ARIMIDEX (ANASTROZOLE)

Arimidex is Prescribed to Treat Breast Cancer

Arimidex is an estrogen-lowering medication commonly used to treat post-menopausal women with breast cancer. It comes packaged as a pill, and should be swallowed whole with or without food. It also sells in its generic form, under the name Anastrozole. You will need a valid prescription to start taking it. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

What Arimidex Does in Your Body

Arimidex is taken orally post-operatively with or without radiation to lower estrogen levels in postmenopausal women that have hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer. Arimidex is an aromatase inhibitor; aromatase is an enzyme found in your liver, fat, muscles and breast cancer cells and is responsible for changing hormones produced in your adrenal glands into estrogen which can then encourage the growth of some breast cancers. Taking Arimidex or Anastrozole generic inhibits aromatase which reduces estrogen levels.

Although Arimidex cannot cure cancer, it is an effective medication for helping to prevent a reoccurrence of breast cancer and greatly improves your chances to avoid getting cancer in the other breast.

Arimidex Uses Against Estrogen-Dependant Cancer

Statistics indicate that one in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Many more people now recover due to the increase in medical technology and treatment options. The medications for breast cancer are very complex but can make a big difference in healing. There are some specific medications for post-menopausal women with breast cancer.

Arimidex is often prescribed to treated estrogen-dependent breast cancers in post-menopausal women. These types of cancers are fairly common in post-menopausal women, especially since menopause medications increase estrogen levels in the body. Arimidex works by significantly decreasing your estrogen production, which then reduces the amount that is available to supply cancerous tumors. In doing so, it should kill any existing cancer cells and allow you to heal.

Before You Start Taking Arimidex

You should inform your doctor about any cardiovascular problems that you have before you start taking Arimidex. In addition, be sure to let them know whether you have a history of liver disease or osteoporosis or other medical conditions or allergies that could interfere with taking Arimidex.

Precautions for Arimidex

While taking the drug, it is important for you to watch for symptoms like slurred speech, headache, blurred vision, and numbness or weakness on one side of the body; these indicate that you are having a stroke and you should call for immediate medical assistance.

Arimidex interacts with many medications, including certain estrogen and cancer drugs, so these should be avoided during treatment. Failing to do so may result in lowered efficacy or more severe side effects; take them only if directed by your doctor.

Possible Side Effects of Arimidex

• Joint pain
• Hot flashes
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Nausea and vomiting
• Skin irritation