''N'',''N''-Desmethyltamoxifen is a

metabolite In biochemistry, a metabolite is an intermediate or end product of metabolism. The term is usually used for small molecules. Metabolites have various functions, including fuel, structure, signaling, stimulatory and inhibitory effects on enzymes, c ...

tamoxifen Tamoxifen, sold under the brand name Nolvadex among others, is a selective estrogen receptor modulator used to prevent breast cancer in women and men. It is also being studied for other types of cancer. It has been used for Albright syndrome ...

, a

selective estrogen receptor modulator Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), also known as estrogen receptor agonists/antagonists (ERAAs), are a class of drugs that act on estrogen receptors (ERs). Compared to pure ER agonists–antagonists (e.g., full agonists and silent ...

(SERM). It is formed from ''N''-desmethyltamoxifen and is an intermediate in the conversion of tamoxifen and ''N''-desmethyltamoxifen into

norendoxifen Norendoxifen, also known as 4-hydroxy-''N'',''N''-didesmethyltamoxifen, is a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor (AI) of the triphenylethylene group that was never marketed. It is an active metabolite of the selective estrogen receptor modulator ( ...

(4-hydroxy-''N'',''N''-desmethyltamoxifen), an

active metabolite An active metabolite, or pharmacologically active metabolite is a biologically active metabolite of a xenobiotic substance, such as a drug or environmental chemical. Active metabolites may produce therapeutic effects, as well as harmful effects. ...

of tamoxifen.

References

Amines Aromatase inhibitors Hormonal antineoplastic drugs Human drug metabolites Prodrugs Triphenylethylenes {{Antineoplastic-drug-stub