Tamoxifen and Sore Throat

UnderFortyPam

Has anyone gotten the side effect of a persistent sore throat. I've had it since Feb now and all the doctors say it isn't related to Tamoxifen. But the sheet of paper that comes with the RX says it is listed. Just wondering if I am crazy here. Also, what did you do about it?

rubytuesday

Tamoxifen can actually effect your vocal cords. I had a similar issue when I started Femara....I was constantly clearing my throat. It wasn't sore just 'froggy'. Best wishes!

rrs

I had a raspy throat - always having to clear my throat. Not really sore but something Froggy like ruby says. My voice also got a little lower which was OK because I had a high pitched voice to begin with :-)

I didn't do anything about it but I'm glad I took the tamoxifen.

Anonymous

I didnt have the sore throat when I was on the tamoxifen but I did for the first couple of weeks on Arimidex....that part has cleared up but I do have the froggy thing going on for no apparent reason so Im blaming that on the Arimidex too...
Hope yours clears up soon.
Jule

Robbzi

Hi UnderFortyPam,

I have been taking tamoxifen two years now.  The past several months I've had a slight hoarseness that I thought was due to allergies or talking so much since this is my second year teaching full time (foreign language-- so talking constantly is necessity), but it didn't concern me until recently.  Over the last week or so I felt like I had strep throat, but had no other symptoms of it...  However, like you I thought I remembered seeing 'sore throat' on the medicinal pamphlet (which my current pharmacist apparently stopped giving assumably to cut corners!  just hit me when I went to look on the bag of my most current pick up which had only a receipt/signature label attached!)...  Anyhoo...  I am very concerned also.  And I was diagnosed at 39!  I finally broke down at the end of the week and for two days alternated gargling with half n half hydrogen peroxide & water mixtures with salt water mixtures.  Today I don't feel like strep throat, but I still have the hoarseness.  Was wondering if I need to see the doctor after checking here and other parts of the net.  Any suggestions SURVIVORS????!

toughtitties

I have been on Tamoxifen for about two weeks and have a sore throat.... I have tried various things so it is comforting to see I am not alone and that this can truly be a side effect. Just hope it doesn't stick around for the next few years!

tifan

I have had a chronic sore throat for 5 months now, I have been trying Pepcid to control GERD  / acid reflux, but that hasn't helped and I was just beginning to wonder if it IS related to Tamoxifen use. I will ask my ENT about this the next time I see him. 

Kleenex

One thing I just thought of: Tamoxifen overall makes my digestion more sluggish. It seems that it changes the nature of assorted tissues in the body, sometimes in unexpected ways. I am more likely to have "acid reflux" if I eat a lot or eat late and then try to go to bed - especially spicy things - so perhaps THAT could be what your "sore throat" feeling is...

toughtitties

My sore throat has cleared up... although now and then I do feel a little tingle... I have been using Hylands Sore Throat homeopathic tablets and they work wonders! 

mbeck

I'm new to tamoxifen, just into my 3rd month. At first I thought it was allergies, but it hasn't quit! I have constant post nasal drip and clearing my throat. is this the norm?

AngieB92

mbeck - I have been on Tamoxifen since April and have experienced the same thing. I just thought it was the Kadcyla I was on.

Mom2bill

I have been on Tamoxifen for 7 months, and developed hoarseness about 2 weeks ago. I’ve read that Tamoxifen can change your singing voice, so I’m assuming that it can have an impact on your vocal cords in general. I have had other side effects come and go, so I’m hoping that this one won’t last too long.