Coming off tamoxifen after 10 years

Hi I have completed 10 years of tamoxifen and am coming off it, reading the posts I wonder if I should reduce the dose gradually as the side effects of stopping sound horrible. I am 52 and getting menopause symptoms all the time and don’t really want to exacerbate these when I can’t use and don’t want to use HRT . Any thoughts advise would be great  

  • Hi and thanks for getting in touch,

    There isn’t any evidence to show that gradually reducing tamoxifen is safer or helps prevent withdrawal‑type symptoms. In most cases, people stop it suddenly, and this is what doctors generally advise. Everyone’s experience is different, though, and some women do notice hormonal changes when they stop, because their body has been used to tamoxifen’s anti‑oestrogen effect for a long time.

    If you feel unsure or anxious about stopping abruptly, it might be worth checking with your GP or breast care team for advice, if that’s possible.

    It’s completely understandable to be concerned about menopausal symptoms, especially if you’re already living with them and aren’t using HRT. You may find our information on managing sex hormone symptoms helpful.

    I hope this is useful. Please do get back in touch if you have any other questions. You can also speak with one of our nurses on the helpline if you prefer. We’re available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, on our freephone number: 0808 800 4040.

    Best wishes,

    Jemma