Arimidex
Brand name: Arimidex
Chemical name: Anastrozole
Class: Aromatase inhibitor hormonal therapy. Aromasin and Femara are other aromatase inhibitors.
How it works: Aromatase inhibitors lower the amount of estrogen in postmenopausal women.
Uses: Arimidex, used to treat postmenopausal women, typically is used to:
- reduce the risk of early-stage, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer coming back after surgery and other treatments
- treat advanced-stage, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer
Arimidex usually is taken for 5 years. Doctors may recommend that some women take it for a longer or shorter period of time.
How it's given: Arimidex is taken orally as a pill.
Additional information: Arimidex shouldn't be taken at the same time as tamoxifen.
Side effects:
- weakness
- fatigue
- headache
- mood swings
- depression
- nausea
- mild diarrhea
- increased or decreased appetite
- sweating
- hot flashes
- vaginal dryness
- temporary hair thinning
- joint pain
- bone pain and weakness
- lower bone density
Read more about Arimidex.
