Giving breast cancer patients cough syrup might tell doctors how well they will respond to a vital drug.
Women often respond differently to Tamoxifen, which can mean they need a higher dose to get the same effect.
Researchers from the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam noticed the body deals with the active ingredient of cough syrup the same way - offering an easier way to make this calculation.
Charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer said it might cut side-effects for women.
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{Dextromethorphan ... often the active ingredient of cough syrup} is broken down in exactly the same way as tamoxifen, and, is relatively harmless in comparison with the powerful anti-cancer drug.
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more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-11790275Hmmm ... sounds like an idea which might be extended to other drugs.