Tamoxifen and sertraline

HI Calicopaws welcome to the forum and that sounds pretty grim for you.

I wasn't aware that you couldn't take Sertraline and Tamoxifen together. Can I ask who advised that you stop this and what reasoning did they give for this?  My main reason for asking is that stopping these types of drugs is not recommended in a sudden way like has happened for you as  they can cause some real symptoms for us , and as a result they should instead be withdrawn gradually.

I would be tempted to get in touch with the GP and have a chat with them re this as they can prescibe  other  Anti Depressants for you. Please don't hang about with this as your symptoms may get worse  especially as you have been on these for such a  along time.

Hi

My oncologist prescribed sertraline for my hot flushes whilst  on Tamoxifen , I do believe  there may be a small effect on the Tamoxifen but not enough for concern , so unsure why you have been taken off it ? There are also many other different types of anti-depressants which your GP could prescribe - I would definitely have a word with your local pharmacist , they know better than anyone the different interactions between drugs ? You really shouldn’t be suffering ,..,

Jo x

Hi Jo, 

That's interesting to know. Can I ask what dose of sertraline you are on?

I was told by my oncologist to stop taking the sertraline immediately, but I did half the dose for two weeks before I stopped it. I suffered with PND after the birth of my eldest child. 

I've been off it a week now and feel worse and worse. I know taking Tamoxifen is important, but I can't feel like this for the next five years.

I will try to speak to my GP tomorrow. 

Thank you 

Hi Gail, 

Thank you for your reply. 

The leaflet I was given before I took Tamoxifen said you couldn't take anti-depressants with Tamoxifen. I asked the oncologist and he didn't even seem to know I was on them despite it being in my medical history! 

He told me to stop them immediately, but I knew that wasn't great, so I asked a GP at my surgery. She said to half the dose for two weeks and then stop, which I did. But that may have been too soon?

I will try the GP again tomorrow. x

Hi

I was initially on 20, reduced to 10 as the 20 made me feel ill - mine was not for depression and I came off them when I had a reconstruction - but it was prescribed by the oncologist …. if there is an issue it may be worth discussing if you could look at having one of the AI drugs such as Letrozole, but you would need to be put into the menopause with injections or ovary removal, I guess it depends on your age if that might be a possibility ? 

But you really should make sure that whatever you do is the right thing for you, and if you are depressed that is really important to get under control, hopefully your GP will be helpful.

Jo x

Is that instead of Tamoxifen? I'm 43, but I guess it's an option. Would quite happily not have periods anymore!! 

Will have to find out. 

I really hope I can speak to someone tomorrow.

Thank you so much for all your help and reassurance.

Rosie x

Hi Calicopaws

I’m also taking an SSRI for depression and anxiety long term. I’m on venlafaxine and have now been given Letrozole as a hormone inhibitor. 
Sertraline can lower the effectiveness of Tamoxifen. Speak to your oncologist and GP. 

Rachel

Hi Rachel, 

How are you on Letrozole, as I have heard that it can make you feel depressed and anxious?  Does Venlafaxine combat that?

Have had a terrible night with only maybe a couple of hours sleep. I feel so low and very nauseous. 

I cannot continue like this. 

Rosie x

As jowoomot says, there are lots of other drugs they could put you on if tamoxifen interacts with sertraline. They should have really given you the option. I was asked whether I wanted tamoxifen or zoladex injections (to shut off my ovaries and put me into menopause) plus an AI - I chose the latter and I'm on exemestane as my AI

The sudden menopause was intense but it was also during chemo so I think intensified even more! 

Definitely go back to your oncologist to see if there is an alternative. I think tamoxifen can interact with quite a few drugs.

The only thing I'd caution is that a medical menopause is obviously not a walk in the park and I have had spells of feeling a bit low, which is not at all like me, but I would have thought with the sertraline, you'd be OK. Your oncologist should know. I think tamoxifen causes menopause symptoms too anyway.

Good luck, you don't have to suffer and as others have said, enquire today, you shouldn't need to feel like you are and you can get it sorted

Thank you. I wasn't given any alternatives, nor did the registrar oncologist I saw seem to know much about my medical history. 

I shouldn't thought to question it, but thought they would know best. 

Am waiting for my GP to call me back. 

x