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SERM Side Effects

Meaning

SERM Side Effects are the range of unintended and adverse physiological consequences that can arise from the use of Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs), a class of drugs that act as both agonists and antagonists depending on the target tissue. Because SERMs exhibit mixed tissue-specific activity, their side effect profile reflects this duality, presenting both estrogen-like and anti-estrogen-like effects in different organs. Common adverse events include hot flashes, which reflect anti-estrogenic action in the hypothalamus, and an increased risk of venous thromboembolism, due to estrogenic effects on clotting factors in the liver. Clinicians must carefully weigh these risks against the therapeutic benefits for conditions like osteoporosis or breast cancer.