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Arimidex beneficial despite side effects?

Page last modified on: October 7, 2008
Question from Snyder: My wife had a cancerous tumor removed from her breast and has gone through 44 days of radiation. The doctor will put her on Arimidex next week. I read the reactions people get from it and do not like it. My wife will not even take aspirin unless she really has to. Do you think this is really necessary?
Answer —Lynn Hartmann, M.D.: Actually, Arimidex is quite well tolerated by most women. The most common side effects experienced are hot flashes and sometimes, joint achiness. However, an important side effect is that it can lower bone density, and thus for most women we check a baseline bone density before starting the Arimidex. For women with low bone density, tamoxifen may be a better choice.

On Wednesday, February 15, 2006, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Risk Reduction. Lynn C. Hartmann, M.D. and moderator Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S. answered your questions about a variety of topics such as screening with mammograms, MRIs, and ultrasounds; breast biopsies; lifestyle changes that make a difference; and making hard decisions about prophylactic surgeries.

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

Lynn C. Hartmann, M.D.Lynn Hartmann, M.D. is a professor of oncology at the Mayo Clinic and associate director for education of the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center.

Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S.Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a general surgeon. Her clinical practice is located at Holy Redeemer Hospital and St. Mary Medical Center.

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