Change in brand name of tamoxifen caused new side effects

FeelingtheMagic

I thought this worth sharing. Six weeks ago I was switched to Nolvadex-D - a brand name of tamoxifen. Wish I could tell you which brand I was on, but I hadn't kept the packaging and, believe it or not, my pharmacy doesn't have a record.  Two weeks into the change, I noticed a number of side effects: brown discharge, chronic sore throat, bladder way more leaky than usual, bloating,weight gain. I was given a full physical and it was determined the change in drug brand must be the cause of the side effects. Since I only had a couple months left to complete my tamoxifen protocol, my onc took me off and I will be starting an A.I. just a little earlier than planned. What concerns me, though, is that women may not be aware that the brand alone can make a difference in side effects and might put up with side effects unnecessarily, when another brand might suit them better.  (fillers and dyes can cause havoc apparently) And so, I am sharing my story simply as a little 'heads up.'   

Joanne_53

interesting ... my MO gave me a prescription for Nolvadex instead of the generic to see if it helped with joint pain.  I haven't been on long enough ... I will keep you posted.  I ceetainly don't need the side effects you mentioned.

FeelingtheMagic

HI Joanne, 
Yes, do keep me posted! All the side effects went away after a couple weeks off of tamoxifen. I think the thing to note is that one brand might be okay for some people, and other brands for others. Just hope women know they have the option to make those changes.  Hope all goes well for you!  

MsPharoah

Ladies, you may want to read this article about the differences in manufacturers of medications.  I had the same experience when my letrozole manufacturer changed and I no longer have the joint pain....While there are differences in fillers and differences in people...this article indicates that the actual amount of the active ingredient can vary across manufacturers and the FDA allows that.

http://www.bottomlinepublications.com/content/article/health-a-healing/what-s-really-in-that-generic-drug?

MsP

FeelingtheMagic

Good article, thanks, MsPharoah!