| |
|
What is Anastrzole?
|
|
Anastrozole
is used to treat advanced breast cancer in
postmenopausal women who have failed to respond to
therapy with other drugs, such as tamoxifen (Nolvadex).
Anastrozole works by decreasing the amount of estrogen
your body makes, so that breast cancers which require
estrogen for growth may decrease in growth rate and
size.
|
|
|
|
How does Anastrzole work?
|
|
As
an aromatase inhibitor, Anastrzole mechanism of action
– blocking conversion of aromatizable steroids to
estrogen -- is in contrast to the mechanism of action of
anti-estrogens such as clomiphene or tamoxifen, which block estrogen receptors
in some tissues, and activate estrogen receptors in
others. During a cycle, if using Anastrzole, there is
generally no need to use Clomid as well, but (as
mentioned in the section on Clomid)
there may still be benefits to doing so.
|
|
|
|
What is Anastrzole used for?
|
|
Anastrozole is a reversible (Type II), nonsteroidal aromatase
inhibitor. Aromatase catalyzes the final and
rate-limiting step in the conversion of androgens to
estrogens in peripheral tissues. This occurs mainly in
adipose tissue, but also in normal and malignant breast
tissues, and provides the main source of estrogen in
postmenopausal women. The goal of hormone therapy in
breast cancer is to deprive tumour cells of estrogens,
which are implicated in the development or progression
of tumours. Maximal estrogen suppression is produced by
a 1mg dose. Estrogen suppression is maintained for up to
six days after discontinuing anastrozole.
Differences in the mechanism of action may contribute to
the apparent lack of cross-resistance between steroidal
(eg, exemestane) and nonsteroidal (eg, anastrozole and
letrozole) aromatase inhibitors. Highly selective
blockade of aromatase does not interfere with the
production of other steroids (eg, adrenal
corticosteroids, aldosterone6 or thyroid
stimulating hormone. Anastrozole does not have
progestogenic, androgenic or estrogenic activity.
|
|
|
|
Anastrzole
side effects
|
|
Although
side effects from anastrozole are not common, they can
occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are
severe or do not go away:
 |
weakness
or tiredness
|
 |
upset
stomach or vomiting
|
 |
headache
|
 |
hot
flashes
|
 |
bone,
pelvic, and back pain
|
 |
cough
|
 |
diarrhea
|
 |
constipation
|
 |
stomach
pain
|
 |
loss
of appetite
|
 |
sore
throat
|
 |
dizziness
|
 |
rash
|
 |
dry
mouth
|
 |
swelling
of the arms, legs, or ankles (edema)
|
 |
depression
|
 |
numbness
|
 |
vaginal
hemorrhage
|
 |
weight
gain
|
 |
sweating
|
 |
increased
appetite
|
 |
increased
blood cholesterol
|
|
|
|
Anastrozole Clinical
Trials-1
|
Anastrozole Clinical
Trials-2 |
Anastrozole Clinical
Trials-3 |
|
Anastrozole Patents-1
|
Anastrozole Patents-2 |
Anastrozole Patents-3 |
|
|
|
Disclaimer:
|
|
Information on
this page is provided for general information purposes.
You should not make a clinical treatment decision based
on information contained in this page without consulting
other references including the package insert of the
drug, textbooks and where relevant, expert opinion. We
cannot be held responsible for any errors you make in
administering drugs mentioned on this page, nor for use
of any erroneous information contained on this page.
|