Anostrazole/ Is this truly Arimidex?

Anonymous

Anostrazole/ Is this truly Arimidex?

Anonymous

It seems my pharmacist is now fillign my prescirptions for Arimidex wih a "genrice" Anostrazole.  I'm wondering if this is why I am feeling so darn tired and bone achy and inflamed on it.  Please I'd like to hear from anyone going thru these Se's .  Another med they switched on me is Effexor.  I had been taking it for a number of years during PTSD at higher doses.Now I only take 75 mg for debilitating hot flashes.  Bu I've noticed that I am suddenly getting more hot flashes.  I'm sitting here now nodding out I'm so tired, so going to bed.  Let me know, if any of you ladies have gone thru the extra pain in he bones, extreme fatigue and weakness  Thanks

love Barb

chrissyb

Hi Barb, Anastrozole is the active ingredient in Arimidex. Arimidex is a brand name.  With your SE's, perhaps you could check out the thread  'Arimidex...coping with SE's' in the Stage 4 forum, there is a whole lot of information there.  Hope this helps alittle. Love n hugs. chrissyb

jessamine

There shouldn't be any difference between the Arimidex and anastrazole (generic). But there has been plenty of discussion since the generic came out on July 1st- here for example- 

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topic/731121?page=119#idx_3552  

(among other stuff- this thread has gotten very sidetracked lately- go back to around early july)- or here-

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topic/754794?page=1#idx_5 

and for general support, SE discussion, here is the arimidex SE thread-

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topic/755969?page=6#idx_152 

Feel better!

Medigal

Ok want my opinion?  I think a LOT of people are going to be having all kinds of aches and pains now from the generic Arimidex especially if they are reading certain posts about it.  Now if you want to reason this out.  Just think about it.  There were tons of posts on here from people who took and are taking the BRAND Arimidex who stopped due to the same side effects you are talking about.  It is NOT whether it is Brand or Generic but due to the fact that they have to make it from the SAME main ingredient!  For some people whether you use the BRAND or GENERIC it MAY cause the pains etc and for others like myself we are so grateful it is keeping us ALIVE that we put up with certain pains to survive.  I managed 5 years on it and now am on my second 5 years and will take it until my Onc says I must stop. 

I found that the first year on Arimidex was the worse then things calmed down or I just got used to my new way of life.  People talk a lot about Quality of Life being destroyed.  Well, I think being DEAD gives us a worse or no QOL.  So I will trade QOL for Life any day and am so grateful this little white pill gives me that choice.  I don't know how long I will luck out on it but I am willing to do what it takes.  I think the Effexor is an anti-depressant and you might find it helpful with some of the side effects.  I was too stupid to fill my anti-depressant rx years ago and faced any ses on my own.  I have a problem with anti-depressant side effects.  So please don't be scared off of this marvelous med because you may read some negative posts. Give your body a chance to adjust to it and if the going gets rough at times, convince yourself it is worth it to be able to survive.  QOL isn't worth much if you aren't here to enjoy it so do whatever it takes to make sure you survive!  If your doctor is as good as he should be, he should be testing your bones along the  way and making sure your bone density is good.  If the doctor feels the drug is harmful to you, I am sure he/she would want to switch you to another one or take you off entirely.  It isn't like we are in this all alone.  

Best of luck to you!

NatureGrrl

As mentioned, anastrazole is the active ingredient in Arimidex.  The inactive ingredients may vary some from generic to generic and from the brand name, but they rarely cause SE's (but for a few women it may make a difference). 

You didn't mention how long you've been on Arimidex.  I know for me I didn't have any SE's for the first couple of months but then I got hit, but my body adjusted and things leveled out.  I, too, had bone/joint pain and fatigue but do pretty well most of the time.  I'm having a new flare-up (at 6 months, FWIW) but most of it (except my left wrist) has gone already; I think flare-ups from time to time aren't unheard of.

The "Arimedex - Coping with the SE's" thread mentioned is in the Hormonal Therapy forum; there may be one in the Stage IV forum as well.  I know the one in the Hormonal Therapy forum gets a lot of use; like many others, out of respect for the Stage IV women, I tend to mostly not post there because I'm not going through their experience.  Worth checking the Hormonal Therapy forum if you haven't found it yet, lots of great advice/ideas for what has helped people.

You aren't alone!  Good luck...