Arimidex 1mg – A Treatment for Breast Cancer

Arimidex 1mg is formulated to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. This medicine is the brand name of the generic drug anastrozole, which is administered to those women who have developed breast cancer following tamoxifen therapy. The Food and Drug Administration has approved Arimide,x, which AstraZeneca originally manufactured.

Arimidex 1 mg for Breast Cancer:

Arimidex belongs to a group of medicines known as ‘aromatase inhibitors’. It works by reducing the hormone (estrogen) production in the body. Arimidex does this by blocking an enzyme (aromatase). Those women who have gone through menopause may require hormone receptor-positive to lower the risk of early breast cancer. This adjuvant treatment is administered to postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer. Arimidex 1mg is given for the first-line treatment of postmenopausal women living with hormone receptor or metastatic breast cancer. In contrast, the second-line treatment is given to women with advanced breast cancer who progress after the tamoxifen therapy.

Active Ingredient of Arimidex:

This medicine has anastrozole as an active ingredient. It is widely used with other therapies in the diagnosis of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Also, doctors prescribe this medication for the treatment of breast cancer after tamoxifen therapy.

The Side Effects of Arimidex 1 mg:

The possible side effects of this drug can be classified into two categories: common and serious side effects:

Common side effects include:

• Pain in other areas of the body
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• A headache
• Swelling
• Bone breaks
• Hot flashes
• Stomach, bone, and joint pain and arthritis
• Throat infection
• Infection
• High cholesterol levels
• Weight gain
• Abnormal sensations or tingling in the hands and feet
• Swollen lymph nodes

Serious side effects are:

• Weakness of bones
• Cataracts
• Low red blood cell count
• Low white blood cell count
• Erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
• Cancer of the lining of the uterus (endometrium)
• Blood clots or chest pain
• Stroke, heart attack, or high blood pressure
• Liver inflammation

Drug Interactions:

The intake of Arimidex and grapefruit simultaneously can slow your body’s ability to process certain drugs. Therefore, you should avoid grapefruit along with grapefruit juice. Some medications that may cause drug interactions with Arimidex are:

• Birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy medications
• The supplement of dehydroepiandrosterone
• Soltamox (tamoxifen)
• Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)

When should Arimidex 1 mg not be taken?

Arimidex 1 mg tablet is not recommended for pregnant women. Researchers have found that Arimidex may pose a life-threatening risk to both mothers and their unborn babies. It is also unsafe for breastfeeding women, as its ingredients may cause toxicity to the baby. Since the Arimidex tablet may make you uncomfortable concentrating, dizzy, tired, sleepy, or decrease alertness, one should avoid driving immediately after taking it. Avoid this drug if you are allergic to anastrozole or any other ingredients of Arimidex 1 mg. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop side effects like rash, hot flashes, hives, itching, swelling, wheezing, or shortness of breath.

How to take Arimidex 1mg:

Arimidex tablets can be taken orally. Your doctor can advise you better on the dosage and medication course.

Missed Dose:

If you have forgotten to take a dose of this drug, try to take it within 12 hours of the missed dose. However, if it is more than 12 hours, skip the previous dose and take the next at a regular time. Do not increase the dose amount to compensate for the loss of the missed dose.