ANASTROZOLE

frances1

 I am done with radiation for seven weeks, I didn't do chemo  since my oncotype scores were 16

 My onco put me on Anastrozole. Does anyone takes it...Is it good as tamoxifen..I heard a lot

 about tamoxifen but nobody mentioned Anastrozole...Please advice...

dlb823

frances, Anastrozole is the generic name for Arimidex, one of 3 aromatese inhibitors that are suggested to post-menopausal women for the same purpose Tamoxifen is most-often suggested to pre-menopausal women.  Arimidex works a bit differently than Tamoxifen, but the end result is very similar -- a significant reduction in estrogen levels.

You can Google Arimidex for a full explanation of benefits and potential side effects.  Also, do a search of Active Topics and you'll find it discussed here a lot.   

Hope this helps ~  Deanna

MaureenA

Hi Frances,

I too had an oncotype score of 16; lumpectomy and radiation in 2008. My oncologist presecribed five years of Arimidex.  Since I was already post menopausal at the time of diagnosis, he indicated Arimidex rather than Tamoxifin was the drug of choice for post menopausal women.  Femara would also be an option if I had issues with Arimidex.

As Deanna mentioned Anastrozole is the generic version of Arimidex. I am not sure when the generic version became available, but fairly recently I think.  Since I have tolerated Arimidex fairly well, my oncologist writes "fill as prescribed" on the prescription so I have not tried the generic version, Anastrozole.  I think there may have been some posts about the generic version on this site.

Congratualations on finishing up your radiation.  

Best wishes.

Maureen

otter

Frances, there are lots of us taking "anastrozole", either as the brand-name drug "Arimidex", or in the recently-approved generic form.  Wander over to the "Hormonal Therapy" forum, and you'll see several threads with "Arimidex" in the title.  Most of us haven't started calling it "anastrozole" yet. 

The generic became available a few months ago.  The pharmacy I use began stocking the generic right away; and when I filled my most recent prescription for "Arimidex" (with "product selection permitted"), my pharmacist asked if it was okay to give me the generic form.  That pharmacy stopped carrying the brand-name version once the generic became available.  (The price difference is substantial.)  My insurance, which is a very good policy, no longer covers the brand-name form -- they've taken it off their formulary.

So, yes, we're here (or, over there)!  BTW, aromatase inhibitors like Arimidex/anastrozole are the treatment of choice for reducing the risk of ER+ BC recurrence in post-menopausal women.

otter