Arimidex is basically described as an aromatase inhibitor. It helps preventing the creation of estrogen, a hormone that facilitates the production of breast cancer tumors. It prevents the enzyme called aromatase and stops your body tissues from producing estrogen. Arimidex is not placed in the category of steroids. It is described as a hormonal treatment that lowers the chances of re-occurrence of breast cancer.
Arimidex is prescribed for the treatment of genera forms of breast cancer occurring to women, who have already passed the stage of their menopause. It is used through all the stages of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer.
The list of most common side effects caused by Arimidex are diarrhea, stomach upset, tiredness or fatigue, nervousness, anxiety, headache, nightmares, dry skin, troubled sleep, change in sex drive or performance. However, on having symptoms such as respiration problem, vision problem, depression, chest pain, cold, swollen ankles, and allergic reactions like skin rash, swelling of the tongue, lips and face.
The medicine is best maintained at room temperature. It should be kept in an air-tight container and far away from the reach of heat, light and children.
Anastrozole is the active ingredient present in Arimidex along with multiple other inactive ingredients.
The medicine is taken orally with water. It may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. The schedule must be maintained as prescribed by the doctor. One should not increase or decrease the quantity of medicine on his or her own choice. Also, patients are strictly instructed to not skip or stop the medicine intake on their own as that may lead to problems.
In case you have taken too much of this medicine by mistake, contact your physician or emergency room as soon as possible.
An international randomized controlled trial conducted on of 9366 women with localized breast cancer. These women were given for five years. The women showed remarkable improvement even after 5 years of receiving anastrozole. The trial recommended anastrozole and declared it as the most preferred medical therapy available for postmenopausal females suffering from the problem of localized breast cancer that is estrogen receptor (ER) positive. Another very reliable study has revealed that the recurrence threat is reduced 40%. However, a certain extent of bone fracture risk is there. Also, ER negative patients have shown positive results after using Arimidex.
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