Generic drugs causing unexpected side-effects

Thank you for highlighting the increased risk of cancer recurring in patients who do not take the prescribed hormonal treatment, such as tamoxofin, compared to those who do (Irish Examiner, Sept 5).

I have been taking tamoxofin for four years and, last year, I noticed new side effects from the treatment, including hair loss, weight gain and pains in my hands.

I checked out a few websites and it seems many women are experiencing similar side effects, for the first time.

One study shows that the generic tamoxofin can cause unwanted side effects, including arthalgia, which, when the subjects were switched to Nolvadex (the original form of tamoxofin), disappeared.

Most people, myself included, trusted the generics to have the same ingredients as the original. It seems this is not so, and I urge anyone who is suffering unwanted side effects to change the brand of tamoxofin, rather than give up the medication.

Carol Nash

Newcastle

Galway