Tamoxifen is supplied in 10 mg, 20 mg. The standard approach is 20 mg once daily for five to ten years
Strength and use
| Strength | Typical role |
|---|---|
| 10 mg | Starting or low-dose maintenance |
| 20 mg | Standard maintenance dose |
Titration path
- 1
Step 1: initiate
Begin at the lowest useful strength of 10 mg.
- 2
Step 2: assess
Review after the onset window of biological effect immediate; recurrence benefit accrues over years.
- 3
Step 3: escalate
Move up one strength only if the response is partial and tolerance is good.
- 4
Step 4: maintain
Hold at the lowest effective dose for breast cancer treatment and risk reduction and review periodically.
Key takeaways
- Standard dosing: 20 mg once daily for five to ten years
- Dosing interval: 24-hour dosing.
- Never double up after a missed dose: resume the normal schedule.
- Store below 30 °C, protect from light to protect potency across the shelf life.
Missed doses and adherence
If a dose is missed and the next one is close, skip it. Doubling increases the risk of hot flushes without improving outcomes. Blister packaging and clear dispensing labels measurably improve adherence on film-coated tablet lines.
Tamoxifen at a glance
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drug class | selective oestrogen receptor modulator |
| Common brand | Nolvadex |
| Licensed use | breast cancer treatment and risk reduction |
| Available strengths | 10 mg, 20 mg |
| Dosage form | film-coated tablet |
| Typical onset | biological effect immediate; recurrence benefit accrues over years |
| Duration / dosing interval | 24-hour dosing |
| Storage | below 30 °C, protect from light |