Tamoxifen is a common hormone therapy for breast cancer, and while most people tolerate it well, it does come with a range of side effects. Here's a breakdown of what to expect:
Common side effects
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Vaginal dryness or unusual discharge
- Irregular or changed periods
- Mood swings or Show Full Answer
Tamoxifen is a common hormone therapy for breast cancer, and while most people tolerate it well, it does come with a range of side effects. Here's a breakdown of what to expect:
Common side effects:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Vaginal dryness or unusual discharge
- Irregular or changed periods
- Mood swings or depression
- Weight gain or fluid retention (swelling)
- Fatigue
- Nausea or stomach upset
- Skin changes (dryness, rash, itching)
- Sleep problems (insomnia)
- Changes in taste (e.g., metallic taste)
- "Brain fog" — memory or concentration issues
- Reduced sex drive or sexual dysfunction Less common side effects:
- Joint pain or leg muscle cramps
- Headaches
- Changes to singing voice
- Increased facial hair Serious but rare side effects — contact your doctor immediately if you notice:
- Signs of blood clots (leg pain, swelling, redness)
- Breathing problems or chest pain
- Stroke symptoms (facial drooping, sudden confusion, numbness)
- Blurry or foggy vision (possible cataracts)
- Yellowing of skin or eyes, or dark urine (liver issues)
- Unusual vaginal bleeding or spotting Many MyBCTeam members have shared their experiences — one described hot flashes as feeling like "my body was on fire," while another found that switching to taking tamoxifen in the morning helped ease insomnia.
Everyone's experience is different, so it's worth keeping your care team in the loop about anything new you're feeling. Don't stop taking tamoxifen without talking to your doctor first, as it plays an important role in reducing the risk of recurrence.
May 23
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