Has anyone in the U.S. been prescribed 5mg of Tamoxifen

Posted by flygirl747 @flygirl747, Mar 12 4:36pm

Has anyone in the U.S. been prescribed 5 mg of Tamoxifen rather than the standard 20mg for LCIS or Stage One?
Friends in Europe that have had LCIS or Stage One have been prescribed the dose of 5mg. It seems here in the U.S. we are being prescribed the higher dose of 20mg. I just wondering if they test blood and titrate or just prescribe the 20 mg. Thank you for your input.

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Joanna | @enaska1 | Mar 15 4:01pm

In reply to @corky48 "Can the 10 mg be broken in half?" + (show)

I've read that it should not be broken in half . It should be taken as a whole and every other day (10 mg )

flygirl747 | @flygirl747 | Mar 15 6:31pm

In reply to @enaska1 "I've read that it should not be broken in half . It should be taken as..." + (show)

If it a solid tablet what would be the reasoning?

christylv | @christylv | Mar 16 8:22am

In reply to @enaska1 "Hi ! I am 10 months on Tamoxifen 5 mg ( 10 mg every other day)..." + (show)

Hi! I am on tamoxifen 5 mg. I cut my 10mg in half. My oncologist told me the 5mg everyday was fine because I could not tolerate the 20 what so ever. Bad pelvic cramps and bladder pains. The 10 was ok but I still had bladder issues daily. I am pre menopausal and I never really had an issue so far with hot flashes or night sweats. I do get them occasionally but I got them before starting tamoxifen so I really do not think they increased with tamoxifen. As far as hair loss. Yes! I thought I was crazy. But even at the 10mg everyday I was still experiencing it. It just recently stopped and I am so happy! I have long fine hair but a lot of it. So I never felt I saw bald spots or anything . But right after I washed it I could tell. Even on days I did not wash it, I could tell. I style my hair for work everyday and it was noticeable the amount I saw in the comb. I was starting to get really really upset . But it has changed! I have always been a heavy shedder I should note. But this was even a little too much for me. Also my hair felt drier on tamoxifen 10mg. But I did go back to my old shampoo so this could be a factor too. Hope this helps.

christylv | @christylv | Mar 16 8:24am

In reply to @enaska1 "I've read that it should not be broken in half . It should be taken as..." + (show)

I use a pill cutter. I work in a pharmacy. Tamoxifen is not an extended release drug so yes you can cut it half. It does not have a score, So you must try to be precise when you cut it. That’s why a pill cutter is best.

peggydobbs | @peggydobbs | Mar 16 9:36am

I was prescribed Tamoxifen 20mg--my cancer is Es+Pr-HR2-. Perhaps the type of cancer makes a difference in amount needed.

Joanna | @enaska1 | Mar 16 9:40am

In reply to @christylv "Hi! I am on tamoxifen 5 mg. I cut my 10mg in half. My oncologist told..." + (show)

christylv , Thank you for your input . I have long time to go with Tamoxifen .... Hope it's not going to be worse . Wishing you best of health for rest of your life ! ❤️🙏🏻

Lisa | @kods | Mar 16 10:27am

In reply to @peggydobbs "I was prescribed Tamoxifen 20mg--my cancer is Es+Pr-HR2-. Perhaps the type of cancer makes a difference..." + (show)

Your statement concurs with my understanding of dosing for Tamoxifen. My cancer is also IDC - ER/PR positive Her2-. 20mg is desired and what has been studied.

It is my understanding that 5mg is seen as preventative or used with DCIS stage 0.
I also believe that the study referenced for 5mg only looks at 3 years.
My oncologist was a hard - “no”.
All of that said, for me 10mg is tolerable and 20 is not.