Other Brands/Names

Anamidex, Anzonat, Arimidex, ATZ, Bracer, Brecazole, Sterazol.

How It Works

Anastrozole is a selective aromatase inhibitor. Aromatase is an enzyme involved in producing estrogen, a hormone that helps regulate the female reproductive system. In certain breast cancers, estrogen can stimulate cells to keep multiplying and form tumor tissue.

By blocking the aromatase enzyme, anastrozole lowers estrogen levels. This can shrink estrogen-driven breast tumors or slow their growth in patients, helping prevent the disease from worsening.

Indications

Anastrozole is commonly prescribed to treat advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women whose tumors are estrogen- or progesterone-receptor positive. It is also used as adjuvant therapy to help ensure the best possible outcome, particularly in postmenopausal women with:

• Early-stage breast cancer with positive hormone receptors
• Advanced-stage breast cancer
• Metastatic breast cancer, meaning it has spread to other organs

Contraindication

Do not use this medicine in:

• Premenopausal women with breast cancer
• Severe renal impairment
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women

Side Effects

Although side effects are not common, the following symptoms may occur:

• Reduced bone density (osteoporosis)
• Elevated cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia)
• Hypersensitivity or allergic reactions (such as hives or swollen eyelids)
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Joint pain
• Muscle pain
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Types

In Indonesia, anastrozole is available as a 1 mg film-coated tablet.

Dosage

The usual dose is 1 mg once daily. As adjuvant therapy in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, the recommended treatment duration is 5 years.

Safety

Pregnancy:

This medicine is FDA Category X (studies in animals or humans show fetal abnormalities and/or there is clear evidence of fetal risk from adverse reactions in research or post-marketing use, and the risks clearly outweigh any potential benefit). Therefore, it is not recommended for use during pregnancy.

Drug Interactions

Tamoxifen

Tamoxifen is a medicine that can help in reducing the risk of new breast cancer cases in women with high-risk of breast cancer. Taking anastrozole together with tamoxifen can lower anastrozole in serum levels, so combined use of these medicines requires medical supervision.

Looking for more information about other drugs? Click here!