What side effect should be monitored in patients taking Tamoxifen?

In patients taking Tamoxifen, monitoring for hypercalcemia is important because Tamoxifen can increase serum calcium levels, particularly in women with pre-existing conditions such as bone metastasis. Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator used primarily to treat and prevent certain types of breast cancer by blocking estrogen receptors in breast tissue. However, it can also lead to an increase in bone mineral density and stimulate bone turnover, which may result in elevated calcium levels in the blood.

Monitoring for hypercalcemia is particularly crucial because high levels of calcium can lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, confusion, and even renal failure in severe cases. This makes it essential for healthcare providers to regularly check serum calcium levels in patients receiving Tamoxifen, especially those with risk factors for bone-related complications.

While other side effects like hypertension and anemia can occur in patients taking various medications, they are not as directly linked to Tamoxifen as hypercalcemia is. Tamoxifen is not typically associated with hypocalcemia or anemia as its primary concerns, making hypercalcemia the most relevant side effect to monitor in this context.