Tamoxifen Side Effects Can Hamper Memory, Cognitive Ability: Study

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The results of a new study suggest that side effects of tamoxifen, a breast cancer drug, can lead to decreased cognitive abilities and memory loss. 

Women who took tamoxifen for a year or more were found to score lower on verbal memory and executive functioning tests, according to researchers at the Netherlands Cancer Institute in Amsterdam. Their results were published this month in the online version of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Tamoxifen was first approved by the FDA in 1971 for the treatment of breast cancer. Originally developed by AstraZeneca under the brand name Nolvadex, it is now sold under a variety of brand names, including Istubal and Valodex, and is also sold as a generic. Tamoxifen works by inhibiting the development of estrogen, which is believed to stimulate the spread of breast cancer. As of 2004, it was the largest selling hormone-based breast cancer treatment drug in the world.

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Dutch researchers, funded by Pfizer, tested 299 women, including 80 women prescribed tamoxifen and 99 women taking Pfizer’s competing Aromasin (exemestane). They found that tamoxifen users had a statistically significant drop in verbal memory and executive functioning skills when compared to healthy control groups. Aromasin users showed no significant cognitive differences, researchers said.

Executive functioning includes the ability to shift attention between two different parts of a task. Verbal memory is the ability to retain and recall spoken information.

Researchers were at a loss to explain why tamoxifen caused a drop in cognitive abilities, but there have been a number of studies that link estrogen with verbal memory, including a 2004 study by U.S. researchers who found that estrogen boosted long-term memory in men, and other studies that suggest women tend to have better verbal memory skills than their male counterparts.

The results of the new study comes on the heels of other research involving the drug, published in the most recent issue of the British Medical Journal, which found that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like Paxil, can interfere with tamoxifen, reducing or completely mitigating the breast cancer drug’s effects. SSRIs are often prescribed to breast cancer patients to combat depression.

Tags: Breast Cancer, Tamoxifen
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94 Comments

Em
I too have had terrible memory loss and after taking Tamoxifen for 31/2years. I also suffer from dibilitating joint/bone pain. I have gone from being a project manager pre 2007 cancer diagnosis to being unemployed. I do not feel employable. Everytime I complain to my onchologist I feel she negates these symptoms saying they are caused by something else. Could I be getting rheumetoid arthritis and dementia coinsidentaly? I use to be a fine strong and smart cabable woman. Now, I have become locked in depression because of all this, lost my marriage, home and confidence. I am embarrased to talk to anyone because I even think that I should not be feeling this way. I distrust getting any real help from the doctors. I suffer from headaches in the last few months and sometimes cannot get out of bed. I wonder what is to become of me and the burden I inevitably will become if I continue going down this path. HELP!
Ines
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2002. I used to be very healthy before. I had partial mastectomy, chemothepy and radiation. I am 53 years old. I am a college graduate. I was prescribed Tamoxifen at the end of 2003. I have struggled with my memory since. I rarely made mistakes at work before Tamoxifen. Ever since I went back to work after a few months of taking Tamoxifen I started making mistakes and forgetting things at work. I did not use to have a calendar, but now I cannot llive without one, as I forget almost everything I don’t write down. I have saved every calendar since I started taking Tamoxifen, so I can go back and read things that I have done.
