Overview
11 DESCRIPTION SOLTAMOX (tamoxifen citrate) oral solution is for oral administration. Tamoxifen citrate is an estrogen agonist/antagonist. Chemically, tamoxifen is the trans-isomer of a triphenylethylene derivative. The chemical name is (Z)2-[4-(1,2- diphenyl-1-butenyl)phenoxy]- N , N -dimethylethanamine 2-hydroxy-1,2,3- propanetricarboxylate (1:1).
Mechanism of Action
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.1 Mechanism of Action Tamoxifen is an estrogen agonist/antagonist. Tamoxifen competes with estrogen for binding to the estrogen receptor, which can result in a decrease in estrogen receptor signaling-dependent growth in breast tissue. Tamoxifen has demonstrated antitumor activity against human breast cancer cell lines xenografted in mice. The drug has been shown to inhibit the induction of rat mammary carcinoma induced by dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) and to cause the regression of already established DMBA-induced tumors. 12.3 Pharmacokinetics Absorption and Distribution Following a single oral dose of 20 mg tamoxifen, an average peak plasma concentration of 40 ng/mL (range 35 to 45 ng/mL) occurred approximately 5 hours after dosing.
Indications
- 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE SOLTAMOX is an estrogen agonist/antagonist indicated: For treatment of adult patients with estrogen receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer ( 1.1 ) For adjuvant treatment of adult patients with early stage estrogen receptor- positive breast cancer ( 1.2 ) To reduce risk of invasive breast cancer following breast surgery and radiation in adult women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) ( 1.3 ) To reduce the incidence of breast cancer in adult women at high risk ( 1.4 ) 1.
Common Doses
- 40 mg
- 20 mg
Dosage
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Metastatic breast cancer: 20-40 mg per day. For doses greater than 20 mg per day, administer in divided doses (morning and evening). ( 2 ) Adjuvant treatment of breast cancer, DCIS, reduction of breast cancer incidence in women at high risk: 20 mg per day ( 2 ) Metastatic Breast Cancer For patients with breast cancer, the recommended daily dose of SOLTAMOX is 20 to 40 mg. Doses greater than 20 mg per day should be given in divided doses (morning and evening).
Black Box Warning
WARNING: UTERINE MALIGNANCIES and THROMBOEMBOLIC EVENTS Serious and life-threatening events from the use of SOLTAMOX include uterine malignancies, stroke, and pulmonary embolism [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 , 5.2) ] . Fatal cases of each type of event have occurred. Incidence rates per 1000 women-years for these events were estimated from the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) P-1 trial in women at high risk for breast cancer [see Clinical Studies (14.4) ] : Endometrial adenocarcinoma: 2.20 for tamoxifen vs. 0.71 for placebo Uterine sarcoma: 0.
Contraindications
- 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS SOLTAMOX is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity (e.g., angioedema, serious skin reactions) to tamoxifen or any other SOLTAMOX ingredient [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . SOLTAMOX is contraindicated in patients who require concomitant warfarin therapy or have a history of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolus if the indication for treatment is either reduction of breast cancer incidence in high-risk patients or risk reduction of invasive breast cancer after treatment of DCIS [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Drug Interactions (7.2) ].
Side Effects
- 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are discussed below and elsewhere in the labeling: Uterine malignancies [see Boxed Warning , Warnings and Precautions (5.1) , and Clinical Studies (14.4) ] Thromboembolic events [see Boxed Warning , Warnings and Precautions (5.2) , and Clinical Studies (14.4) ] Embryo-Fetal Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) , and Use in Specific Populations (8.1 , 8.3) ] Liver cancer [see Warnings and Precautions (5.
Interactions
- 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Anastrozole and letrozole: Should not be used in combination with tamoxifen. ( 7.1 ) Warfarin: Do not use in patients taking tamoxifen for DCIS and for reduction in breast cancer incidence in women at high risk. ( 4 ) Closely monitor coagulation indices for increased anticoagulant effect when used with tamoxifen for metastatic breast cancer or as adjuvant therapy. ( 7.2 ) 7.1 Aromatase Inhibitors Anastrozole The combination of anastrozole and tamoxifen did not demonstrate any benefit when compared to tamoxifen alone and should be avoided in all patients [see Clinical...