- What is anastrozole-oral, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
- What brand names are available for anastrozole-oral?
- Is anastrozole-oral available as a generic drug?
- Do I need a prescription for anastrozole-oral?
- What are the side effects of anastrozole-oral?
- What is the dosage for anastrozole-oral?
- Which drugs or supplements interact with anastrozole-oral?
- Is anastrozole-oral safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
- What else should I know about anastrozole-oral?
What is anastrozole-oral, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
Anastrozole is an aromatase inhibitor, an anti-cancer medication use for the adjuvant or initial treatment of breast cancer in post-menopausal women. Estrogen causes or increases growth of certain breast cancers. Anastrozole works by blocking aromatase enzyme, which is involved in estrogen production in the body. This leads to decreased tumor size or delayed progression of tumor growth in some women. The FDA approved brand name anastrozole (Arimidex) in 1995.
What are the side effects of anastrozole-oral?
Side effects of anastrozole are hot flashes, pain, arthritis, headache, increased blood pressure, depression, nausea, vomiting, bone pain, weakened bones, sleeplessness, and rash.
SLIDESHOW
Breast Cancer Awareness: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment See SlideshowWhat is the dosage for anastrozole-oral?
The recommended dose of anastrozole is one tablet (1 mg) by mouth once daily.
Is anastrozole-oral safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Anastrozole is not recommended for pregnant mothers under any circumstances. Anastrozole may cause fetal harm and terminate pregnancy.
It is not known whether anastrozole enters breast milk. It should not be administered to nursing mothers to avoid any harm to the newborn.
Summary
Anastrozole (Arimidex)is prescribed for post-surgical treatment of breast cancer in women who are postmenopausal. Side effects drug interactions, dosage, storage, and safety information should be reviewed prior to taking this medication.
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