Sharika
Hello, my name is Sharika and I was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2010. I was diagnosed with DCIS stage 2 in my entire right brest and a few lymp nodes.I had a bilateral mastectomy, left breast for preventative. I am 29 years old and taking tamoxifen. I started last October 2010. Since my therapy with the meds I have experienced memory loss, mood swings, hot flashes, joint & muscle pain, and recently just had lab work that showed a positive ANA Titer for lupus (currently having more testing). I can complain all day but I have a 4 & 2 year old that relies on me. I awake in pain everyday, but I’m here to tell it. It’s hard but I’m starting to understand the meaning of stop stressing and let my body heal. I am currently not working due to the side effects, but I’m here to enjoy life. If I should only have 5, 8, 10 years of life at least I enjoyed it with my family and not stressing at work if I’m going to get fired due to my medication. LIFE, I LOVE IT. We are all human beings and there are many things in the world that can cause harm to our body. You never know what may cause it, but people you have to remember humans create the drugs we take and humans make mistakes. Not unless someone does harm to a drug to cause harm intentionally. Think of this we are cancer to the world, because we are inventing so many things that are not natural resources of this planet. We want to live forever, but that was not our purpose. Were killing ourselves. Enjoy life and keep pushing for long term life to spend with your family and friends.
ginger
I have a friend who has been on tam. for one year. She is a mess. I would like to hear from women who have weathered the 5 years of tom. Has their quality of life returned? Has the memory issue improved? Is there any light at the end of this dreadful tunnel? Thank you gg
Jean
I was diagnosed with left breast DCIS in May 2009; had a lumpectomy, radiation, and started on Tamoxifen in Sept. 2009. In the past month or so, I have experienced severe memory loss, problems in spelling even simple words, and lately, becoming disoriented while driving on very familiar routes. It now has become evident to my adult children who are encouraging me to speak with the medical onocologist and even stop the medication while continuing with yearly mammos and MRI’s. At the age of 75, I am inclined to take their advice for the sake of quality of life. I am in excellent health otherwise and also worry greatly about the chance of developing uterine cancer since I have never had a hysterectomy. I have also had two episodes of (one year apart) of dark vaginal discharge which my Gyn assures me is from the Tamoxifen, but I want an endomentrial biopsy done soon. I think this is another case of a drug rushed to market by money greedy manufacturers without waiting for long term effects. My advice….BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE.
Debra
I too was on tamoxifen for 5 years, and thank my sister advised me to go on the computer to see about lawsuits have been filed. I am so happy to know I’m not the only one who feels this was a horrible drug. My memory is just about gone ( no joke) I also suffer with periphial neuropathy which keeps getting worse. It use to be horrific pain in my feet and legs. Now my hands are starting to feel the same way with pain and numbness. I had nerve decompression surgery on my left foot in 2007, and it did not help, so I never let them do the right foot. I started taking this bad drug in 2003, and stopped in 2008. Some asked if the pain gets any better and the answer to that sadly is no. If anyone knows of a lawsuit, please let me know
Jill
I took Tamoxifen for one year. After taking it for two weeks I became ill and was eventually diagnosed with Hepatitis. I felt ill for a long time and I also suffered weight gain which I am certain is connected to low liver functioning. Now I am tired all of the time, have permanent indigestion and am at much higher risk for liver cancer. No liver functioning screening was done prior to prescribing Tamoxifen and although I complained for months to my dr. it was a naturopath who ran liver functioning tests for me and discovered I had hepatitis which I had did not have prior to taking tamoxifen. I am sure that this not an uncommon side effect because I have met several people who have suffered from the same thing after taking Tamoxifen. My oncologist had the nerve to ask me if I was using intravenous drugs or was involved in the sex trade. I will never go back to see him again!!! This is what you can expect as a response from someone who is a drug pusher for the pharmaceutical companies. More research needs to be done about the side effects of Tamoxifen on the liver and whether the pharmaceutical companies are liable because they did not require screening of any kind before prescribing Tamoxifen or while patients were taking it. I think it is outrageous that in the name of commerce these drug companies are allowed to poison people with their drugs. Everyone out there should be having liver functioning tests done to avoid liver cancer.
Diana
I was on Tamoxifen for 5 yrs after surgery for breast cancer. I stopped taking it 2007. I told my Dr. that my mind was not clear, & I was forgetting simple things about 2 yrs after I was on it she told me I need to stay on it the whole 5 yrs, & there was nothing else for me to take. I was independent & working full time as a respiratory therapist. I could not keep working because I was forgetting how to do my job. I was not safe to take care of patients. I don’t feel safe to drive. I don’t remember where I am going. I am on SSDI now. Please help me.
