New Study: Antidepressants Commonly Prescribed with Tamoxifen Put Women at Much Higher Risk for Recurrent Bre...(currence by up to 50 percent. It's the ...),Health

Date:5/30/2009

currence by up to 50 percent. It's the only anti-estrogen available for prevention of breast cancer recurrence in pre-menopausal women and is one of several anti-estrogens used to treat post-menopausal breast cancer patients. Approximately 500,000 women take tamoxifen in the U.S., with 80,000 new patients starting on the treatment annually. Nearly 30 percent of women taking tamoxifen also use an antidepressant.

Alerting Physicians

While evidence has been mounting that CYP2D6 inhibitors can reduce the effectiveness of tamoxifen, many physicians treating breast cancer patients are still unaware of the problem or may not know that their patient has been prescribed a strong inhibiting antidepressant by another physician. In an effort to ensure that women get the full benefit of tamoxifen, Medco has been alerting physicians when a patient has been prescribed both tamoxifen and a moderate or potent CYP2D6 inhibitor antidepressant.

For more information about the study, visit www.medcoresearch.com.

About Medco

Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MHS) is a leading health care company, serving the needs of more than 60 million people. Medco, the world's most advanced pharmacy(R), provides clinically driven pharmacy services designed to improve the quality of care and lower total health care costs for private and public employers, health plans, labor unions and government agencies of all sizes, and for individuals served by Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans. Through its unique Medco Therapeutic Resource Centers(R) and the Accredo Health Group, Medco's Specialty Pharmacy, the company is creating innovative models for the care of patients with chronic and complex conditions. Medco is a leader in the emerg
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SOURCE Medco Health Solutions, Inc. Copyright©2009 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

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