Arimidex (anastrozole)
What is Arimdex and how does it work ?
Arimidex is a drug used to treat breast cancer in
post-menopausal women (women who have gone through the menopause/
change of life). It is a type of hormone treatment known as an aromatase inhibitor.
The female hormone oestrogen stimulates some breast cancersto grow. These are described as
hormone sensitive or receptor positive tumours.
Post-menopausal women do
continue to produce oestrogen.This is mostly produced when other hormones are converted
into oestrogen by an enzyme known as aromatase, which is found in the liver and the
fatty tissues of the body.Arimidex works by stopping this conversion from taking
place so that the amount of oestrogen circulating in the body is reduced.
When is Arimidex prescribed?
There are different types of breast cancer and not all of them respond to Arimidex.
Arimidex is most useful for breast cancers that rely on oestrogen for their growth
(oestrogen receptor-positive tumours) and it is only suitable for women who have been
through the menopause.
Arimidex may be used to treat primary breast cancer in women who are unable to take
tamoxifen because of the potential risk of side effects. It may be given in combination
with tamoxifen within a clinical trial. Arimidex may also be prescribed if you develop local
recurrence or secondary breast cancer while you are taking tamoxifen or other antioestrogen
hormones.
You will not usually be given Arimidex if you have osteoporosis (thinning and
weakening of the bones) because of the risk of further damage to the bone.
How is Arimidex taken ?
Arimidex comes as a tablet(1 mg) that you take once a day. It is best to take it at the
same time every day. If you miss a dose you don't need to take an extra dose the next day.
The level of the drug in your body will remain high from the previous day. It is important not
to stop taking Arimidex without talking to your specialist first.
Store Arimidex tablets out if reach of children, at room temperature, away from heat, light and moisture.
Will it work for me even though I have been
taking Tamoxifen ?
If you have responded to one type of hormone treatment there is a good chance that
you will respond to another.Trials have show that Arimidex is useful for women
who have had a good initial response to tamoxifen.
How long will I have to take Arimidex ?
If you have primary breast cancer you will take Arimidex for five years. For local
recurrence or secondary disease you will continue to take it for as long as your
breast cancer remains under control. If your breast cancer does progress while you are
taking Arimidex, there are other hormone treatments that may be effective.
What are the side effects of Arimidex ?
Everyone reacts differently to drugs. Some people experience more side effects than others.
Arimidex usually causes only a few side effects that can be kept under control. It is rare
for someone to stop taking Arimidex because of the side effects.
The known side effects of Arimidex are listed below. It is important to remember that
you may not get any of these. Tell Doctors or Dentists that you are being treated with Arimidex before you are treated.Arimidex has lactose in it. The amount is very small but may
rarely cause some gastric upset in persons who are lactose intolerant.
More common side effects
You may have symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, loss of
appetite or diarrhoea. These symptoms tend to be mild and
temporary and can usually be helped by taking your tablets
with food or at bedtime.
Tiredness may also be a problem for some women, and you may find
you need more rest than usual. For a copy of
our booklet Coping with Fatigue, please call the National Cancer Helpline
Freefone 1 800 200 700.
You may have menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes.These also tend to be mild and
generally wear off after a while.You can do practical things to
help yourself such as wearingcotton clothing and reducing your intake of caffeine and
alcohol. Some people find complementary therapies helpful, for example reflexology.
Another menopausal symptom you may notice is vaginal dryness. Vaginal moisturisers or
lubricants such as KY gel can behelpful. You can get vaginal moisturisers on prescription
from your GP. You can buy KY gel in most chemists.
For further information see our factsheet on Understanding and Managing Menopausal Symptoms and our booklet on Complementary Therapies .
Less common side effects
You may have other less common side effects such as headache, weakness, joint pain or stiffness, a skin rash or sleepiness. These are usually temporary and should wear off after a short time.
Let your specialist know if you do experience any of these side effects. You may find that your hair gets thinner while you are taking Arimidex. When you stop taking it your hair will usually be the same as it was before.
Rare side effects
Vaginal bleeding is a rare side effect of Arimidex. This can happen in the first few weeks after starting the treatment. It usually occurs when someone has changed from one hormone tablet to another. If bleeding continues, you need to tell your cancer
specialist. Do not stop taking your Arimidex without consulting your specialist.
Can I take Arimidex with my other Drugs ?
Drugs containing oestrogen, such as the contraceptive pill or HRT, should not be taken while you are taking Arimidex because they stop it working effectively. There do not seem
to be any other prescribed drugs that interfere with Arimidex, and other prescribed
medicines are not affected if you are taking Arimidex.
Further Support
If you have any concerns about taking Armidex you can talk to your specialist or breast care nurse. You might find it easier to share your feelings with someone who has had a similar
experience to you. Reach to Recovery is a programme set up to help and support women who have
recently had a breast cancer diagnosis. The programme works on the principle of personal contact between the patient and a Reach to Recovery volunteer – a woman who has had treatment for breast cancer. Carefully selected and fully trained volunteers are available to provide advice and reassurance at a time when a woman is most in need of both. For more information on
individual support or support groups in your area, call the National Cancer Helpline
Freefone 1800 200 700.
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