Arimidex Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Arimidex Tablet (anastrozole) is an aromatase inhibitor used to treat certain types of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It works by lowering estrogen levels to help slow or control the growth of hormone-sensitive breast cancer. The usual dose is 1 mg once a day, taken long term as directed by a doctor. It is not approved for men, children, or women who have not completed menopause.

What is Arimidex Tablet

Arimidex is a brand-name oral tablet used to treat certain types of breast cancer in women who have gone through menopause. It contains the active ingredient anastrozole and is a type of hormone therapy.

Arimidex Tablet uses

• Hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer in postmenopausal women
• Locally advanced breast cancer
• Metastatic breast cancer
• Advanced breast cancer after progression on tamoxifen
• Adjuvant treatment following breast cancer surgery

Benefits of Arimidex Tablet

• Helps reduce estrogen levels
• Helps slow the growth of hormone-sensitive breast cancer
• Helps reduce the risk of cancer recurrence in eligible patients
• Supports long-term breast cancer treatment
• Helps control certain advanced breast cancers

How Arimidex Tablet works

Arimidex blocks an enzyme called aromatase, which the body uses to make estrogen. By lowering estrogen levels, it helps stop estrogen from fueling the growth of hormone-sensitive breast cancer cells.

Arimidex Tablet dosage

You can take your dose at any time of day, but try to take it at the same time each day. It can be taken either with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole; do not crush, split, or chew it. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but if it's almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one and continue as usual—do not take two doses together. This medicine is approved only for women who have completed menopause and is not for use in men or children. Treatment is often continued long term, sometimes for at least 5 years in early breast cancer.

Available forms and strengths

• Oral tablet (1 mg)

Side effects of Arimidex Tablet

Common

• Hot flashes
• Weakness or tiredness
• Joint pain, aching, or stiffness
• Bone pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rash
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Headache
• Swelling in legs, ankles, or feet
• Lymphedema (swelling in the arm from fluid buildup)
• Sore throat
• Dizziness
• Mood changes, such as depression
• Carpal tunnel syndrome (pain, tingling, or numbness in the hand or wrist)
• Back pain
• Weight gain
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diarrhea and constipation
• Loss of appetite, indigestion, and heartburn
• Changes to hair or facial hair
• Skin changes

Serious

• Liver problems, such as hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), with symptoms like not feeling well, pain on the right side of the abdomen, or yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Serious skin reactions, such as sores, ulcers, or blisters
• Reduced bone mineral density (weakened bones), which can lead to fractures or decreased height
• Increased cholesterol level
• Heart problems, including new or worsening chest pain and shortness of breath
• Severe allergic reaction, with swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, and trouble breathing
• Blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
• Stroke, with symptoms like sudden numbness or weakness, severe headache, slurred speech, or vision or balance problems

Warnings and precautions

• People with pre-existing heart artery disease may have a higher chance of heart problems with this medicine compared with tamoxifen. Tell your doctor about any heart history before starting treatment.
• This medicine can reduce bone density over time, which can increase the risk of broken bones.
• This medicine may raise total cholesterol levels.
• Do not take this medicine together with tamoxifen, since it can lower the amount of this medicine in your body and make it less effective.
• Medicines containing estrogen, such as hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills, patches, or rings, should not be used with this medicine because they may make it less effective.
• This medicine is not approved for use in men or children, and it does not work in women who have not completed menopause.
• Arimidex is not for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby, so tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking it.
• Do not breastfeed while taking Arimidex, or for at least 2 weeks after your last dose, as it may be harmful to a nursing child.
• No dose change is needed for people with kidney problems, since only a small amount of the drug is removed from the body through the kidneys.
• No dose change is needed for mild-to-moderate liver problems. This medicine has not been studied in people with severe liver impairment, so talk with your doctor about whether it's right for you.
• Alcohol does not directly interact with this medicine, but it could make side effects like headaches, dizziness, nausea, and tiredness worse, and drinking large amounts may raise your risk of weak bones.
• This medicine can cause dizziness, so avoid driving or doing anything risky until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store at room temperature (68°F to 77°F/20°C to 25°C) in a tightly sealed container
• Avoid storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as bathrooms
• Keep out of the reach of children
• Ask your pharmacist how to safely dispose of unused or expired medication

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away for signs of a severe allergic reaction, including swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or trouble swallowing or breathing.
• Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have new or worsening chest pain or shortness of breath, as these can be signs of heart disease.
• Call your doctor right away if you have signs of a liver problem, such as generally not feeling well, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or pain on the right side of your abdomen.
• Call your doctor right away if you notice skin sores, ulcers, or blisters.
• Get medical help right away if you have signs of a stroke, such as sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.
• Tell your treatment team right away if you have pain, redness, swelling, or warmth in an arm or leg, or sudden shortness of breath or chest pain or tightness, as these can be signs of a blood clot.

Alternatives

• Aromasin
• Femara
• Anastrozole