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. 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. Learn about tamoxifen (Nolvadex) usage and dosing. Read the latest news and reviews about the drug as well as potential side effects and popular alternatives. 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 (ta MOX i fen) prevents and treats breast cancer. It works by blocking the hormone estrogen in breast tissue, which prevents breast cancer cells from spreading or growing. Tamoxifen (Nolvadex), a hormone therapy drug, is used to treat hormone-receptor positive breast cancers. 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, synthetic hormone, used primarily in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, that inhibits the growth-promoting actions of estrogen in breast cancer cells. 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. 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.