Tamoxifen and anti-depressants

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1

Hello, I hope someone can help me.

I started a 5 year course of Tamoxifen following sugery May 2012. This year I was prescribed anti-depressants to help with depression; firstly Fluoxetine… which I later was told interacted with the Tamoxifen so it was changed to Citalopram. However I have read that this may inhibit the effect of the Tamoxifen also, so I am at present unsure of if I should continue with this drug. I have asked several support groups including ringing the number on this site and also asking the “nurse”…however they all give very mixed answers; all which seem to contradict each other. Can anyone tell me is this drug to take alongside Tamoxifen, or is ther an alternative?

2

Jess,
I recall looking at info on this recently - think it may have been on Macmillan’s site. I remember Citalopram was on the list that’s ok to take, and Venlafaxine was as well.

3

There’s an article here which suggests that Venlafaxine is the safest choice to take with Tamoxifen

health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Mental_Health_Letter/2010/June/antidepressants-and-tamoxifen

4

SP and Cybele thanks so much for responding; my meds have now been changed to Venlafaxine; I have been told that these have the least interaction. Thanks again

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Hi, just some advice about venlafaxine. You may need to give your body time to get used to it. I took my first tablet and it made me very woozy an disorientated. My Gp then suggested taking 1/4 tablet for 4 days then 1/2 tablet for 4 days then full tablet and so on and this was a much better experience for me. Hope whatever you take helps you to feel better soon
Helen

6

I’ve been taking mirtazapine which is a SNRI anti depressant on the advice of my psychiatrist. My onc is happy with that and said it isn’t expected to interact. I take the tamoxifen in the morning and the anti depressant at night as it has sedative effects too, so good for the insomnia tamoxifen can trigger/exacerbate.
Hope you are feeling better.

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Thanks Lisa. I did think about taking them at night, however they are time release capsules so Ive been told that wouldnt really make a difference to me. I`ve had a couple of better nights sleep so maybe they are working. Thanks for replying.

8

im on citralapram i was told it was ok to take ive been taking it for most of the time ive been on tam

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I was actually prescribed Citalopram by my Oncologist. Never thought to question taking it with the Tamoxifen as he also prescribed that. Been on both for nearly 4 years now.