Anyone else taking lexapro with tamoxifen?

Nancy2581

I will be starting tamoxifen at the end of January. My MO said Lexapro is fine to take with tamoxifen. I see though that most of the ladies here take effexor. Any thoughts? Lexapro has been wonderful for me and it has helped me tremendously to handle the BC diagnosis.

Nancy

Nancy2581

Thanks kayb

mdg

My MO made me switch from Lexapro to Effexor and I was on tamoxifen.  He would not allow patients to take those two meds together because of possible interactions.

Nancy2581

hmmmm that is odd. My MO says it's ok. I will definitely talk to her when I see her next. I asked her about lexapro before I even went on it and she said it is fine with tamoxifen and thought it was a great idea.I only asked here because everyone seems to be on Effexor.

wrsmith2x

I take Lexapro and just started with Tamoxifen and so far, so good.

Pokemom1959

My onc recommended that I increase my dosage of Lexapro from 5mg to 10mg a day because she said it helps with the side effects, including hot flashes. I increased the dosage a recommended and the hot flashes really decreased

Nancy2581

thanks everyone. I really like lexapro. I have zero side effects and it helps me think more positively about beating this stupid disease. I take 10 mg too.

farmerlucy

Hi Nancy - I happened to be checking Drugs.com for Tamoxifen issues with another med so I tried Lexapro and Tamoxifen and it shows a major interaction not because it reduces the effectiveness but due to potential heart issues/

http://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_l...,1013-565

Effexor show a similar issue but it is rated a moderate interaction. Just thought I'd pass that along.

Nancy2581

Well phooey - it's always something isn't it? My MO and I will be discussing tamoxifen next month so I will mention this. Thanks Jill

Nancy

glennie19

Nancy, I just checked for the interaction on Clinical Pharmacology, and there isn't one. Lexapro, Celexa and Effexor are actually the best ones to take while on tamoxifen.  Paxil is the biggest problem child.  It is interesting that the interaction that farmerlucy mentions doesn't show up.   (I'm a pharmacist in real life)    Effexor is supposed to be the one that is most helpful with hot flashes,, so that might be why you see so many women here taking Effexor.

Nancy2581

glennie19 thanks so much for checking that for me. My MO okayed the lexapro before I even started it (never took anything before - thanks a lot BC). I'd hate to have to give it up I have zero side effects from it. Thanks again

Nancy

glennie19

Nancy, I'm so glad that it works for you and you have no SE's.  That is awesome.