Arimidex Side effects

Arimidex

Arimidex Side Effects: generic name anastrozole. Arimidex comes in 1 mg tablets. Dosing is decided by your physician but is usually 1 mg taken once daily. Arimidex is in a class of medications called non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors and works by reducing the amount of estrogen produced by a woman’s body. It is used primarily in post-menopausal women as a part of institutional regimens as a first line treatment for breast cancer or to prevent progression of breast cancer as a part of oncologic therapy in some women with progressive or recurrent disease. Arimidex is generally used in women who have estrogen receptor positive cancer cells upon testing, though it is sometimes used on receptor unknown cancer as well. It is also sometimes used to stimulate ovulation. Sometimes Arimidex is used to prevent breast cancer in women who are at high risk of developing the disease.

Common Arimidex Side Effects: Most women taking Arimidex will experience some degree of Arimidex side effects. The more common of these side effects include hot flashes, asthenia (weight loss and weakness), various pains including arthralgia, generalized pain, breast pain, headache, sore throat, abdominal pain, parasthesias and bone pain. Gastrointestinal Arimidex side effects that are common include nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia and constipation or diarrhea. Depression, high blood pressure, rashes, insomnia, lymphedema, edema, cough, elevated cholesterol, weight gain, cataracts, thromboembolism, infections, and angina are listed by the manufacturer as common side effects. Bone density loss leading to osteoporosis and fractures is also common.

Severe Arimidex Side Effects: Unfortunately some of the severe side effects of Arimidex are also the common side effects listed above, including osteoporosis, thromboembolism, hypertension, and cataracts. Other serious Arimidex side effects can include endometrial cancer, myocardial infarction, stroke, angina pectoris, anemia, low white blood cell counts, and the severe skin reactions erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Cautions and Drug Interactions: Arimidex is contraindicated in pregnancy, and caution is advised in premenopausal women, women with a history of hypersensitivity to Armimdex or this class of medications, and in women with coronary artery disease. Arimidex is usually avoided in combination with any medications containing estrogen or other hormonal contraception and with tamoxifen. Arimidex is intended only for women who are post menopausal, and should not be taken by women who may become pregnant.

Unusual Arimidex Side Effects: Cataracts and cardiovascular side effects are the most unusual with use of this medication.

Pregnancy and Lactation: Arimidex is pregnancy category D, and its safety in breast feeding women is not known.

Special Considerations: Arimidex is generally used for treatment in breast cancer patients with recurrent disease or at moderate to high risk of recurrence. So, despite the common Arimidex side effects, the benefits are felt to be worth struggling to some degree by many women and oncologists. Discontinuation rates because of Arimidex side effects are relatively low in the major trials published. Arimidex is usually continued in recurrent breast cancer patients until there is evidence of progression of the disease.