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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Aug 30, 2024. How it worksUpsidesDownsidesBottom LineTipsResponse/effectivenessInteractions 1. How it works Anastrozole is a medicine that may be used for the treatment of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women.The growth of many cancers of the breast is stimulated or maintained by estrogens. Anastrozole lowers estrogen levels by preventing the synthesis of estrogen from adrenal androgens (primarily androstenedione and testosterone). Anastrozole does this by inhibiting the enzyme aromatase, which converts these androgens into estrogen. This slows the growth of tumors that require estrogen to grow. Anastrozole is selective, which means that it only affects blood estradiol concentrations, and has no effect on the formation of adrenal corticosteroids or aldosterone.Anastrozole belongs to the class of medicines called aromatase inhibitors. 2. Upsides Anastrozole is used in addition to other medications to treat hormone-receptor-positive early breast cancer in postmenopausal women. May also be used to treat hormone-receptor-unknown, locally advanced, or metastatic, breast cancer.May also be used in the treatment of advanced breast cancer in women who have disease progression following tamoxifen treatment. Anastrozole reduces the risk of breast cancer by 53% after 7 years of follow-up, and 50% after 10.9 years of follow-up.Although hot flushes (flashes) are a common side effect, anastrozole is less likely than tamoxifen to cause these.No dosage adjustment is needed for women with kidney disease, mild-to-moderate liver disease, or seniors.Anastrozole is available as a generic and under the brand name Arimidex. 3. Downsides If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include: Anastrozole is usually taken once daily for five years, although some women may take it for a shorter period. Side effects may start within a day of starting Anastrozole. This is because Anastrozole lowers total body estrogen levels by about 70% within 24 hours of starting the drug, which causes side effects similar to those of menopause, such as hot flashes or difficulty sleeping.Other side effects include asthenia (weakness or lack of energy; back, chest, joint, muscle, stomach, or pelvic pain; constipation; cough; diarrhea; headache; nausea and vomiting; rash; or vaginal dryness.Some side effects take longer to develop and may include bone pain; carpal tunnel syndrome (a nerve condition that affects your wrist, causing pain, tingling, or numbness); depression or low mood; high blood pressure, high cholesterol; osteoporosis (brittle bones) and fractures; shortness of breath; swelling in the ankles and feet (peripheral edema); swollen lymph nodes (lymphedema); weight gain.Women with pre-existing heart disease have an increased risk of developing high blood pressure or vasodilatation when taking anastrozole. The risk is higher than with tamoxifen (risk 17% with anastrozole compared
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