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Comparing Adriamycin vs Tamoxifen

View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Adriamycin Remove Adriamycin from your drug comparison Tamoxifen Remove Tamoxifen from your drug comparison
View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Adriamycin doxorubicin Remove Adriamycin from your drug comparison Tamoxifen Remove Tamoxifen from your drug comparison

Prescribed for Breast Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Neuroblastoma, Thyroid Cancer, Stomach Cancer, Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Ovarian Cancer, Osteosarcoma, Lymphoma, Multiple... View more

Prescribed for Breast Cancer - Adjuvant, Breast Cancer - Metastatic, Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer - Male, Breast Cancer - Palliative, McCune-Albright Syndrome, Precocious Puberty. May also be... View more

Prescription only

Prescription only

Ratings & Reviews

Recent helpful reviews
6.6
6 Reviews

For Breast Cancer: I did not experience any side effects, but based on a clinical trial result, I walked at a brisk pace for an hour most days to avoid cardiotoxicity.

9 / 10

For Breast Cancer: Adriamycin made me really weak and I had to have blood transfusions. I had 4 doses. I'm coming up on 3 years cancer free so I think it worked well. I'm concerned about the long term side effects.

9 / 10
5.6
83 Reviews

For Breast Cancer: I was diagnosed with a stage 2 Ductal carcinoma. Lumpectomy and 2 lymph nodes were removed. I was started on Tamoxifen 30 days before my surgery. Since my cancer was hormone driven. Tamoxifen was required in addition of 25 rounds of radiation. Hot flashes that I can feel coming on worse with stress. Problems with my fingers and pain in my joints. My finger nails crumble and splinter easily. I am always fatigued and have to drink an energy drink just to function. I have had 6 biopsies since my surgery. I have a lot of scar tissue. My skin still burns 4 years after my radiation. I will be glad when I am off this drug. God Bless All Of Whom That Are Going Through It. One lady said to me more birthdays.

5 / 10

For Breast Cancer: I have been on Tamoxifen for about a year now. I have the hot flashes and the sweats, and oh yes the mood swings, but now I'm experiencing severe temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ). I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem on this medication. If so what did you do to make it go away. 2 weeks of this condition is 2 weeks to long. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for any suggestions you may have.

5 / 10

View all 6 reviews

View all 83 reviews

Drug Class

Side Effects

Common side effects include: severe nausea and vomiting, nausea and vomiting, and alopecia.

See the full Adriamycin side effects document.

Commonly reported side effects include: amenorrhea, fluid retention, hot flash, nausea, vaginal discharge, vaginal hemorrhage, weight loss, and skin changes.

See the full tamoxifen side effects document.

Pricing and Coupons

* Prices are without insurance
Quantity 5 mL
Dosage 2 mg/mL
Per Unit* $2.91 - $3.24
Cost* $14.54 - $16.22

View all Adriamycin prices and generic prices

Quantity 30 each
Dosage 10 mg
Per Unit* $0.95
Cost* $28.37

View all tamoxifen prices

Get free Discount Card

Get free Discount Card

Generic Availability

Yes

Yes (this medicine)

Dosage Form(s) Available
  • Intravenous powder for injection
  • Intravenous solution
  • Oral tablet

Brand Names
Other doxorubicin brands include: Adriamycin PFS, Adriamycin RDF Soltamox

Half Life

The half-life of a drug is the time taken for the plasma concentration of a drug to reduce to half its original value.

30 hours

231 hours

CSA Schedule**

View glossary of terms.
N
Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
N
Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.

Pregnancy Category
D
Category D Positive evidence of risk

See the full Pregnancy Warnings document.
D
Category D Positive evidence of risk

See the full Pregnancy Warnings document.

FDA Alerts

N/A

N/A

Drug Interactions

A total of 476 drugs are known to interact with Adriamycin:

  • 87 major drug interactions (243 brand and generic names)
  • 361 moderate drug interactions (1208 brand and generic names)
  • 28 minor drug interactions (115 brand and generic names)

A total of 370 drugs are known to interact with tamoxifen:

  • 99 major drug interactions (373 brand and generic names)
  • 262 moderate drug interactions (867 brand and generic names)
  • 9 minor drug interactions (33 brand and generic names)

Alcohol/Food/Lifestyle Interactions

No known alcohol/food interactions. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
  • Talk to your doctor before using tamoxifen with soy products. There is some evidence that... View more

Disease Interactions

First Approval Date

N/A

December 30, 1977

WADA Class

View World Anti-Doping Agency classifications.

N/A

More Information

Consumer Resources

Professional Resources

Related Treatment Guide

** The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer