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:

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.