tamoxifen

[ tuh-mok-suh-fuhn, ‑-fen ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. an antineoplastic drug, C 26 H 29 NO, that blocks the estrogen receptors on cancer cells, used in the treatment of breast cancer.

tamoxifen

/ təˈmɒksɪfɛn /

noun

1. a drug that antagonizes the action of oestrogen and is used to treat breast cancer and some types of infertility in women

tamoxifen

/ tə-mŏk′sə-fĕn /

1. An estrogen antagonist drug used to treat advanced breast cancer in women whose tumors are estrogen-dependent and to prevent breast cancer in some women who are at high risk.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tamoxifen¹

1970–75; perhaps t(rans)- + am(ino)- + oxy- ² + phen(yl), with respelling of y and ph

Word History and Origins

Origin of tamoxifen¹

C20: altered from t ( rans- ) + am ( ine ) + oxy- ² + phen ( ol )

Example Sentences

For example, for breast cancer survivors taking long-term estrogen inhibitor medications, such as tamoxifen, certain supplements may interfere with the metabolism of the estrogen inhibitor, potentially making it less effective.

From Washington Post

Following her treatment, Brown suffered from fatigue and brain fog on the tamoxifen she took for years to prevent cancer recurrence.

From Washington Post

One class consists of two drugs, tamoxifen and raloxifene, that inhibit the action of estrogen in selective tissues.

From New York Times

Unsurprisingly, the oestrogen blocker tamoxifen was shown to inhibit this action.

From Nature

But cancer cells that are resistant to tamoxifen produce much higher levels of MED1, and the team found that this causes the condensates to balloon in size, diluting the drug and weakening its effect.

From Nature