Non-steroidal Aromatase Inhibitors

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 letrozole.

The risks that may cause the most concern are:
- Decreases in bone mineral density (BMD).
- Increases in cholesterol.

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

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

There will also be the physical assessment of the patient. This will include blood pressure readings, pain assessment, gastrointestinal upsets, and hot flashes.

When initiating letrozole 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 follwing links:

http://www.rxlist.com/femara-drug.htm
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-4363-Femara+Oral.aspx?drugid=4363&drugname=Femara+Oral Both you and your physician will be monitoring the potential risks of letrozole.

The risks that may cause the most concern are:
- Decreases in bone mineral density (BMD).
- Increases in cholesterol.

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

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

There will also be the physical assessment of the patient. This will include blood pressure readings, pain assessment, gastrointestinal upsets, and hot flashes.

When initiating letrozole 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 follwing links:

http://www.rxlist.com/femara-drug.htm
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-4363-Femara+Oral.aspx?drugid=4363&drugname=Femara+Oral

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

There is no dosage adjustment of letrozole for patients with normal kidney and liver function. The physician will monitor for kidney and liver function using kidney and liver function tests and change medications if needed.

- With mild to moderate impairment of the liver, the dose of letrozole will not be changed.
- For post menopausal women taking Letrozole with liver problems (cirrhosis and severe hepatic impairment), as determined by liver function tests, the dose recommended for this patient population is 2.5mg every other day.
- There is no change in dosage requirements for patients with a creatinine clearance of the kidneys greater than or equal to 10ml/min.

For more information on this subject, see the following links:
http://www.rxlist.com/femara-drug.htm
http://www.drugs.com/dosage/letrozole.html There is no dosage adjustment of letrozole for patients with normal kidney and liver function. The physician will monitor for kidney and liver function using kidney and liver function tests and change medications if needed.

- With mild to moderate impairment of the liver, the dose of letrozole will not be changed.
- For post menopausal women taking Letrozole with liver problems (cirrhosis and severe hepatic impairment), as determined by liver function tests, the dose recommended for this patient population is 2.5mg every other day.
- There is no change in dosage requirements for patients with a creatinine clearance of the kidneys greater than or equal to 10ml/min.

For more information on this subject, see the following links:
http://www.rxlist.com/femara-drug.htm
http://www.drugs.com/dosage/letrozole.html

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.

Letrozole (Femara) is an antineoplastic agent. Antineoplastic agents are anticancer medications. Letrozole is also categorized as a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor. Aromatase inhibitors do not allow the aromatase enzyme to convert androgen into estrogen in the tissues. By blocking estrogen production in the tissues of the body, the estrogen receptor [ER]-positive and/or progesterone receptor [PR]-positive) breast cancer cells cannot grow. Letrozole (Femara) is an antineoplastic agent. Antineoplastic agents are anticancer medications. Letrozole is also categorized as a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor. Aromatase inhibitors do not allow the aromatase enzyme to convert androgen into estrogen in the tissues. By blocking estrogen production in the tissues of the body, the estrogen receptor [ER]-positive and/or progesterone receptor [PR]-positive) breast cancer cells cannot grow.

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.