Acute tamoxifen-induced depression and its prevention with venlafaxine.
BACKGROUND
Tamoxifen is a first-generation selective estrogen-receptor modulator that has been shown to decrease recurrence and prolong survival among premenopausal women with breast cancer; however, it also results in estrogen-insufficiency symptoms, the most common being hot flushes.


OBJECTIVE
The authors present a case in which tamoxifen apparently produced acute depression symptoms in a 34-year-old breast cancer patient.


METHODS
After two aborted periods of tamoxifen treatment, the patient was started on venlafaxine as a preventive measure before tamoxifen treatment was begun again.


RESULTS
After 2 months of treatment with venlafaxine, tamoxifen was initiated for a third time, with no recurrence of her previous mood symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of depression may result in better compliance with tamoxifen regimens and, thus, more favorable outcomes.
Bourque
François
F
Dept. of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Karama
Sherif
S
Looper
Karl
K
Cohen
Victor
V
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D003511:Cyclohexanols; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D013629:Tamoxifen; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride