Breast cancer is a potentially fatal disease that involves an overgrowth of breast cancer cells. A breast lump, changes in the appearance or color of the breast, unintentional weight loss and arm swelling on the affected side are just some breast cancer signs. Drugs for breast cancer exist to halt this disease's progression.
Tamoxifen
Tamoxifen, commonly sold as Soltamox, acts as a medication to prevent the female hormone estrogen from affecting tumor cells. Specifically, estrogen causes breast tumor growth.
Drugs.com indicates that tamoxifen's less serious side effects include hot flashes, swelling of the feet or hands, a sore throat, a cough, dizziness and a headache. This drug can also lead to thinning of the hair, weight loss, depression and weakness. Talk to a doctor if these side effects persist longer than a week.
Tamoxifen's serious side effects include menstrual irregularities, leg pain or swelling, easy bruising or bleeding, body aches, fevers, chills and chest pain. In some instances, tamoxifen may cause pelvic pain or pressure and stomach pain. Notify a physician when tamoxifen leads to these effects.
Suffering from such medical problems as liver disease, cataracts and a stroke may require alteration in tamoxifen's dosage.
Letrozole
Letrozole, commonly sold as Femara, is another medication that treats breast cancer. According to Drugs.com, this medication actually lowers estrogen levels so that the breast cancer does not progress.
Letrozole's less serious side effects include headache, night sweats, nausea, swelling of the feet, hands or ankles and weight gain. This drug can also lead to weakness, fatigue and joint or muscle pain. Notify a doctor if letrozole's less serious side effects last for more than five days.
An allergic response to letrozole can also occur. Signs of an allergic reaction include trouble breathing, swelling of the throat, lips or tongue and hives. Seek emergency care if these signs develop.
Do not use letrozole while pregnant as it can harm an unborn baby. It is unclear whether letrozole passes into breast milk.
Trastuzumab
Trastuzumab, commonly sold as Herceptin, is an injectable drug that manages breast cancer. MedlinePlus, a website of the National Institutes of Health, indicates that this medication is a monoclonal antibody that halts cancer cell growth.
Trastuzumab's less serious side effects include fatigue, pale skin, acne and depression. Additional effects include nosebleeds, stomach pain, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea and muscle, joint, back or bone pain. Call a doctor if trastuzumab causes these effects.
This medication's serious side effects include fever, chills and a sore throat. Notify a doctor if trastuzumab leads to these effects.