Suzanne
I have been on Tamoxifen for a year and had started to slur my words like I was drunk all the time. Also couldn’t find words. I just went off of it for a month, and what a difference, I have stopped slurring and my recall of words is improving. I also have had what someone above mentioned, Tamoxifen crystals and a detached vitreous in my eye that has just occurred in the last year. I normally can hike 15 miles in a day on vacation and my toe nails continue to fall off (1.5 yrs out from chemo for breast cancer.) Don’t know for sure what to blame thatt on but the memory, word slur thing sure seems related to Tamoxifen. Also bladder irritation has improved since I went off of it – – now the scary decision whether to stay off of it or not…. may the force be with us-
donita
i am homeless living in a motel and i have been taking tamoxifen since 2008 if you wish to contact me you can by phone but i now have major medical thanks to tamoxifen i now have a cather in me i can’t pee on my own. i have cysts all over my overies and a mass on my uteries i have to go to a obgyn clinc now on tues all this just came up last week and no regular dr will take me due to the fact that i have no insurance and all i can say gee now i have major medical and no one is there to help me not sure how i am going to pay 3 er vistis i need a laywer to help me i want a part of any settlement now because i need pain and suffering and major settlement money
Sue
Anyone lose the ability to sleep? I took Tamoxifen for 3 months and my sleep went from 8 hours to 3 – 4 hours the first day I took it. After 3 months, I am not capable of sleeping. My adrenaline and neurotransmitters were tested. My doctor told me sleep is not possible. Since I don’t sleep, my memory isn’t very good. I’d like to sue!
Kelly
I started taking Tamoxifen in the fall of 2009. After approx. 6 months I had developed severe memory loss. I was forced to withdraw from my college courses because I could not comprehend or retain the material I was learning. I had always been an excellent student. Many other dangerous incidents happened as well due to loss of cognition. I stopped taking Tamoxifen in the spring of 2010 hoping my quality of life would improve. I’m currently back in school and still struggling to comprehend and retain information. I believe I may have permenant damage. If anyone is aware of a lawsuit please contact me. Somebody needs to be held responsible for the damage this drug causing and the subject of pulling this drug off the market needs to be addressed as well.
Jeannette
I have taken Tamoxifen for 14 months, & have lost my hearing! I am 73, & have read 4 different web-sites that talk about Tamoxifen & Deafness, especially in older women! I will pick up my hearing aids this Tuesday, as I have 100% hearing loss in my left ear, & 60% in my right ear. NO-ONE ever mentioned this could be a side-effect!
Lisa
Is Kaiser Permenete her medical provider???? I ask because my father was murdered right in front of me, he suffered horrifically. Kaiser did it. The Pharmaceutical companies and their Drug pushing doctors, are getting rich at the expense of innocent Patients.
Gayla
My Macbook Pro’s glossy screen has been causing me ocular migraines a few times a week. I have been a computer user for 15 years + and no other screen or monitor has caused this kind of issue. Is there a lawsuit in progress against Apple for this? Is a lawsuit a possibility?
Cathy
My mother is dying from taking Tamoxifen. It ruined her liver! I am wondering if there is a lawsuit in progress for this drug. She may have 6 months left. She is suffering so bad and has lost everything in the process.
georgia
I am angry and relieved. Angry that tamoxiain is probably responsible for this terrible memory loss. I am embarrassed when I speak since I can’t find the correct words to express my thoughts. I have Masters Degrees and used to pride myself in the use of words. Now I don’t want to hold a conversation because of this situation. I am relieved to know that it was probably medication that caused this frustrating situation and not dementia. small victory!
