For Information -- Tamoxifen and Paxil

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Yazmin
Yazmin Member Posts: 840
edited June 2014 in Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment

Dear Inah,
For the 20 years we've been in existence our goal has been to update and help you understand what's happening in treatment. We have news on Tamoxifen you'll want to share with your doctor. I'm concerned, and you may be too when you read it.Some years ago, I attended a talk aboutwomen who'd had breast cancer and wereexperiencing hot flashes. These womencan't take hormone therapy. To reduce our hot flashes, the idea was to give us an antidepressant - specifically a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Hot flashes are one reason a woman with breast cancer might be on an SSRI. Another is that a breast cancer diagnosis can be downright depressing!There are lots of SSRIs. Paxil (generic name paroxetine) is one. However, it's an irreversible inhibitor of the metabolic enzyme CYP2D6 that can interfere with tamoxifen's effectiveness.A recent study by the British Medical Journal reveals that women taking a combination of tamoxifen and Paxil are more likely to die than other women on other anti-depressants (Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, Effexor and Luvox).The new study focused on women aged 66 and older, but the biological mechanism of CYP2D6 is likely to be the same in younger women.You are safer if your doctor is fully informed. Forward this email to her/him. Make sure s/he knows about this study.Be informed, and above all be healthy,Barbara
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  • Yazmin
    Yazmin Member Posts: 840
    edited February 2010

    Dear Yazmin,

    For the 20 years we've been in existence our goal has been to update and help you understand what's happening in treatment. We have news on Tamoxifen you'll want to share with your doctor. I'm concerned, and you may be too when you read it.

    Some years ago, I attended a talk about women who'd had breast cancer and were experiencing hot flashes. These women can't take hormone therapy. To reduce our hot flashes, the idea was to give us an antidepressant - specifically a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Hot flashes are one reason a woman with breast cancer might be on an SSRI. Another is that a breast cancer diagnosis can be downright depressing!

    There are lots of SSRIs. Paxil (generic name paroxetine) is one. However, it's an irreversible inhibitor of the metabolic enzyme CYP2D6 that can interfere with tamoxifen's effectiveness.

    A recent study by the British Medical Journal reveals that women taking a combination of tamoxifen and Paxil are more likely to die than other women on other anti-depressants (Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, Effexor and Luvox).

    The new study focused on women aged 66 and older, but the biological mechanism of CYP2D6 is likely to be the same in younger women.

    You are safer if your doctor is fully informed. Forward this email to her/him. Make sure s/he knows about this study.

    Be informed, and above all be healthy,

     

    Barbara Brenner

    Breast Cancer Action

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