Arimidex

BRCA1 gene, Breast, Metastatic Breast Cancer + 5 more

Treatment

20 Active Studies for Arimidex

What is Arimidex

Anastrozole

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Anastrozole is a non-steroidal drug used to lower the amount of estrogen in postmenopausal women with estrogen-sensitive breast cancer. Unlike other aromatase inhibitors, Anastrozole does not come with steroid-related side effects such as weight gain and acne. Anastrozole is preferred to earlier drugs such as tamoxifen due to its superior effectiveness and fewer side effects. The drug was approved by the FDA in 1995.

Arimidex

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Arimidex Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Arimidex

Anastrozole

1996

74

Effectiveness

How Arimidex Affects Patients

Anastrozole helps to treat breast cancer by reducing the levels of estrogen in the body. It is taken once daily and works quickly, with effects lasting up to 6 days. However, anastrozole has been linked to increased risk of heart disease and decreased bone mineral density. Therefore, it is important to consider the risks as well as the benefits before beginning anastrozole therapy.

How Arimidex works in the body

Anastrazole blocks the body's ability to make estrogen. This is important for hormone receptor-positive cancers, which are cancers that need estrogen to grow. Anastrazole works by competing with the aromatase enzyme, which is found in the adrenal glands, liver, and fat tissues. It blocks the enzyme from converting androgens into estrogens, reducing the amount of estrogen present in the body and slowing the growth of hormone receptor-positive tumors.

When to interrupt dosage

The advised dosage of Arimidex is contingent upon the determined circumstance, such as BRCA1 gene, Invasive Early Breast Cancer and hormone receptor obscure. The measure of dosage vacillates, as per the delivery technique (e.g. Oral or Pellet, implantable - Subcutaneous) featured in the table underneath.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Breast

, 1.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 4.0 mg

Oral, , Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Pellet - Oral, Pellet, Subcutaneous, Pellet, implantable - Subcutaneous, Pellet, implantable

Breast Neoplasms

, 1.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 4.0 mg

Oral, , Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Pellet - Oral, Pellet, Subcutaneous, Pellet, implantable - Subcutaneous, Pellet, implantable

2-3 years of tamoxifen therapy

, 1.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 4.0 mg

Oral, , Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Pellet - Oral, Pellet, Subcutaneous, Pellet, implantable - Subcutaneous, Pellet, implantable

BRCA1 gene

, 1.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 4.0 mg

Oral, , Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Pellet - Oral, Pellet, Subcutaneous, Pellet, implantable - Subcutaneous, Pellet, implantable

Metastatic Breast Cancer

, 1.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 4.0 mg

Oral, , Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Pellet - Oral, Pellet, Subcutaneous, Pellet, implantable - Subcutaneous, Pellet, implantable

Breast

, 1.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 4.0 mg

Oral, , Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Pellet - Oral, Pellet, Subcutaneous, Pellet, implantable - Subcutaneous, Pellet, implantable

hormone receptor unknown

, 1.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 4.0 mg

Oral, , Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Pellet - Oral, Pellet, Subcutaneous, Pellet, implantable - Subcutaneous, Pellet, implantable

disease progression with tamoxifen therapy

, 1.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 4.0 mg

Oral, , Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Pellet - Oral, Pellet, Subcutaneous, Pellet, implantable - Subcutaneous, Pellet, implantable

Warnings

Arimidex Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

Do Not Combine

Anastrozole may interact with Pulse Frequency

Breast Milk Production

Do Not Combine

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Arimidex.

Common Arimidex Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Amiodarone

Major

The metabolism of Amiodarone can be decreased when combined with Anastrozole.

Brigatinib

Major

The metabolism of Brigatinib can be decreased when combined with Anastrozole.

Cabazitaxel

Major

The metabolism of Cabazitaxel can be decreased when combined with Anastrozole.

Enasidenib

Major

The metabolism of Enasidenib can be decreased when combined with Anastrozole.

Erlotinib

Major

The metabolism of Erlotinib can be decreased when combined with Anastrozole.

Arimidex Toxicity & Overdose Risk

The most toxic dose of anastrozole that has been reported in a human female is 1.68mg/kg, administered over 12 weeks. There is limited information on the effects of overdosing on anastrozole as no one has ever taken more than 60mg, which was given to a healthy male volunteer with no serious side effects. Treatment should focus on managing the symptoms and monitoring the patient's vital signs. Since anastrozole does not bind to protein, dialysis may be used in some cases to help remove the drug from the body.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Arimidex Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Arimidex?

