History:
In 1966, the Imperial Chemical Industries Pharmaceuticals (ICI) assigned scientists to find a new emergency contraceptive. The drug they created was called ICI46, 474 and was not effective in its early stages. Despite this letdown, the ability was seen, by a member from the team of scientists, that it could be used to treat Breast Cancer. In the period up to clinical trial testing in 1970, ICI46, 474 was renamed Tamoxifen. The Christie Hospital in Manchester was the location of where Tamoxifen was tested as a treatment for Breast Cancer. Then, the drug was licensed, ‘Phase IV”. This is significant as it marks the beginning of the collection of information on the benefits, risks, and optimal usage of Tamoxifen. This research …show more content…
With this great significance, research is consistently conducted to find the best treatment of Breast Cancer. One reason for the usage of Tamoxifen is because of its effectiveness. Using Tamoxifen instead of or with chemotherapy in trials included 16,000 women and a minimum of 300 women that participated in the trials lives were prolonged or saved. With continued use, millions of lives of women with Breast Cancer have been saved due to the inclusion of Tamoxifen in their treatment. With being affective, it is also affordable and because of these characteristics of Tamoxifen, it is classified as an essential drug for treating Breast Cancer, on the World Health Organization’s list of essential drugs for treating breast cancer (Smith, …show more content…
With the general usage of hormone therapy, which Tamoxifen is categorized into, women may experience: night sweats, hot flashes, vaginal dryness and a disruption in the menstrual cycle in premenopausal women. More serious but less common side effects of specifically the use of Tamoxifen with include: stroke, risk of blood clots (specifically in the legs and lungs), Uterine and Endometrial Cancers, cataracts, mood swings, depression, loss of libido, and bone loss in premenopausal women. Several serious side effects from Tamoxifen specific to men include: headaches, skin rash, vomiting, nausea, decreased sexual interest and impotence (National Cancer Institute,