Tamoxifen: 1001 uses of cancer drug extends to bipolar disorder

08 May 2008

Tamoxifen is the world’s best-selling drug for breast cancer. It’s also used to treat infertility, it’s given to men with gynecomastia (enlarged breasts), while bodybuilders take it in order to prevent the problem.

Now it’s being given to patients to treat their bipolar disorder (manic depression). It has been tested on a group of 66 bipolar patients, half of whom were given a placebo. At the end of a 21-day trial, those in the tamoxifen group reported far fewer attacks.

(Source: Archives of General Psychiatry, 2008; 65: 255-63)

Related WDDTY Content

Major breast cancer drug causes cancer

It’s been used for nearly 30 years as one of the major drugs for preventing a recurrence of breast cancer, but researchers have finally discovered tha...

Tamoxifen: - The cancer drug that causes hepatitis (and cancer, too)

The drug company giveth, and it taketh away, too. The thought came to mind after we looked at the success of the drug tamoxifen in fighting - and pre...

Long term tamoxifen of little benefit in breast cancer

Breast cancer patients have nothing to gain from taking tamoxifen for longer than five years, according to a new study. ...

Taking tamoxifen for breast cancer - what are the risks?

Q:Can you tell me about the risks of tamoxifen for women at risk of developing breast cancer? C. H., London. ... ...

Cancer drug tamoxifen takes another knock

The reputation of the breast cancer drug tamoxifen has taken another serious knock following the publication of two European trials that show it is no...

Tamoxifen

The breast cancer drug tamoxifen-marketed in the UK as Emblon, Noltam and Tamofen, and as Nolvadex in the US and the UK-has been enjoying some favoura...