Anastrozole Uses, Dosage & Interactions

Anastrozole is a prescription medication that is used in conjunction with other forms of treatment to treat early stage breast cancer in women who have experienced menopause. It is available as both a generic drug and as a brand name medication: Arimidex. In the following article, we discuss the uses, mechanism of action, dosage, interactions, and side effects of anastrozole. We also discuss anastrozole vs tamoxifen and anastrozole vs letrozole. Read on to learn more about this medication and how it works.

Anastrozole Uses

The uses of anastrozole include the following:

- Treatment of early hormone receptor-positive breast cancer

- Treatment of advanced or metastic breast cancer

- Treatment of advanced breast cancer that has spread after tamoxifen treatment

Anastrozole is only used in women who have already stopped menstruating.

Anastrozole Mechanism Of Action

Anastrozole prevents the conversion of adrenal androgens like testosterone to estrogen in peripheral and tumour tissues. The growth of many forms of breast cancer is expedited by estrogen in the body. Anastrozole helps to treat these cancers by decreasing the level of estrogen.

How To Take Anastrozole

Take anastrozole as directed by your doctor. Anastrozole is taken as a tablet once a day, with or without food, and should be taken at the same time each day. If you miss a dose, you don't need to take an extra dose the next day. The level of drug in your body will remain high enough from the day before.

Anastrozole Dosage

Your dosage for anastrozole may differ based on the following:

- Your age

- How severe your condition is

- The condition being treated

- Reaction to your first dose

Anastrozole Dosage For Breast Cancer

Adult: 1 mg once a day.

Anastrozole Interactions

Anastrozole may cause a negative interaction if taken with any of the following medications:

- Any medication that contains estrogen

- Methadone

- Tamoxifen

If you are currently taking any of these medications and plan to take anastrozole, you should consult your doctor about the best treatment plan for you.

What Is The Relationship Between Anastrozole And Sun Expsoure?

Anastrozole can cause hot flashes or intense feelings of warmth in some patients. Given these side effects, it is advisable to avoid prolonged sun exposure and wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more while taking anastrozole.

Side Effects Of Anastrozole

Anastrozole does come with a list of associated side effects, some of which are more serious than others.

Common Side Effects

The most common side effects include the following:

- Blurred vision

- Bone pain

- Headache

- Nervousness

- Dizziness

- Pounding in the ears

- Slow heartbeat

- Fast heartbeat

- Swelling of the feet or lower legs

If these effects are mild, they may subside within a few day or at least, a couple of weeks. If these effects are more severe and have not gone away talk with your healthcare professional.

Serious Side Effects

Contact your doctor or pharmacist right way if you are experiencing serious side effects. If you think any of these symptoms are life threatening call 911 immediately.

- Blurred vision

- Chest pain

- Depression

- Increased cholseterol

- Liver problems

- Vaginal bleeding

- Arm, back, or jaw pain

- Lower back or side pain

- Difficulty breathing

- Difficult or painful urination

- Chest tightness

Disclaimer: At ManifestRX our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. Unfortunately, because drugs affect each individual differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects.

Anastrozole Vs Tamoxifen

Both anastrozole and tamoxifen can be used to treat patients with breast cancer. They do, however, have different mechanisms of action. Additionally, multiple clinical studies have proven that anastrozole is more effective at treating advanced breast cancer than tamoxifen.