrating. I asked the oncologist about nolvadex v tamoxifen and he agreed that many patients had fewer side effects with nolvadex. He had no hesitation in prescribing this and as a result my gp has no option but to keep giving it to me. The computer excuse that your dr used seems like a bit of a bluff to me as they might be trying to save money. Perhaps I am being unkind but if your pharmacy says costs more seems logical.
If possible get your oncologist or surgeon to write to gp specifying nolvadex.
Best wishes
Jo x
tamoxifen I’m also on tamoxifen since March 7th and haven’t noticed any side effects other than a few spots on my face which are going now.
I did ask my onc about novadex but she told me that is just the brand name and the tablets are all the same and the box I got from the hospital had no makers name on it.
Saw my GP last week to get more tablets and she only gave me one months supply so I asked her if I could have a 3 month supply as I had to pay and she gave me it at once, was okay about it and it’s now on my repeat prescription.
These tablets only have the name CP Pharmaceticals Ltd on the box but I’m not having any side effects as of yet.
My GP seems to think if I haven’t noticed anything yet I won’t get any side effects. Hope she’s right.
Michelle.
This is great,
Im due to start Tamoxifen and have been worried about the side effects (especially weight gain), i will now go armed with all the information and ask for Nolvadex,
This site is great.
thanks all
Tracey
xx
Getting Prescription for Nolvodex D My first prescription of Tamoxifen, a month ago, was for the brand Nolvodex D at my request following anecdotal evidence about fewer side effects. I seem to be fine on it and want to continue with it over the generic brands.
My GP practice has since refused to issue further prescriptions for this brand nor will they give me a private prescription for it.
It’s a difference of about £5 a month.
The pharmacist is willing to get it in for me and other NHS hospital based doctors and pharmacists cannot see why my GP or another in the practice cannot write a private prescription and specify the brand.
They tell me that only, wait for it, Viagra can be prescribed privately by NHS GPs!
Have others overcome this? Or have others had a different experience? Any advice most welcome.
I think its absolutely disgusting that we cant get what we want.
I wonder how much armiadex and letrazole etc are i bet they are alot more expensive than even nolvadex.
Because they have cheaper tamoxifen they wont give us the better nolvadex. As i said earlier my GP said he had never heard of it huh!
Dont start me ont he 2 months supply its ridiculous. I am going to ask for 3 next time its costing me over £40 a year for tamox every 2 months and i aint back at work yet either, supporting two kids thorugh uni i cannot afford it.
Ruthx
Thread Revival Hi Knew I’d seen a thread about Nolvadex and went looking and found it on page 7!!
Anyway I thought I’d revive it as I’m just back from the Oncologist and she has just changed my prescripition from the generic tamoxifen to the branded Nolvadex.
I’d said I was feeling slightly (only slightly) sick and wondered if it was the RT. She said it was most likely the tamoxifen.
In her experience she said that when people feel sick on tamoxifen it goes away with the Nolvadex.
She said they are the same drug, but for some reason it does have fewer side effects.
Having read all the posts, I just hope my GP isn’t going to be sticky about the change…
Love to you all
Oasis