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What Kind of Doctor Prescribes Tamoxifen?

Tamoxifen, sold under the brand name Nolvadex, is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). It selectively activates estrogen's effects on certain cells, such as bone and liver cells, and blocks estrogen's effects on other cells, such as breast cells.

  1. Breast Cancer

    • Oncologists prescribe tamoxifen to treat certain kinds of breast cancer in both men and women. Sometimes oncologists, gynecologists or internists also prescribe it to prevent breast cancer in high-risk women.

    Menopause & Infertility

    • According to BreastCancer.org, internists and other doctors occasionally prescribe tamoxifen to prevent bone loss after menopause. MedlinePlus says fertility specialists may use it to stimulate egg production in infertile women. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved tamoxifen for these purposes, however.

    High Cholesterol

    • Rarely, internists or other doctors prescribe tamoxifen to lower cholesterol, reports BreastCancer.org, a use the FDA also hasn't approved.

    For Children

    • Pediatricians and other specialists sometimes prescribe tamoxifen to treat McCune-Albright syndrome--a genetic disorder that causes bone problems, early sexual development and odd skin pigmentation.

    Usage

    • Doctors usually recommend taking tamoxifen once or twice a day, at the same time each day.

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