Tamoxifen (or nolvadex) is a drug commonly prescribed to prevent the recurrence of breast cancer, but a common side effect of the treatment is hot flashes. As a result, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) - a class of drugs that includes Paxil (paroxetine) and Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride) - are commonly prescribed to... Read more
Research on the possibility of a drug interaction between tamoxifen (nolvadex) and serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) - a class of drugs that includes Paxil (paroxetine) and Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride) - has revealed an unexpected wrinkle: A significant number of women possess a genetic trait that inhibits the benefits of tamoxifen,... Read more
Isn't it ironic? Just a couple of years after paying a fine for the illegal promotion of Evista as a breast cancer prevention drug, manufacturer Eli Lilly has finally gained FDA approval for the use of the popular osteoporosis drug for prevention of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Evista, or raloxifene, can now be prescribed for... Read more
Yesterday's court decision denying a right for terminal patients to access unapproved medications was a setback to patient advocacy groups seeking untested drugs that might save their lives. The 8-2 decision by the full Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit overturned a previous ruling by its panel supporting the Abigail... Read more
While every woman should be on her guard against the onset of osteoporosis, those who have had breast cancer may be at special risk. A number of chemotherapy regimens and other medications used to combat the cancer can result in premature bone loss, which is possibly even aggravated by the cancer experience itself. Here are some ways you can help... Read more