james
My wife ruth was diagnosed w/breast cancer and had a one side mastectomy.our youngest daughter jamie had the genectic marker for breast cancer shortly after her mother was diagnosed.she took tamoxifen for 31/2 years before suffering a fatal stroke.her m.d. said it was posiblbly tamoxifen poisoning that caused the stroke that took her life at age 51.Her mom preceedher in deathe by 3 months of brain cancer.tamoxifen is a hidden killer of women.use caution if prescribed
Robin
Everyone that I have tried to explain what I’m going through to thinks I’m crazy, exaggerating or credits it to getting “old”. I’m 52!!! This should not be happening now. I sound like my mom when she talks and she is 76. I can’t remember simple words, lose track of conversations, tasks that I’m in the middle of and can’t remember what I’ve just read. The most horrifying thing to me is that I forget my husband’s and kid’s names. I’ll be talking to them or call them from their rooms and have to stop and picture their face in my mind to help remember their name. I’m scared to death. I took tamoxifen for almost 5 years. I have been on aromasin for 3 years now and if anything it has gotten worse.
Grace
I have been taking tamoxifen for about 7 months .I started noticing memory lost afetr 3 months .I asked my oncologist if it was a possible side effect and he told me that it was’nt.It has been getting worse to a point where I have trouble memorising or retaining info that I read..I am experiencing short time memory lost.Last week I got lost while driving to a destination that I have known for the past 20 years..It is to a point where I cannot concentrate ,forgetting passwords on my computer that I have been using daily..I have decided to stop taking it today for this is not quality life,its getting unbearable for me..
Marie
I began taking Tamoxifen at the end of November. I have had ongoing flu-like symptoms, fatigue, muscle pain/joint pain, headaches, problems with my vision that was not evident before, a short fuse that was never there and the memory loss. I am scared. I am a phd, academic and clinician and 48 years old with a huge breast cancer history in my family. I was diagnosed with atypical lobular hyperplasia and there are at least 5 more tumors inside. I feel like everything is slipping away and I have to take this for 5 years if it doesn’t kill me first. I am considering preventative bi-lateral mastectomy. I have always been the one to take care of others; including my partner who is also a breast cancer survivor.
Suzanne
I took Tamoxifen for only 8 months, had a hysterectomy and was put on Femara. I started having joint pain, numbness so I took the chance and have been off all breast cancer meds for 2 years now. I feel great. I just take vitamins that help balance my hormones. So far I am cancer free. I figure if the cancer ever came back there will be more advanced techniques available, like chemo that just attacks the bad cells and leaves the good ones alone. I’d rather take my chances and live a good quality life than in constant pain. Good luck to all. DoSpeak up to your Oncologist and listen to your body!
Laurie
I have been on Tamoxifen almost 3 years. I have terrible recall of conversations and what I am experiencing short and long term memory loss and it is getting worse. Everybody thinks its stress..but this is happening waaay too often and it is embarrassing and has definitely given me problems, more than I want to actually admit. I don’t know if your memory will improve, but it is definitely probably due to hormones. Make sure you check with your doctor. My mother says I get a totally lost look when this happens and it has been happening much more often…I understand embarrassment..I really do, I hope you are getting the patience and love and support you deserve…nobody seems to understand on my side of the planet except my folks.
MARY
IHAVE BEEN ON TAM FOR 4 YRS & MY MEMORY WITH NAMES HAS GOTTEN WORSE TO THE POINT OF EMBARASSMENT! I FEEL LIKE MY BRAIN & MOUTH ARE NOT WORKING TOGETHER AND I FORGET WHAT I AM GOING TO SAY. I HAVE ONLY 8MONTHS LEFT TO TAKE IT. WILL MY MEMORY IMPROVE?
Henrietta
I have been taking tamoxifen for 3 years now and I now have bone aches, High Blood Pressure, Memory lapse , and weight gain.
