This randomized phase II trial studies how well tamoxifen citrate works compared with z-endoxifen hydrochloride in treating patients with breast cancer that has spread to nearby tissue or lymph nodes or other parts of the body and has estrogen receptors but not human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) receptors on the surface of its cells. Estrogen can cause the growth of tumor cells. Hormone therapy using tamoxifen citrate or z-endoxifen hydrochloride may fight breast cancer by lowering the amount of estrogen the body makes. It is not yet known whether tamoxifen citrate or z-endoxifen hydrochloride is more effective in treating patients with breast cancer.