Anastrozole (Arimidex)

Assuming you are talking about adjuvant therapy here, the answer is split into pre and post menopausal women. Most premenopausal women are asked to start on Tamoxifen but some may get an AI plus a zoladex shot (to make them postmenopausal). In that case, the advice is 5 years. If you are premenopausal and start on Tamoxifen but then become postmenopausal, you may be switched to an AI for 5 years after 5 years of tamoxifen.

For postmenopausal women, it is typically 5 years of an AI only OR it could be 5 years of an AI AFTER 5 years of tamoxifen.
Assuming you are talking about adjuvant therapy here, the answer is split into pre and post menopausal women. Most premenopausal women are asked to start on Tamoxifen but some may get an AI plus a zoladex shot (to make them postmenopausal). In that case, the advice is 5 years. If you are premenopausal and start on Tamoxifen but then become postmenopausal, you may be switched to an AI for 5 years after 5 years of tamoxifen.

For postmenopausal women, it is typically 5 years of an AI only OR it could be 5 years of an AI AFTER 5 years of tamoxifen.

i had my 6 month check up in December and i told the oncologist i could no longer tolerate the bone pains I was having with Arimadex as well as the rest of the side effects difficulty sleeping, depression, hot flushes, night sweats/chills headaches weight gain etc etc. But the pain in every joint of my body was the worst she said I could try Femara but it would probably just be the same or maybe worse! but to give it a shot and if it didnt work out I could go back to the Arimadex, The pains have improved greatly, every thing else seems to be the same sleep is worse but I am a lot happier on Femara and who knows I havent been on it full month yet so other things could improve too :) fingers crossed joints permitting that is lol Unfortunately studies have not been done to directly compare the Aromatase Inhibitors. The side effects for these medications may be different from patient to patient.

Here are some of the differences between these medications:
- Differences in chemical structure.
- Aromasin is a steroidal compound.
- Femara and Arimidex are non-steroidal compounds.
- Aromasin is the newest aromatase inhibitor, therefore there is less scientific data about this medication.

Here are a couple of other articles on this subject:
http://www.breastcancer.org/news_research/ask_expert/2005_12/question_09.jsp
http://www.healthcentral.com/breast-cancer/c/78/17222/aromatase-faqs

Both you and your physician will be monitoring the potential risks of anastrozole.

The risks that may cause the most concern are:
- Decreases in bone mineral density (BMD). (Potential increase in bone loss.)
- May cause higher cholesterol levels or liver disease.
- Patient's with heart disease may have more of a chance to experience an ischemic cardiovascular event. (An ischemic cardiovascular event is reduced blood supply to the muscles of the heart).

The patient should be aware and notify the physician of any changes in how they feel, particularly paying attention to bone pain, chest pain, or liver pain (upper right quadrant).

The way to monitor these risks are through the following:
- bone density test
- complete blood cell counts (CBC)
- monitoring cholesterol and liver function tests
- thyroid function tests
- monitoring serum electrolytes
- kidney function, and blood pressure.


There will also be the physical assessment of the patient and monitoring for the postmenopausal women taking anastrozole. This will include blood pressure readings, pain assessment, gastrointestinal upsets, and hot flashes.

When initiating anastrozole treatment patients may experience dizziness and fatigue. Until your body adjusts be cautious before performing work that requires mental alertness, such as driving.

For more information, see the following link:
http://www.rxlist.com/arimidex-drug.htm Both you and your physician will be monitoring the potential risks of anastrozole.

The risks that may cause the most concern are:
- Decreases in bone mineral density (BMD). (Potential increase in bone loss.)
- May cause higher cholesterol levels or liver disease.
- Patient's with heart disease may have more of a chance to experience an ischemic cardiovascular event. (An ischemic cardiovascular event is reduced blood supply to the muscles of the heart).

The patient should be aware and notify the physician of any changes in how they feel, particularly paying attention to bone pain, chest pain, or liver pain (upper right quadrant).

The way to monitor these risks are through the following:
- bone density test
- complete blood cell counts (CBC)
- monitoring cholesterol and liver function tests
- thyroid function tests
- monitoring serum electrolytes
- kidney function, and blood pressure.


There will also be the physical assessment of the patient and monitoring for the postmenopausal women taking anastrozole. This will include blood pressure readings, pain assessment, gastrointestinal upsets, and hot flashes.

