03 Dec No Increase Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence With Antidepressants While On Tamoxifen
Dr. Haque
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Reina Haque, PhD, MPH
Research scientist
Department of Research & Evaluation
Kaiser Permanente Southern California
Pasadena Calif
Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Haque: Tamoxifen is a commonly prescribed generic drug taken by women with breast cancer to reduce their chances of developing a recurrence. Tamoxifen is recommended for five years, but has notable side effects, including hot flashes, night sweats and depression. Since hormone replacement therapy is not recommended to alleviate these symptoms in breast-cancer survivors, antidepressants have been increasingly prescribed for relief. Almost half of the 2.4 million breast-cancer survivors in the U.S. take antidepressants.
However, previous studies have suggested that antidepressants reduce tamoxifen’s effectiveness in lowering subsequent breast-cancer risk. This study was conducted to determine whether taking tamoxifen and antidepressants (in particular, paroxetine) concomitantly is associated with an increased risk of recurrence or contralateral breast cancer.
Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Haque: Our study examined detailed pharmacy data and the results are reassuring for breast cancer survivors who benefit from their antidepressants. Our data does not suggest statistically significantly increased risk of subsequent breast cancer in women who concurrently used tamoxifen and antidepressants, including paroxetine.
Given that thousands of breast-cancer survivors struggle with depression, sleep disturbance, and other side effects while on tamoxifen, our study should help alleviate any concerns physicians have about prescribing antidepressants to their breast-cancer patients to help improve their quality of life.
Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Haque: Although we accounted for other types of drugs that could interfere with tamoxifen’s effectiveness, future larger studies should determine if using tamoxifen with other common medications impacts recurrence risk. Examples of such drugs include antihypertensives, anti-inflammatories, antipsychotics and pain medications.
Citation:
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Reina Haque (2015). No Increase Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence With Antidepressants While On Tamoxifen
Last Updated on December 3, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD