The 70-year-old woman who is considering coming off of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) for the reduction of postmenopausal discomfort asks the nurse what advantage is offered by tamoxifen, also called a "designer estrogen." What would be the best response by the nurse?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that can act as an agonist or antagonist of estrogen depending on the tissue. It can provide the benefits of estrogen to some tissues while blocking the effects of estrogen in others, such as the breast tissue where it is used to prevent breast cancer recurrence in women with hormone receptor-positive tumors. Tamoxifen does have potential side effects, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and an increased risk for blood clots and endometrial cancer. It is typically taken daily, not once a week. It does not improve skin turgor or complexion.

The 70-Year-Old Woman Who Is Considering Coming Off of Menopausal