When initiating anastrozole treatment patients may experience dizziness and fatigue. Until your body adjusts be cautious before performing work that requires mental alertness, such as driving.

For more information, see the following link:
http://www.rxlist.com/arimidex-drug.htm

Anastrozole is indicated for:
- Treatment of hormone receptor-positive early and metastatic breast cancer in post-menopausal women. It may be used alone or after surgery or radiation. (Early breast cancer is cancer that has not spread outside the breast to other parts of the body.)
- Treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer that has progressed after receiving tamoxifen treatment for post-menopausal women.
- Post-menopausal women where the ER-positive or hormone receptor unknown breast cancer has spread in the breast or to other parts of the body.

For more information, see the following link:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000982/ Anastrozole is indicated for:
- Treatment of hormone receptor-positive early and metastatic breast cancer in post-menopausal women. It may be used alone or after surgery or radiation. (Early breast cancer is cancer that has not spread outside the breast to other parts of the body.)
- Treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer that has progressed after receiving tamoxifen treatment for post-menopausal women.
- Post-menopausal women where the ER-positive or hormone receptor unknown breast cancer has spread in the breast or to other parts of the body.

For more information, see the following link:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000982/

There is no dosage adjustment for patients taking anastrozole with normal liver function. The physician will monitor the patient's liver function and change medications if needed.
- For elderly post-menopausal women, there are no recommendations to change the dose.
- For patients with mild to moderate liver disease, as determined by liver function tests, there are no recommendations to change the dose.
- In patients with severe liver disease there have been no studies to conclude if the dose should be changed. The physician will decide whether to change medications.

For more information, see the following links:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000982/
http://www.drugs.com/pro/arimidex.html
http://www.rxlist.com/arimidex-drug.htm There is no dosage adjustment for patients taking anastrozole with normal liver function. The physician will monitor the patient's liver function and change medications if needed.
- For elderly post-menopausal women, there are no recommendations to change the dose.
- For patients with mild to moderate liver disease, as determined by liver function tests, there are no recommendations to change the dose.
- In patients with severe liver disease there have been no studies to conclude if the dose should be changed. The physician will decide whether to change medications.

For more information, see the following links:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000982/
http://www.drugs.com/pro/arimidex.html
http://www.rxlist.com/arimidex-drug.htm

Anastrozole treats breast cancer by inhibiting the production of estrogen in tissues of the body of post-menopausal women.
- By inhibiting the production of estrogen, the estrogen receptor [ER]-positive and/or progesterone receptor [PR]-positive cancer cells cannot grow.
- Anastrozole operates by blocking the aromatase enzyme that converts androgen to estrogen in the tissues of women who have gone through menopause.
- Postmenopausal women get estrogen from the conversion of androgen into estrogen in the tissues of the body.
- In women who have not gone through menopause, they receive their estrogen from the ovaries.
- Anastrozole is categorized pharmacologically as an antineoplastic agent and as a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor and is indicated for postmenopausal women. Anastrozole treats breast cancer by inhibiting the production of estrogen in tissues of the body of post-menopausal women.
- By inhibiting the production of estrogen, the estrogen receptor [ER]-positive and/or progesterone receptor [PR]-positive cancer cells cannot grow.
- Anastrozole operates by blocking the aromatase enzyme that converts androgen to estrogen in the tissues of women who have gone through menopause.
- Postmenopausal women get estrogen from the conversion of androgen into estrogen in the tissues of the body.
- In women who have not gone through menopause, they receive their estrogen from the ovaries.
- Anastrozole is categorized pharmacologically as an antineoplastic agent and as a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor and is indicated for postmenopausal women.

As the name implies, the action of Aromatase Inhibitors is to inhibit the production of estrogens by stopping the conversion of androgen into estrogen. Aromatase inhibitors operate by blocking the aromatase enzyme that converts androgen to estrogen. Post-menopausal women get estrogen from the conversion of androgen into estrogen in the tissues of the body. In contrast pre-menopausal women get estrogen from the ovaries. By inhibiting the production of the estrogen, the estrogen receptor [ER]-positive and/or progesterone receptor [PR]-positive tumors in the breast cannot grow. As the name implies, the action of Aromatase Inhibitors is to inhibit the production of estrogens by stopping the conversion of androgen into estrogen. Aromatase inhibitors operate by blocking the aromatase enzyme that converts androgen to estrogen. Post-menopausal women get estrogen from the conversion of androgen into estrogen in the tissues of the body. In contrast pre-menopausal women get estrogen from the ovaries. By inhibiting the production of the estrogen, the estrogen receptor [ER]-positive and/or progesterone receptor [PR]-positive tumors in the breast cannot grow.

