Antidepressant warning for breast cancer survivors

Sun, 31 May 2009 16:10:42 GMT

http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?i...tionid=3510210


Breast cancer survivors are at a greater risk of recurrence if they use certain antidepressants while they are taking the anti-cancer drug tamoxifen.

Antidepressants have long been prescribed in patients taking tamoxifen -- a medication credited for reducing the breast cancer recurrence risk by 50 percent -- with the aim of preventing tamoxifen-induced hot flashes.

A new study, however, claims that some antidepressants reduce the effectiveness of tamoxifen in preventing the recurrence of breast cancer.

According to the study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology, there is a significant drug interaction between tamoxifen and known CYP2D6 inhibitors including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as fluoxetine and paroxetine.

Drugs that interfere with the CYP2D6 pathway are reported to reduce blood levels of endoxifen in women taking tamoxifen, doubling the risk of recurrence in the first two years after starting the anti-cancer drug.

Taking Celexa, Lexapro or Luvox with tamoxifen, however, was not associated with additional breast cancer risk in these women, indicating that not all antidepressants pose this problem.

Scientists concluded that women on tamoxifen should consult their doctors before starting any antidepressants for tackling their flashes.