Tamoxifen with Paxil?

PaxilGirl

Hi all, has anyone heard of negative effects of Paxil with regard to breast cancer and reducing the efficacy of tamoxifen?  I've been taking Paxil for many years before bc.  After mastectomy and chemo, I took tamoxifen.  I switched to arimidex for 9 months and then back to tamoxifen for a total of 4 years--it has been very difficult as my side effects are nasty. 

I just heard that paxil negatively effects the efficacy of tamoxifen and should not be prescribed together.  Not only that, but the studies I've read about say the longer they are taken together the higher the risk of recurrence.  The reports I've read are from 2009.  I'm just 1 month short of my 5 year surgical anniversary.  Needless to say, my anxiety level is spiked and I feel like I've wasted the last five years.

A friend just went through a very, very early stage lumpectomy.  Radiation recommended, but she refused.  She is taking tamoxifen.  She said her doctor told her she might hear stories about anti-depressants with tamoxifen, but there is apparently new data that shows there is no issue with the combination.  I can't find anything out there about this new data and am anxious to know if anyone else has heard.

labelle

Yes, I've read several things suggesting Paxil may make Tamoxifen less effective. Most women on here switch to another anti-depressant if they are going to be taking Tamoxifen.

PaxilGirl

I've been treated all this time at Dana Farber in Boston.  You'd think that someone would have mentioned it.  At any rate, I went to the paxil prescribing doctor (easier to see) yesterday and am weaning off Paxil.  Thanks for your response, labelle.

Moderators

Hi PaxilGir, and welcome to Breastcancer.org! We're sorry you have to be here for this reason, but glad you joined and decided to post!

The information we've found in our main site go in that same direction, suggesting that Paxil interferes with tamoxifen's ability to treat breast cancer. You can take a look at the following links if you want:

• Anxiety
• Taking Antidepressant With Tamoxifen Reduces Tamoxifen's Effectiveness
• Do Antidepressants Interfere With Tamoxifen? Results Unclear

Best wishes. Please come back and let us know how you're doing!

The Mods

KBeee

Many women on Tamoxifen are able to take Effexor instead. Perhaps that is a option you could bring up and discuss with your doctor

PaxilGirl

Thanks KBee!  I will definitely mention this to my GP.  Weaning off Paxil, however slowly, is a drag -- already teary watching a commercial!  And having the worry about the effectiveness of tamoxifen being probably diminished scares me alot.  I also feel like I've been in a test group without my knowledge.