All three aromatase inhibitors are generic. There are three aromatase inhibitors:

Anastrozole (Arimidex) is a 1mg oral tablet taken once daily.
Letrozole (Femara) is a 2.5mg once daily oral tablet which may be taken without regards to meals.
Exemestane (Aromasin) is a 25mg. once daily oral tablet which should be taken after a meal. All three aromatase inhibitors are generic. There are three aromatase inhibitors:

Anastrozole (Arimidex) is a 1mg oral tablet taken once daily.
Letrozole (Femara) is a 2.5mg once daily oral tablet which may be taken without regards to meals.
Exemestane (Aromasin) is a 25mg. once daily oral tablet which should be taken after a meal.

Anastrozole is taken by mouth as a 1mg. tablet once daily at the same time everyday.
- Always follow the directions on the prescription label and if you have any questions, consult with your physician and pharmacist.
- Storage of the drug should be in a dry place at room temperature. Avoid storing in the bathroom and exposing the medication to extreme heat or dampness.
- It is important to discard the medication appropriately and if it is outdated, do not take the anastrozole.
- Continue taking anastrozole as long as your physician requests and do not stop this drug without consulting your physician.
Anastrozole is taken by mouth as a 1mg. tablet once daily at the same time everyday.
- Always follow the directions on the prescription label and if you have any questions, consult with your physician and pharmacist.
- Storage of the drug should be in a dry place at room temperature. Avoid storing in the bathroom and exposing the medication to extreme heat or dampness.
- It is important to discard the medication appropriately and if it is outdated, do not take the anastrozole.
- Continue taking anastrozole as long as your physician requests and do not stop this drug without consulting your physician.

Anastrozole (Arimidex) is an anticancer drug. It is a type of nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor. Anastrozole works by decreasing the estrogen production in the body by inhibiting the enzyme that converts androgens into estrogen. By decreasing the amount of estrogen in the body, tumors that need estrogen to grow are inhibited.
Anastrozole (Arimidex) is an anticancer drug. It is a type of nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor. Anastrozole works by decreasing the estrogen production in the body by inhibiting the enzyme that converts androgens into estrogen. By decreasing the amount of estrogen in the body, tumors that need estrogen to grow are inhibited.

If you have forgotten to take your anastrozole dose, try to take it as soon as possible. But if it is close to the time for the next dose just take the next dose and continue your usual dosing times. In order to remember to take your anastrozole, consider taking it at the same time everyday. Anastrozole can be taken with or without food.

You should not double your dose if a dose has been missed. If you have forgotten to take your anastrozole dose, try to take it as soon as possible. But if it is close to the time for the next dose just take the next dose and continue your usual dosing times. In order to remember to take your anastrozole, consider taking it at the same time everyday. Anastrozole can be taken with or without food.

You should not double your dose if a dose has been missed.

Medications to avoid or speak to your physician about are:
-Estrogen products such as hormone replacement medications (oestrogel) or birth control medications because they decrease the efficacy of anastrozole.
-Tamoxifen may interact with anastrozole and decrease the efficacy of anastrozole.
-Thalidomide may interact with anastrozole.
-The following herbals should be avoided because they may decrease the efficacy of anastrozole - black cohosh, don quai, Motherwort, Vitex, hops, licorice, red clover, and thyme.
-Medicines similar to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone Medications to avoid or speak to your physician about are:
-Estrogen products such as hormone replacement medications (oestrogel) or birth control medications because they decrease the efficacy of anastrozole.
-Tamoxifen may interact with anastrozole and decrease the efficacy of anastrozole.
-Thalidomide may interact with anastrozole.
-The following herbals should be avoided because they may decrease the efficacy of anastrozole - black cohosh, don quai, Motherwort, Vitex, hops, licorice, red clover, and thyme.
-Medicines similar to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone

