tamoxifen

noun

ta·​mox·​i·​fen tə-ˈmäk-sə-ˌfen 

: an estrogen antagonist C₂₆H₂₉NO used in the form of its citrate especially to treat postmenopausal breast cancer

Examples of tamoxifen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Katie Hafner: The entire tamoxifen project went underground. —Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2024

Nolvadex, by the way, was tamoxifen's first brand name. —Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2024

Hormonal therapies, such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors, are often used to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancers, and these medications can induce menopause-like symptoms or exacerbate them in women already in menopause. —Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 3 Oct. 2024

Some ways to reduce the risk of breast cancer include keeping a healthy weight, being physically active, drinking alcohol in moderation or not at all and, for some people, taking medications such as tamoxifen and breastfeeding your children, if possible. —Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably by recombination & alteration of trans-, oxy, and clomiphene

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

tamoxifen

noun

ta·​mox·​i·​fen ta-ˈmäk-si-ˌfen 

: a selective estrogen receptor modulator that acts as an estrogen antagonist in breast tissue and is administered orally in the form of its citrate C₂₆H₂₉NO·C₆H₈O₇ especially to treat breast cancer or reduce the risk of its development or reoccurrence see nolvadex