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Difference between aromatase inhibitors?

Page last modified on: November 20, 2008
Question from Kala: How do the aromatase inhibitors differ from each other?
Answers —Nicholas Robert, M.D.: At this point there are three aromatase inhibitors: Arimidex (chemical name: anastrozole), Femara (chemical name: letrozole), and Aromasin (chemical name: exemestame). All are available and could be used in the adjuvant study. At this point there is no clear-cut advantage of one aromatase inhibitor over the other. There are some biochemical studies suggesting that Femara suppresses estrogen better than Arimidex, but it is unclear whether this has any clinical significance. All three drugs are associated with bone loss.
Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.: If you have a hard time with one drug, don't give up on them. Talk to your doctor about trying another aromatase inhibitor before giving up. The joint aches and pains that some women get on the aromatase inhibitors seem to be the worst at about six months. So if your doctor switches your medication and you get better, they may say, "Aren't we clever to change!" when your symptoms may have gotten better on their own. In my experience, they may not get better.

On Wednesday, June 21, 2006, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from the 2006 ASCO Annual Meeting. Nicholas Robert, M.D. and moderator Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. answered your questions about recent advances in breast cancer treatment, updates on breast cancer genetics, information on diet and risk of recurrence, and more.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Nicholas Robert, M.D.Nicholas Robert, M.D. is a co-chair of the Breast Committee of the U.S. Oncology Research Network and also chairs the Cancer Committee and Research Committee of the Inova Fairfax Hospital's Cancer Center. 

Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. is a medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of breast cancer, with a a special interest in cancer survivorship, patient-physician communication, and quality of care for women with breast cancer.

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