Arimidex Prescription Drug

Arimidex, the brand name prescription drug of Anastrozole, is a medication used to treat breast cancer in women after menopause. anastrozole lowers the estrogen hormone levels in the body which helps to shrink the size of the tumors and slow down their growth. Arimidex is an oral drug that is used to treat all of the following: Advanced breast cancer after estrogen therapy, advanced Breast Carcinoma, Postmenopausal Early Breast cancer, Breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, and cancer of epithelial tissue in the breast itself.

Anastrozole is for women who have not responded to other drugs for breast cancer. Since Anastrozole reduces the amount of estrogen in the body, Arimidex reduces the estrogen that cancer making cells has to advance the breast cancer. It is possible with Arimidex that too much estrogen can be blocked to the body and thus a test should be done after the first week of use. Aromatase is an enzyme converted by the adrenal gland to a form of estrogen. The Arimidex reduces the level of estrogen in the body by suppressing this enzyme. Using Arimidex can prolong the life of a breast cancer patient and improve the quality of life.

Arimidex is taken once daily with or without food on a regular basis to get the most benefit from the Anastrozole. A full glass of water should be drunk with the Arimidex though. Also Arimidex should not be handled by women who are pregnant or may become pregnant because it can be absorbed through the skin. It is also not recommended that women who are pre-menopausal take Arimidex. Increasing the dosage of the drug will not make the Anastrozole work any faster. Arimidex does have several side effects. Most of them do not bother people enough to worry about or stop taking the Anastrozole. Women should also inform their doctor’s if they are allergic to Anastrozole or have other allergies. Arimidex is a round white pill with a film coating.

Not only should the initial blood test be taken to check the level of estrogen in the body, but also Arimidex can raise the level of cholesterol. Thus women with high cholesterol are more at risk and should have periodic tests to make sure the Arimidex is not raising the levels too high. The Arimidex or Anastrozole needs to be kept at room temperature away from heat and moisture.