Anastrozole is not advised if:
- Patient is allergic to anastrozole. Please share with your healthcare provider any allergies you have.
- Patient is pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Please share with your healthcare provider if you are taking hormone replacement medications or birth control medications.
- The administration of Tamoxifen and anastrozole (Arimidex) at the same time is not recommended.
- Patient has not gone completely through menopause.
- Please advise healthcare provider with a list of your diseases, such as a history liver or heart disease, circulation issues such as blood clots or strokes, and osteopenia. Anastrozole is not advised if:
- Patient is allergic to anastrozole. Please share with your healthcare provider any allergies you have.
- Patient is pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Please share with your healthcare provider if you are taking hormone replacement medications or birth control medications.
- The administration of Tamoxifen and anastrozole (Arimidex) at the same time is not recommended.
- Patient has not gone completely through menopause.
- Please advise healthcare provider with a list of your diseases, such as a history liver or heart disease, circulation issues such as blood clots or strokes, and osteopenia.

Here are some options to consider:

1) Getting financial support for Femara. You may be eligible for financial support to help purchase Femara. One program specifically is the Femara Cares Program at http://femara.com. You may want to ask the community about other financial support programs.
2) Stay on Arimedex and treat the side effects. The medications to treat the side effects may improve your quality of life, but you will need to discuss their costs and side effects with your physician.
3) You may consider the other Aromatase Inhibitor, Aromasin (exemestane). Pfizer has a financial assistance program as well - http://www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com/pages/misc/Default.aspx
4) Another alternative is Tamoxifen. Studies have shown that Aromatase Inhibitors are more effective in postmenopausal women with ER+ breast cancers, but if side effects are severe, Tamoxifen is an option to consider.

Here are a couple of articles comparing tamoxifen to aromatase inhibitors:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/447550_2
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081211161737.htm Here are some options to consider:

1) Getting financial support for Femara. You may be eligible for financial support to help purchase Femara. One program specifically is the Femara Cares Program at http://femara.com. You may want to ask the community about other financial support programs.
2) Stay on Arimedex and treat the side effects. The medications to treat the side effects may improve your quality of life, but you will need to discuss their costs and side effects with your physician.
3) You may consider the other Aromatase Inhibitor, Aromasin (exemestane). Pfizer has a financial assistance program as well - http://www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com/pages/misc/Default.aspx
4) Another alternative is Tamoxifen. Studies have shown that Aromatase Inhibitors are more effective in postmenopausal women with ER+ breast cancers, but if side effects are severe, Tamoxifen is an option to consider.

Here are a couple of articles comparing tamoxifen to aromatase inhibitors:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/447550_2
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081211161737.htm

One of the doctor's main tasks is to formulate a treatment regimen that is the best fit for you. Here are options you may discuss with your physician:

You may be able to try other aromatase inhibitors, such as Femara or Aromasin. These drugs may have different side effects that you'll find more tolerable. Before following this path, your doctor will evaluate your breast cancer case as a whole including your medical history.

As your doctor mentions, you may take medications to help alleviate the current side effects from Arimidex. This may be worth a try for a short period of time to see how you react.

First of all, your physician should test to make sure that you are post-menopausal.

Aromatase inhibitors are the most common hormonal treatment for post-menopausal women. The three most prescribed are:
- Arimidex (chemical name: anastrozole)
- Femara (chemical name: letrozole)
- Aromasin (chemical name: exemestane)

Alternative treatments are:
- tamoxifen
- Faslodex (fulvestrant)
- Fareston (toremifene)
- Megace (megestrol)
- Halotestin (fluoxymesterone)

A combination of the above therapies might be considered in some cases.

If the side effects are too severe, you might consider changing treatments.

Sometimes though, the cancer changes and the hormonal treatment is ineffective or might even fuel the cancer. In these cases, the treatments should stop and potentially another hormonal therapy can be tried. First of all, your physician should test to make sure that you are post-menopausal.

Aromatase inhibitors are the most common hormonal treatment for post-menopausal women. The three most prescribed are:
- Arimidex (chemical name: anastrozole)
- Femara (chemical name: letrozole)
- Aromasin (chemical name: exemestane)

Alternative treatments are:
- tamoxifen
- Faslodex (fulvestrant)
- Fareston (toremifene)
- Megace (megestrol)
- Halotestin (fluoxymesterone)

A combination of the above therapies might be considered in some cases.

If the side effects are too severe, you might consider changing treatments.

Sometimes though, the cancer changes and the hormonal treatment is ineffective or might even fuel the cancer. In these cases, the treatments should stop and potentially another hormonal therapy can be tried.