Margie
I was diagnosed with breast cancer April 2008. Stage 2, had 2 surgeries and 33 radiation treatments. Dr. insisted I take tamoxifen. I have never taken any medication, I have always been very healthy until the breast cancer. Started the tamoxifen Nov 2008, by early spring 2009 I was having problems thinking, my skin changed and the sun would cause me to blister. By summer 2009 my joints were swelling, my lips and tongue would swell. I was not taking anything but tamoxifen. My oncologist told me in August 2009 to stop taking the tamoxifen. I did so and in 30 days I was beginning to feel better. However, they said it was important for me to take it again to keep the cancer from coming back. I started again in early Sept and by early October I could hardly move around or get out of the bed. A toxicity specialist from UVA ran test on about 7 vials of blood, I was then called and told the tamoxifen had caused a drug induced lupus state. That was Oct 2009 and now it is Dec 2010 and I now have to take plaquenil and steriods every day. MRI’s show bone damage. The makers of tamoxifen do not tell you any of this. My life has been so difficult since taking tamoxifen and I was not even on it for an entire year. I feel certain it would have killed me if I had continued to take it.
Krista
My mother took Tamoxifen for more than two years. She died at age 56 on Dec 14/10. She spend 23 days in the hospital before she died. Her chemo did nothing as the cancer was in her liver and already to aggressive to fight. Her cancer spread very quickly. One thing she told me before she was admitted to the hospital was… “If something happens to me look into Tamoxifen class action suit.” My mother had been complaining for over 2 years… And, now her life has been taken.
MarieLynn
After taking Tamoxifan, i have had peripheral neuropathy in both feet, cognitive impairment- loosing words that should be familiar in conversation, memory loss, mood swings, etc. I have always been top of my game, but since taking Tamoxifan I can’t hike or walk any distance. Learning new information from lectures or reading is a hard chore. Information just doesn’t stick any more. I would like to know if other people have suffered peripheral neuropathy after taking Tam. and have there been law suits filed?
Connie
I have been on Tam for about 2 years now. I have always had a fantastic memory, now it is horrendous! Also, I jokingly say that I have become NOUN IMPAIRED, but it’s no joke! It’s impacted most aspects of my life. In particular, my work has suffered, I have always done extremely well in my work, which is very technical, things have changed drastically since TAM! One small interruption can caused me to lose track of a project I spent weeks working on!!!! This is aweful, a “catch 22” Do I go off the meds and take a chance of cancer re-occuring or stay on them and ruin my career???
sam
My wife had breast cancer, lumpectomy & chemo. She took Tomoxafin for 2-3?yrs. She was rediagnosed a few years later. She stopped all Tomoxafin. Chemo, Radiation,Gamma Knife. It came back in her Bones, Lungs, Brain & Spinal Cord. All the while have NO SIGNS in her routine tests(cancer markers). It came as a pain @ first. BUT she is not the FIRST I heard to get agressive brain tumors after TOMOXAFIN. She Died 34 months after we aere married 🙁 she was re-diagnosed 6 weeks after we were married. We got robbed of our life together, we knew it would end bad…
virginia
in 2007 i took tamoxifen for a year for my breast cancer.i was sick the whole time i was on it with severe memory loss.Both of my legs were in severe pain and the doctor said it was a side affect and it would go away but it never did. finally i took myself off of the tamoxifen and found another doctor.who gave me arimidex the pain still continued until finally i stopped taking the arimidex. my treatment was supposed to be for five years it only lasted for a year and a half. now i just keep up with my regular checkups and hope everything is ok. My legs are still in pain every day and i have to take pain meds just to go to work everyday and my memory isnt all that good.I allso have severe twitching and the doctors just act like i’m crazy.I am fify years old and i have never had pain this bad or that has lasted this long
wendy
im permantly disabled. memory loss sezuires bone loss you name it i have had every bad side affect other than liver cancer!!!!
lynn
Been on Tamoxifen for 2.5 years. Noted in past 6 months, an increasing inability to remember words (usually nouns/nasmes of objects). Also mood swings have worsened. “Flash” in anger over trivial incidents, followed by “emotional flatness.” My oncologist indicated (I see him in 5-6 months) that we will “talk” about the length of time I should stay on the drug. Fibve years, it seems, is not necessarily set in stone. ASK YOUR DOCTOR if you’re suffering cognitive loss.
