Mushrooms And Tamoxifen: Safe Or Not?

Mushrooms are part of the fungus family and are used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat illnesses. They are also used as complementary and alternative therapies for cancer treatment. While mushrooms are a good source of vitamins and contain essential amino acids, they can also be sold as supplements and extracts. These mushroom supplements are derived from functional mushrooms, which are known for their potent bioactive compounds that promote health and vitality. However, these bioactive compounds can interact with certain medications, including tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) used to treat all stages of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

Turkey tail mushrooms may negatively interact with tamoxifen

Turkey tail mushrooms, also known as Coriolus versicolor, are commonly used in Asia and are now being commercialized in Europe for different purposes, including cancer treatments. Turkey tail mushrooms may negatively interact with tamoxifen. Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) used to treat all stages of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in women and men. It blocks estrogen's effects on hormone-receptor-positive breast tumor cells by occupying the cell's estrogen receptors.

Turkey tail mushrooms may change the way the body processes tamoxifen and influence how effective it is. This is because the mushroom interacts with the CYP2D6 enzyme, which plays a major role in converting tamoxifen into an active metabolite called endoxifen, which is what makes the drug effective. Inhibiting the CYP2D6 enzyme prevents the adequate production of endoxifen from tamoxifen, thereby reducing the drug's efficacy.

It is important to note that there is a lack of research on the interaction between turkey tail mushrooms and tamoxifen. More observational controlled studies are needed to fully understand the impact of this interaction on the oncologic population by ethnic group.

If you are taking tamoxifen, it is recommended to consult your doctor before adding new supplements, such as turkey tail mushrooms, to your diet. This is especially important as tamoxifen is known to interact with several commonly used drugs and over-the-counter nutritional supplements.

Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM)

SERMs are a class of drugs that act on estrogen receptors (ERs) and are more tissue-specific than pure ER agonists or antagonists. They can selectively inhibit or stimulate estrogen-like action in various tissues, producing estrogenic or antiestrogenic effects depending on the tissue. SERMs interact with receptors by diffusing into cells and binding to ERα or ERβ subunits, resulting in dimerization and structural changes that make it easier for them to interact with estrogen response elements. This leads to the activation of estrogen-inducible genes and the mediation of estrogen effects. SERMs can also be used in combination with conjugated estrogens for the management of estrogen deficiency and menopause symptoms.

The use of SERMs for gender-affirming hormone therapy is relatively new and uncommon due to limited research into their long-term efficacy and safety. SERMs can be used to achieve partial feminization in individuals who desire certain feminine traits without significant breast growth. They do not suppress testosterone production, so they are often used alongside antiandrogens.

While Tamoxifen is a useful treatment, it is important to be aware of potential drug interactions. For example, it should not be taken with Arimidex or Femara. Additionally, certain herbs and mushrooms can interact with Tamoxifen. Turkey tail, reishi, maitake, shiitake, and other medicinal mushrooms are commonly used by cancer patients, and they may negatively impact how the body processes Tamoxifen. It is crucial to consult a doctor before adding supplements to your diet when already taking medications.

Tamoxifen interacts with the CYP2D6 enzyme

Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) used to treat all stages of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in women and men. It is also used to lower the risk of breast cancer recurrence in individuals who have had surgery for estrogen-receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. The drug works by blocking the effects of estrogen on hormone-receptor-positive breast tumour cells.

The pharmacokinetics of tamoxifen are complex, involving many enzymes and transporter proteins. Tamoxifen interacts with the CYP2D6 enzyme, which is part of the cytochrome P450 superfamily (CYP450). This enzyme is responsible for the metabolism of many commonly prescribed drugs, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, analgesics, and beta-blockers. CYP2D6 is the main enzyme that catalyses the rate-limiting step in the metabolism of tamoxifen to its potent metabolite, endoxifen. Endoxifen has a much higher affinity for the estrogen receptor than tamoxifen, and it is also more potent in suppressing estrogen-dependent tumour cell growth.

The response to tamoxifen therapy can vary widely between individuals due to several factors, including drug interactions and interindividual differences in drug metabolism driven by polymorphic germline CYP2D6 variant alleles. Carriers of certain variants in CYP2D6 have been shown to have reduced enzyme activity and lower circulating levels of active metabolites. This can lead to reduced tamoxifen metabolism, potentially impacting the drug's efficacy.

It is important to note that patients who are clear beneficiaries of known CYP2D6 inhibitors might want to avoid tamoxifen due to potential pharmacologic interactions. Conversely, patients receiving tamoxifen therapy may want to avoid the concurrent use of known CYP2D6 inhibitors if suitable alternatives are available.

Tamoxifen is used to treat breast cancer

Tamoxifen is a highly effective medication used to treat breast cancer in both women and men. It is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that works by blocking the effects of estrogen on hormone receptor-positive breast tumour cells. This can help to stop the growth of breast tumours that require estrogen to multiply. Tamoxifen can be used to treat all stages of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and can also be used post-surgery to lower the risk of cancer recurrence.

The drug is often recommended for people with a high risk of breast cancer due to family history or mutated BRCA genes. It has been shown to lower the risk of breast cancer in the opposite breast by 50% and reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence by 30-50% in premenopausal people and 40-50% in postmenopausal people. Tamoxifen can also reduce the risk of an initial breast cancer diagnosis by up to 40%.

It is important to note that Tamoxifen should not be taken with certain other medications, such as Arimidex or Femara. Additionally, some natural products and herbs, including certain mushrooms, may negatively interact with Tamoxifen and impact its effectiveness. For example, Turkey Tail mushrooms may change the way the body processes Tamoxifen. Therefore, it is crucial to consult a doctor before taking any new supplements or medications while already on Tamoxifen.

Overall, Tamoxifen is a widely used and effective treatment for breast cancer, helping to lower the risk of cancer occurrence and recurrence. However, due to potential interactions, it is important to be cautious and consult a healthcare professional before starting or changing any medications or supplements.

There is limited research on mushroom extract interactions with medicines

Mushrooms are part of the fungus family and are used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat illnesses. They are also used as complementary and alternative therapies for cancer treatment. However, there is limited research on mushroom extract interactions with medicines.

Mushrooms such as button and flat mushrooms are commonly eaten in the UK and are a good source of vitamins and essential amino acids. They can be eaten fresh or dried or taken as an extract in food supplements. There is no evidence that they can treat cancer. Shiitake mushroom extracts are generally considered safe, although there are some reports of diarrhea or bloating. There have been no reports of side effects from consuming regular amounts of mushrooms.

Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) used to treat all stages of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in women and men. It is the most commonly used hormone therapeutic drug for this type of breast cancer. It is important to note that tamoxifen interacts with the CYP2D6 enzyme, which is necessary for converting tamoxifen into an active metabolite called endoxifen, making the drug effective. Some drugs, including certain antidepressants, inhibit the CYP2D6 enzyme, preventing the adequate production of endoxifen.

There is some evidence of potential interactions between tamoxifen and various natural products, including mushrooms, in pre-clinical studies. However, the relevant clinical evidence is still lacking, and further studies are needed to evaluate the potential interactions in clinical settings. A retrospective study conducted at the University of Coimbra in Portugal found that mushrooms like Coriolus, Maitake, Shiitake, and Reishi were among the natural products consumed by patients taking tamoxifen. Additionally, some patients take medicinal mushrooms, such as Coriolus versicolor (turkey tail), which may negatively interact with tamoxifen and influence its effectiveness.

It is crucial to consult a doctor or oncologist before taking any medications or supplements, including mushroom extracts, to ensure safe and effective use.

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