What Is Tamoxifen and How Does It Work? Tamoxifen is used to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic breast cancer), to treat breast cancer in certain patients after surgery and radiation therapy, and to reduce the chances of breast cancer in high-risk patients. What is tamoxifen? Tamoxifen is a hormonal therapy drug. It is used to treat breast cancer. It may sometimes be used to treat other conditions. It is best to read this information with our general information about hormonal therapy and the type of cancer you have. Tamoxifen (brand names: Nolvadex, Soltamox) is a medicine that blocks the effects of the hormone estrogen (called a selective estrogen receptor modulator, or SERM). Tamoxifen is a first choice among doctors for treating women who have not yet gone through menopause. Tamoxifen is an antiestrogen drug used in the treatment of breast cancer. It blocks the activity of estrogen, helping to stop the growth of some tumors. Tamoxifen is a nonsteroidal SERM of the triphenylethylene family and was structurally derived from diethylstilbestrol -like estrogens and antiestrogens such as chlorotrianisene and ethamoxytriphetol. [103][104][105][106] Initially, clomifene was synthesized, and tamoxifen was developed subsequently. [103][105][106] Tamoxifen is closely related. Tamoxifen is used to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body in men and women. It is used to treat early breast cancer in women who have already been treated with surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy. Tamoxifen blocks the actions of estrogen in breast tissue and is used to treat estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer in adults and to lower the risk of breast cancer in women with DCIS or at high risk. Tamoxifen is a prescription medicine that is used to treat breast cancer in men and women. It is in a class known as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) and is used to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Tamoxifen is a hormone therapy drug. You might have it as a treatment for breast cancer. Find out about how you have it and possible side effects. Overview: Tamoxifen is commonly used to treat certain types of breast cancer. It is also used to lower your risk of invasive breast cancer and keep some breast cancers from coming back. It blocks.