Arimidex

Arimidex (anastrozole) treats breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Aromatase inhibitor cuts estrogen. Mainly adjuvant for hormone-positive cancer.

Development/Approval

AstraZeneca developed, FDA 1995. Widely accepted hormone-positive postmenopausal; trials ensure efficacy/safety.

Main Benefits/Features

• Cuts estrogen: Slows hormone-positive growth.
• Stages: Early/advanced.
• First-line: Postmenopausal.
• Tolerated: Manageable effects.
• Targeted: Aromatase block.
• Combo: With others enhance.
• Convenient: Once-daily.

Efficacy

Vs. Similar

Vs letrozole/exemestane: As/superior recurrence prevent, better effects profile.

Studies/Results

• Recurrence: Cut risk hormone-positive.
• Survival: Improve overall postmenopausal.
• Versatile: Adjuvant/metastatic.

Safety/Acceptance

Tolerated; common hot flashes, joint pain, fatigue. Rare serious: Osteoporosis, cardiovascular. Monitor/adjust safe.

Uses

Treated

• Hormone-Positive: Grows estrogen/progesterone response.
• Early: Breast/lymph confined.
• Metastatic: Spread beyond.

Symptoms for

• Post-surgery: Prevent recurrence.
• First-line: Metastatic hormone-positive.
• Pre-surgery: Shrink tumor.

Help Symptoms

Cuts estrogen, slows/stops hormone-positive cells; prevent recurrence/progression.

Dosing/Usage

Adult

1 mg once daily, with/without food.

Special

No adjust elderly; caution severe liver/kidney.

Timing

Any time, same each day consistent levels.

Action

Main

Inhibits aromatase, blocks androgen-estrogen convert, cuts levels.

Targets

Aromatase in tissues including breast; cuts estrogen, slows cancer cells.

Biochem

• Estrogen: Cut production inhibit enzyme.
• Cancer: Reduce stimulation positive cells.

Ingredients

Active

• Anastrozole

Excipients

• Lactose monohydrate
• Magnesium stearate
• Hypromellose
• Polyethylene glycol
• Titanium dioxide
• Povidone

Effects

Common

• Hot flashes
• Joint pain
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Headache

Less

• Cholesterol up
• Osteoporosis
• Depression
• Hair thin

Serious

• Severe allergies
• Cardiovascular: Heart attack/stroke
• Liver: Jaundice

Avoiding

Measures

Follow dose, no abrupt stop; report unusual immediately.

Tolerance

Same time daily consistent; hydrate/balanced diet; exercise reduce joint; supplements calcium/vit D bone.

Restrictions

Conditions

• Hypersensitivity: Anastrozole/excipients.
• Premenopausal.
• Pregnant/breastfeeding: Harm fetus/infant.
• Severe liver/kidney: Caution/avoid.

Alerts/Cautions

Warnings

• Osteoporosis: Risk fractures cut estrogen.
• Cardiovascular: Events, existing heart.
• Cholesterol: Up levels monitor/manage.

Measures

Inform conditions/meds; bone scans osteoporosis intervene; heart-healthy lifestyle; report changes immediately.

Missed

Actions

Take remembered; skip if near next, no double.

Reminders

App/alarm; visible schedule; pill organizer.

Interaction

Drugs

• Estrogen therapies: HRT.
• Tamoxifen: Reduce effectiveness.
• Warfarin: Monitor clotting.
• Liver modifiers: Rifampin, phenytoin.

Safe Use

Inform all meds/OTC/supplements; no change without consult; review regularly interactions.

Overdose

Signs

• Severe nausea/vomit
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Rash
• Breathe difficulties

Actions

Emergency; no induce unless told; immediate attention severe.

Kinetics

Uptake

• GI: Well absorbed.
• Peaks: 2 hours oral.

Spread

• Wide body.
• Protein: ~40%.

Breakdown

• Liver extensive.
• Metabolite: Inactive urine.

Removal

• Urine metabolites main.
• Feces small.
• Half-life: ~50 hours.

Forms

Available

Tablets 1 mg; daily dosing.

Pregnancy/Breastfeeding

Safety

• Category X: Contraindicated pregnancy harm.
• Breastfeeding: Limited, caution.

Recommendations

Avoid pregnancy: Contraception. Discontinue if pregnant, inform hazards. Consult breastfeeding.

Storage

Recommendations

Room 20-25°C, original closed.

Conditions

Stable temp; no extremes; away sun/moisture.

Shelf/After Open

No past expiry.

Trials/Efficacy

Overview

Extensive trials hormone-positive; randomized placebo postmenopausal early/advanced.

Findings

• Risk: Cut recurrence.
• Survival: Improve.
• Comparative: Comparable/superior letrozole/exemestane.

Conclusion

Highlights

• Effective: Treat hormone-positive, cut estrogen, slow growth.
• Versatile: Early/advanced.
• Dosing: Once-daily.
• Tolerable: Manageable.

Optimizing

• Adhere dose/timing.
• Monitor health/consult adjust.
• Healthy lifestyle diet/exercise.
• Report symptoms/changes.

Final

Valuable hormone-positive manage, benefits symptom/health. Proper use/monitor enhance quality postmenopausal cancer.