Diane
I thought I was the only one with this problem of memory loss after starting tamoxifen. I have been on it for 3 years and feel my memory is getting worse. Hot flashes, depression, swelling, joint pain, but the one I hate the most is the memory loss. I just found this site but hope others post their reactions and any alternatives.
Helene
I too am experiencing terrible memory loss following tamoxifen. I can’t count the amount of times I said to my husband I think I’m starting with dementia. Im 55 years old and used tamoxifen for 3 1/2 years then quit due to the side effects. Sometimes I feel like I sound like an idiot. Simple words won’t come to me. There are days I could just cry out of frustration.
Mitch
Elizabeth, I’m not sure what you’re taking Tamoxifen for but I’ve tried it 3 times now for breast cancer & recently stopped it again bc of severe cognitive problems. I’m a grad student & need my brain at full capacity. On Tam. I feel like the village idiot. The alternative given by my onco (Lupron) is not tolerable for me either due to wild mood swings. I’m having to decide how important quality of life is to me. It seems to be a choice of increased chance of cancer reoccurence & feeling relatively normal vs. decreased chance & feeling crazy. If you’re an academic, the side effects can prove extremely difficult to live with.
Linda
Any one with information on the long term side effects of Tamoxifen please lets talk about it . Memory and Eye problems for me.
Linda
I also have memory loss of words , misspell words, Had my vitrious of both eyes detach, have had personality changes, and have had to stop work. I only took temoxifen for a year and stopped when the vitrous detachment occured,because my optomatrist told me only very old persons had this condition and i was 57 at the time not 84. The doctor told me that the tomoxifen would block the hormons from reaching my breast , he did not tell me that all hormone production would stop. I had not started menopause at the time. The hot flashes have been debilitating. Any one else out there with these problems.? Has there been a class action law suit.???
Susan
May be this explains why I now frequently misspell words. I was always at the top of my class in spelling when I was in school. Now I always have to use spell check. This started after taking tamoxifen.
Robin
I have been taking tamoxifen since Jan. 2008 and have noticed reduction in memory skills, i.e., losing the “right” word in conversation, short term memory recall.
Julia
I had a double mastectomy on 2001 after kemo treatment I took Arimidex for 4 years and the doctor change it to Aromasin due to a lot of pain in my joints. After taking Aromasin for 6 years I had develop Parkinson’s and my doctor decide to cancel the Aromasin on 2009 because my Neurology think that what have create my Parkinson’s is the Aromasin pill . Now I have been with the Parkinson’s since 2007 and I am with dissabily retirement because of the tremors on my left side.
Cyndi
I took Tamoxifen for 5 yrs. I do have memory loss now. I also just found out that taking tamoxifen & antidepressents make the tamoxifen not work. Took Prozac while taking tamoxifen. Now I am wondering what might happen next, if the tamoxifen didn’t work. I am going to talk with my onocoligist.
Elizabeth
I have been on tamoxifen since 10/07. Recently I have wondered if I have been experiencing a form of early dementia…I am currently teaching at the ocllege level and I have poor recall of the material that I presented at prior classes, my writing has suffered, I don’t have the saame abilities to ‘multi-task’—I have to do things in a much nore linear fashion…and not do too many things. An obgyn nurse practitioner mentioned this study. I’m not sure where to go from here…I am also on Zoloft. Any thoughts out there?
Cathy
There have been no studies of the side effects of Tamoxifen use in men but I now have an explanation for the cognitive loss my husband suffered while receiving this treatment for Male Breast Cancer.
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