Tamoxifen and drinking alcohol

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AndreaJ50
AndreaJ50 Member Posts: 889
edited July 2014 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

First a disclaimer : I am not a regular drinker. I have maybe 6-10 drinks a year.  But I read that you can't drink at all on Tamoxifen . Is that true?

I  was offered a Seagrams Jamaican Me Happy cooler (3.2% alcohol) with our BBQ tonight, and now I am worried about having one.

I have only been taking Tamoxifen for three days now (taking my third pull before bed).

Any and all advice welcome!

Thanks!

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  • juneping
    juneping Member Posts: 1,594
    edited May 2014

    i've never heard of it...the only food the doc told me not to eat was grapefruit.

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  • odie16
    odie16 Member Posts: 1,882
    edited May 2014

    I enjoy a Seagram's mixed berry cooler in the hot tub approximately one per week and have been on Tamoxifen for almost three years now. My onc says alcohol in moderation is fine. They have such a low alcohol count compared to a glass of wine anyway. 

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  • juneping
    juneping Member Posts: 1,594
    edited May 2014

    i don't think it's the alcohol content...it's the jacking up of the blood sugar. so i read it's better to drink with a meal not empty stomach. i LOVE wine...been thinking about it the whole day...

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  • AndreaJ50
    AndreaJ50 Member Posts: 889
    edited May 2014

    NO GRAPEFRUIT?!?!?!?!

    Why has no one told me this before??? 

    Oh well, I only eat it occasionally anyway. So I guess I won't miss it much.

    I hope the occasional drink is also ok then.

    Thanks!

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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited May 2014

    Actually it is also about the alcohol, not just the sugar.  Alcohol causes a surge in estrogen apparently.  But Juneping is still correct that eating before drinking helps to reduce the surge in estrogen also.  It is probably both the alcohol and the sugar.  Despite that, I still love the occasional glass of wine and refuse to stop altogether.  I drank through radiation and was never told nor did I ever read that radiation in particular was a reason not to drink.  Many other reasons not to though :(  But there are also some darn good reasons to have a glass or two once in awhile also.

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited May 2014

    I'm a very occasional alcohol drinker. Since starting on Tamoxifen 2 1/2 years ago, i can't drink at all. The tamoxifen makes me dizzy at times. When I drink, even small quanitities(<glass of wine or beer), my dizziness increases, become uncoordinated. It's actually quite scary. I haven't bothered to talk to my MO about this. I think I know what he'll tell me.........    

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  • Nikisezz
    Nikisezz Member Posts: 14
    edited May 2014

    I have been getting worried about my liver. It seems that when I have some wine or beer (only socially) my liver is uncomfortable the next day. I have just read that tamoxifen can cause liver issues. I would understand if I was a heavy drinker, but since starting tamoxifen three years ago I have drastically cut down on alcohol. It almost feels like my liver isn't processing the alochol very well. Any thoughts on tamoxifen and the liver?

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  • MaddieT
    MaddieT Member Posts: 29
    edited June 2014

    Dear Coraleliz and Niki..I was referred to this page when I asked about the way alcohol affects other women on tamoxifen.  C- I too get a little dizzy but mainly find that the alcohol, if I'm not careful, sneaks up and slams me!  Niki, I too have drastically cut down on the hooch.  I do enjoy my weekly martini!  The Oncologist said moderation is the key.  If I go out to dinner a cocktail, then glass of wine followed by an after dinner drink is allowable...it depends on how many times I go out to dinner! : )  Maddie

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2014

    I think since the tamox is supposed to keep our estrogen count down, and alcohol has a tendency to exacerbate our estrogen, that is the problem.  And yes, my pharmacist said there is a contraindication with grapefruit and tamoxifen, as well as using benedryl products for sleep or anything else. So be careful.

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  • peggy_j
    peggy_j Member Posts: 1,700
    edited June 2014

    I just posted this in the Bone Health forum but FYI in case this helps anyone here:

    yes, there appears to be a correlation between alcohol consumption and certain types of cancer, including BC. My RO mentioned it to me but said they don't know if it's cause and a effect, or even a societal correlation. (i.e. people who drink a lot also do some mysterious thing that increases their likelihood of BC). But I found one study on PubMed that suggests that when the liver is filtering out the alcohol it's busy and thus less effective at filtering estrogen from our bodies. I don't know how valid the study is or whether it's been replicated. Personally, I wasn't much of a drinker anyway, so I now have a drink rarely and it's not an issue. But if I have to give up chocolate....watch out. ;)

    FWIW, grapefruit is contradicted for many meds.

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  • AndreaJ50
    AndreaJ50 Member Posts: 889
    edited June 2014

    I decided it wasn't worth the risk. There is so much about BC I can't control, but I can decide not to drink alcohol and risk the Tamoxifen not working!!

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  • Packpup
    Packpup Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2014

    I do occasionally have a beer or two.  I noticed that I am much more sensitive to the alcohol content now that I am on tamoxifen.  It has really reduced my desire to drink.

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  • Lorbgoo
    Lorbgoo Member Posts: 213
    edited June 2014

    every MO says different things. Mine says everything in moderation (alcohol).  I haven't heard of no grapefruit. My doc say not excessive amounts of soy as in 2 large glasses of soy milk. Don't drink  that anyway. I just took my 3rd pill last night.   

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  • bethq
    bethq Member Posts: 311
    edited July 2014

    So hard to find consistent information out there isn't it? I'm one of the "six drinks per week" people that they label "active drinker" whatever that means. I like to have a beer with my husband at the end of the day. I just wonder, if there is an estrogen surge after alcohol consumption, does that neutralize the Tamoxifen OR because of the Tamoxifen does that extra estrogen get gobbled up.I certainly don't want to be taking this medication for nothing. Wish there was more consistent info out there.

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