If you are fighting early breast cancer, you may have many questions about
treatment with ARIMIDEX. While you'll find answers to some of those questions
here, the best way to get the information you need is to speak directly to your
doctor. Together, you and your doctor can decide upon a course of treatment
that is right for you. If you would like to receive additional materials
relating to treatment with ARIMIDEX, click here.
Should I take ARIMIDEX for my early breast cancer?
If you're
postmenopausal
and have
hormone receptor-positive
breast cancer, ARIMIDEX may be right for you. Discuss all your treatment
options with your doctor.
back to top
What are the most common side effects of ARIMIDEX?
In the early breast cancer
clinical trial,
the most common side effects seen with ARIMIDEX include hot flashes, joint
symptoms, weakness, mood changes, pain, sore throat, nausea and vomiting,
depression, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, swelling of arms/legs and
headache. Fractures (including fractures of the spine, hip, and wrist) occurred
more frequently with ARIMIDEX than with tamoxifen (10% vs 7%).
You should also know that:
-
You should speak with your doctor to determine if any bone tests or special
medications may be necessary
-
ARIMIDEX should not be taken with tamoxifen or with
estrogen-containing
therapies
back to top
Who should not take ARIMIDEX?
Do not take ARIMIDEX if you:
-
Have ever had an allergic reaction to the active ingredient, anastrozole, or to
any of the other ingredients in ARIMIDEX Tablets. See the
full Prescribing Information
for a complete list
-
Are breastfeeding
-
Are a premenopausal woman
-
Are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or plan to get pregnant
-
Are a child or a man (ARIMIDEX has not been approved for use in children or
men)
back to top
Is ARIMIDEX a type of cytotoxic chemotherapy?
ARIMIDEX is a
hormonal treatment,
not a
cytotoxic chemotherapy.
It works by reducing the amount of
estrogen
produced by your body. For more details,
see how ARIMIDEX works.
back to top
How do I take ARIMIDEX?
ARIMIDEX is a small tablet that you swallow, just one tablet, once a day. (Pill
shown is not actual size.)
Try to take your medicine at the same time each day. If you forget to take a
dose, take it as soon as you remember, or take the next dose as usual. Do not
take two doses to make up for the missed dose.
back to top
How long should I take ARIMIDEX?
Take ARIMIDEX until your doctor tells you to stop. The ongoing early breast
cancer
clinical trial,
called the ATAC trial (ARIMIDEX, Tamoxifen Alone or in Combination),
has found benefits for ARIMIDEX over tamoxifen in lowering the risk of
recurrence
for
postmenopausal
women with
hormone receptor-positive
early breast cancer treated for 5 years.
back to top
What else should I know about ARIMIDEX?
-
Since fractures (including fractures of the spine, hip, and wrist) occurred more frequently with ARIMIDEX than with tamoxifen (10% vs 7%), you
should speak with your doctor to determine if any special medications or bone
tests may be necessary
-
ARIMIDEX should not be taken with tamoxifen or with estrogen-containing
therapies
back to top