Arimidex: Side effects, dosage, uses, and more

In a study of advanced breast cancer, 13% of women who took Aromasin and 13% of women who took megestrol (another cancer treatment) reported having body aches and pains. Aromasin and Arimidex both contain drugs from the same class called aromatase inhibitors. Exemestane may be more expensive than similar breast cancer medications, such as letrozole. But exemestane costs significantly less than other breast cancer treatments, such as Kisqali or Ibrance.

Find a list of questions on hormone therapy you may want to ask your health care provider. Talk with your health care provider about how long you should take an aromatase inhibitor. Ovarian suppression prevents the ovaries from making estrogen, so a woman becomes postmenopausal. Ovarian suppression is usually done with drug therapy, so menopause may be temporary.

• Answers to questions you may have can be found in the inhibitor handling instructions.
• The aim of hormone treatment after surgery is to lower the risk of the cancer coming back.
• Several strategies were employed to investigate the benefit of AIs as an adjuvant treatment for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
• Women who are still having periods (are pre menopausal) and women who have had their menopause (post menopausal) can take tamoxifen.

Aromatase inhibitors play a role in adjuvant therapy in breast cancer. These agents work by inhibiting aromatase, the enzyme responsible for converting other steroid hormones into estrogen. All 3 selective aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane) have similar antitumor efficacy and Omnadren 250 mg Bausch Health buy online similar toxicity profiles. Subjects were classified based on their first prescription for hormonal therapy as BAI or GAI.

Publication types

A comprehensive review of AIs focuses on the pharmacology and clinical development of letrozole 76. A side effect of aromatase inhibitors and goserelin is bone thinning (osteoporosis) or weakening. If you are starting treatment with an aromatase inhibitor you might have a DEXA scan first.

FAQs About Estrogen Blockers

Also, the World Anti-Doping Agency has banned Aromasin and many other prescription drugs for this use. However, the drug may be prescribed off-label for this use according to guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. If you have questions about Aromasin use in males, talk with your doctor.

Estrogen signaling pathway engages in several cellular processes particularly cell proliferation and cell survival. Beside the reproductive system, estrogens also have important functions in the musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular system, and brain 1. The three main natural estrogens in women include estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3). Estradiol or 17β-estradiol is a major form of estrogens in women with reproductive age.

What is secondary breast cancer?

They attach to HER2 proteins and block signals that tell the cells to multiply too quickly. In 2014, findings from a clinical trial suggested premenopausal women who use LHRH agonists to temporarily stop the function of their ovaries may be able to safely take exemestane. Exemestane is not yet FDA approved for this purpose but your doctor may discuss this option with you if you have not yet gone through menopause. However, some premenopausal women may take an aromatase inhibitor when combined with ovarian suppression. Post-menopausal women may sometimes be recommended to switch to an aromatase inhibitor after taking tamoxifen for two to three years. Tamoxifen may also be given in conjunction with Zoladex, another medication that switches off ovarian function in pre-menopausal women.

It then can reduce the risk of breast cancer returning, or control the growth of metastatic disease. However, aromatase inhibitors aren’t FDA-approved for use in the risk reduction setting. They are only FDA-approved for use in breast cancer treatment.

If you drink alcohol and are concerned about how it might affect your breast cancer or your Kisqali treatment, talk with your doctor. This section lists medications, supplements, and foods that can interact with Kisqali. But, this section does not list all substances that may interact with Kisqali. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Kisqali and Verzenio are both used in combination with other drugs, but Verzenio is also sometimes used alone. If you’re having problems with nausea or vomiting, talk with your doctor about ways to manage these side effects.

This would help make sure patients have access to affordable, appropriate treatment. As a result, people often find themselves facing high out-of-pocket costs when filling prescriptions for oral cancer drugs. Although the exact treatment for breast cancer varies from person to person, evidence-based guidelines help make sure high-quality care is given. These guidelines are based on the latest research and agreement among experts. Learn more about the importance of following your breast cancer treatment plan.