Acne breakouts on tamoxifen

keep close watch on things. The acne can be a sign of excess estrogen building up in the blood stream (because it's being blocked at the cellular level and not being metabolized by the liver fast enough). Make sure you're familiar with the symptoms of high estrogen. I have the acne issue-my oil glands are in overdrive to the point where I'm shiny within a couple hours of cleansing and when I wake up in the morning it's like an oil slick.

I'm cleansing 2x a day alternating between neutrogena rapid clear oil eliminating foaming face wash and neutrogena clear pore cleanser and mask, neutrogena oil elininating astringent, neutrogena clear pore leave on acne mask, Clinique acne serum and clindamyacin antbiotic gel. I started with just the cleansers (one will stop working and that's when I switch off), then added astringent with spot treating with the leave on mask, then sought help with the Clinique acne serum and dr suggested adding the antibiotic just in case. I get it on my face, side/back of my neck and décolletage. I've been off the tamoxifen due to blood clots in my calf and both lungs since May and the acne is still an issue (4 months later) but it finally seems to be getting better slowly. I'm scheduled for hysterectomy later this year and I'll start an AI after.

I hope this helps!

just a word of caution: high estrogen can put you at risk for blood clots. If you have pain (achy or shooting or feeling of pressure) in your calf or it becomes a little painful to take a deep breath or regular breathand/or you have shooting pain in your shoulder area upon inhale, go to the nearest ER and let them know you're on tamoxifen and think you may have a blood clot. If you're having any issues with pain on breathing in particular let them know that upfront. Been there, done that and it's nothing to mess around with.

I'm in somewhat of the same boat as you - I've gotten breakouts now that I'm off birth control and taking tamoxifen. I'm 38. I was also experiencing small bumps on my neck and along my hairline. And my dermatologist recommended spironolactone, and I'm taking it. I called my MO to make sure there were no interactions, and they said it was fine. I've been taking both for over 3 months and it has helped. I haven't had any noticeable side effects from the combo either. Hope this helps.