| Indication | For the treatment of breast cancer. |
| Pharmacodynamics | Tamoxifen belongs to a class of drugs called selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), which have both estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects. Tamoxifen has the same nucleus as diethylstilbestrol but possesses an additional side chain (trans isomer) which accounts for its antiestrogenic activity. |
| Mechanism of action | Tamoxifen binds to estrogen receptors (ER), inducing a conformational change in the receptor. This results in a blockage or change in the expression of estrogen dependent genes. The prolonged binding of tamoxifen to the nuclear chromatin of these results in reduced DNA polymerase activity, impaired thymidine utilization, blockade of estradiol uptake, and decreased estrogen response. It is likely that tamoxifen interacts with other coactivators or corepressors in the tissue and binds with different estrogen receptors, ER-alpha or ER-beta, producing both estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects. |
| Absorption | Not Available |
| Volume of distribution | Not Available |
| Protein binding | Not Available |
| Metabolism | Hepatic. Tamoxifen is extensively metabolized after oral administration. N-Desmethyl-tamoxifen is the major metabolite found in plasma. N-Desmethyl-tamoxifen activity is similar to tamoxifen. 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen and a side chain primary alcohol derivative of tamoxifen have been identified as minor metabolites in plasma. 4-Hydroxy-tamoxifen formation is catalyzed mainly by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6, and also by CYP2C9 and 3A4. At high tamoxifen concentrations, CYP2B6 also catalyzes 4-hydroxylation of the parent drug. 4-Hydroxy-tamoxifen possesses 30- to 100-times greater affinity for the estrogen receptor and 30- to 100-times greater potency at inhibiting estrogen-dependent cell proliferation compared to tamoxifen. |
| Route of elimination | The drug is excreted mainly as polar conjugates, with unchanged drug and unconjugated metabolites accounting for less than 30% of the total fecal radioactivity. |
| Half life | Distribution t1/2=7 to 14 hours; Elimination t1/2=5 to 7 days; Elimination t1/2 of N-desmethyl-tamoxifen=9-14 days. |
| Clearance | Not Available |
| Toxicity | Signs observed at the highest doses following studies to determine LD50 in animals were respiratory difficulties and convulsions. |