113 active studies are presently underway to assess the potential of Arimidex for the treatment of Invasive Early Breast Cancer, 2-3 years of tamoxifen therapy and Hormone Receptor Unknown Disorders.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

hormone receptor unknown

0 Actively Recruiting

Metastatic Breast Cancer

1 Actively Recruiting

Phase 1, Phase 2

BRCA1 gene

12 Actively Recruiting

Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 1, Early Phase 1, Phase 3

Breast

10 Actively Recruiting

Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 3, Phase 4

2-3 years of tamoxifen therapy

0 Actively Recruiting

Breast Neoplasms

0 Actively Recruiting

Breast

0 Actively Recruiting

disease progression with tamoxifen therapy

0 Actively Recruiting

Arimidex Reviews: What are patients saying about Arimidex?

5

Patient Review

3/19/2022

Arimidex for malignant tumor or cancer

I've tried a lot of different steroids over the years, and this is by far the best one I've found for dealing with high estrogen levels. No pain, no joint problems, no fatigue, just great results in the gym.

4.3

Patient Review

8/12/2020

Arimidex for Breast Cancer that has Spread to Another Part of the Body

I've been on this medication for eight years and, up until recently, it's been going great. I never got over hot flashes, but that was never a big deal to me. However, my feet and ankles have started swelling and I've gained a lot of weight. My primary care physician keeps telling me to lose weight, but it seems impossible with this medication.

3.7

Patient Review

3/13/2020

Arimidex for Breast Cancer

In 2005, I had a lumpectomy for an invasive ductal carcinoma. I received 35 treatments of radiation and was started on Arimidex for 5 years. The only side effect I experienced was crying, so my primary care physician put me on an antidepressant. Now, I have neuropathy in my feet that neurologist said is more commonly seen in people who had received chemotherapy.

3.7

Patient Review

6/2/2017

Arimidex for Breast Cancer

2.3

Patient Review

9/27/2017

Arimidex for Breast Cancer

1.7

Patient Review

4/5/2019

Arimidex for Hormone Receptor Positive Breast Cancer

My bone pain increased and I even fractured my spine after using this treatment for six months.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about arimidex

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Is Arimidex a form of chemotherapy?

"No, ARIMIDEX is not a type of cytotoxic chemotherapy. It is a hormonal treatment that works by reducing the amount of estrogen produced by your body."

Answered by AI

Does Arimidex cause weight gain?

"Some people who use Arimidex may gain weight during treatment, 9% of those taking Arimidex in a study had weight gain, as well as 9% of women who took a different cancer drug, tamoxifen, for 5 years."

Answered by AI

What does Arimidex do to the body?

"Arimidex works by blocking the enzyme aromatase, which turns the hormone androgen into estrogen in the body. This means less estrogen is available to stimulate the growth of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer cells. Arimidex will not work on hormone receptor-negative breast cancer."

Answered by AI

What are the most common side effects of Arimidex?

"hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness or changes in sexual appetite

The possible side effects of menopause are constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, loss of appetite, body aches and pains (back pain, bone pain, joint pain or stiffness), breast swelling/tenderness/pain, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness or changes in sexual appetite."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Arimidex

Image of Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, United States.

Magic Ink for Breast Cancer

18+
Female
Detroit, MI

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if tattoos applied with Magic Ink is as safe as commercially available standard tattoo ink for the purpose of radiation in women with breast cancer undergoing radiation treatment. The main questions are: * Is the Magic Ink as safe as standard tattoo ink * Does Magic Ink continue to function and remain visible for radiation therapists during the treatment Participants will be consented and given a skin assessment. Once enrolled participants will be administered the Magic Ink tattoo instead of the standard tattoo ink in preparation for their radiation treatment. Participants will also complete a survey regarding body image. Skin assessment will occur again after the first week of radiation and at 3 months later. Throughout the radiation therapy the medical physicist will complete surveys about ease of set-up of the equipment.

Recruiting
Has No Placebo

Karmanos Cancer Institute

Michael Dominello, DO

Have you considered Arimidex clinical trials?

We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Arimidex, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Go to Trials
Image of Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, United States.

Memantine + Exercise for Cognitive Impairment in Breast Cancer

18+
Female
Chapel Hill, NC

This randomized, placebo-controlled trial aims to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of memantine and the University of Carolina (UNC)'s Get Real \& Heel cancer exercise program (MEM+EX) in addressing cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) and underlying CRCI biomarkers. Ninety stage I-III breast cancer patients with mild cognitive difficulties during chemotherapy will be randomized into three groups: MEM+EX, memantine, or placebo. The study will evaluate recruitment, retention, adherence, acceptability, cognitive function, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), inflammatory markers, and frailty at multiple time points.

Phase 2
Recruiting

Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Zev Nakamura, MD

Have you considered Arimidex clinical trials?

We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Arimidex, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Go to Trials

Have you considered Arimidex clinical trials?

We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Arimidex, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Go to Trials