Arimidex vs generic Anastrozole

sjeilers · December 2010

I started on Arimidex and had basic side effects of knee joint pain and I put on approximately 45 lbs, while I was eating healthy and going to the gym 3 days a week. When the Anastrozole came out I switched to it because everyone informed me that it was the same thing. However, I have had a major increase in side effects with the generic. I still have weight gain, however it seems to have tapered off, and the joint pain in my knees. However, now added to my side efffects are muscles spasms in my back at various times, headaches, bloating, heartburn, pain in my pelvic area, can't sleep at night and even my teeth ache now. I have also noticed a major change in my moods, I am constantly depressed and ready to snap at anything at the drop of a hat, and for people who know me, that's just not me.

Has anyone else had this big of a change switching to the generic? Or are these side effects that would have eventually appeared if I was still on the Arimidex? I called my oncologist about what I could do and they suggested taking more medication to help with all the side efffects.

Here is my dilemma, before I was diagnosed, I hated to take any type of medication. I did have chemo, even though I was against it. However, I am considering stopping the Arimidex all together. I was diagnosed at at the beginnings of stage 2, and it had not spread to my lymphnodes. I had a bilateral mastectomy, because of my age and the chance it might come back. I don't know what to do at this point. If the side effects are tearing apart my body from the Arimedex, is it worth it to be on?

otter · December 2010

sjeilers, you've posted your question on a forum where there aren't likely to be very many helpful answers. May I suggest something? There is a whole forum on these boards dedicated to discussions about "hormonal therapy," including Arimidex and the other estrogen-suppressing drugs. The forum is called, "Hormonal Therapy - Before, During and After."

If you scroll down the page where the forums are listed and click on that "Hormonal Therapy - " forum, you'll find a lot of threads that might be of interest to you at this point in your treatment. Two examples are the threads called, "Arimidex - Coping with the SE's," and, simply, "Arimidex".

Many of us who were originally on brand-name Arimidex switched to a generic version when the FDA approval of generic "anastrozole" was announced. Personally, I have not noticed any differences at all (except a very big difference in the amount of money that stays in my checking account now!). But, rather than talk more about that here, I want to encourage you to wander over to the "Hormonal Therapy - " forum where you'll find lots of us in the same situation you are in, and with the same questions.

otter

Lindissima · December 2010

sjeilers,

I had the same question as you.

I had minimal side effects with Arimidex: some hot flashes mostly with a litle joint soreness.

After switching to Anastrazole, I have greatly increased joint and knee pain, plus insomnia.

I am thinking of switching back to Arimidex.

nancyinaustin · December 2010

I have been taking the generic prescription Anastrozole since Nov 14 (nurse gave me 14 samples of Arimidex at first to see how it affected me) so far so good yes I have aches & pains onc said this is to be expected.

I'm post-menopausal (65) but have never had hot flashes as far as I can tell. On the contrary, I get cold very easily, always have. However, I did feel "wetness" on central & lower back during rads, rad nurse felt area, said it wasn't wet at all....I could have sworn I was sopping wet back there!

Is this the "pill from hell" referred to in other threads?? It truly feels like being back on the birth control pill (they took me off that in '81'cause back then I smoked---quit smoking in '99.

I too am not a medication kid. But the onc says to take this once a day efvery day for 5 years! One thing I like about it, it's miniscule, looks exactly those white dilaudid pills my heroin-junkie friends used to shoot up back in the day----very tiny, easy to lose, have to great care wit them what with my still-numb fingertips.

I

Pidge · March 2011

I started the generic last August (7 months). Lots of hot flashes during the transition from Arimidex to Anastrozole. I am more sensitive to hot rooms, hot weather that bring on serious flashes with profuse sweating. I have noticed a definite increase in thinning hair (would Arimidex have done this as well?) and vaginal dryness. The most marked SE is aching, aching, aching knees, back, bones. I feel like I have the flu all the time - even my skin is sensitive, like when you have the flu. I take Excedrin 2 or 3 times per day. The aching is not debilitating, but it does make me miserable often. I am convinced there is a difference in the formula of the generic and Arimidex; however, if I go back to Brand Only, insurance will not pay more than it would for the generic - about an 1100.00 difference. My hope is that consumers will complain loudly and that the chemists will take another look at the generic.

Lena · March 2011

I'm taking generic Arimidex now -- started it in November 2010, after having been on Aromasin, then Femara before that.

I don't notice any difference at all with regards to SEs -- I find ALL these AIs exactly the same in terms of how I feel, which is frackin lousy, only MINIMALLY BEARABLE. That's why I've been on three AIs, docs would tell me maybe one wouldn't be as bad as the rest but as it happens, for MY body, they ALL TOTALLY SUCK EXACTLY THE SAME! and what about "Aromatase inhibitors make me feel like crap!" do they NOT understand?! So, I have the joint pains, my hands and feet hurting, unending hot flashes I'm sooo sick of them already, and severe depression (which the antidepressant only partially helps).

As to weight gain -- I stayed the same weight while on chemo (which was 10 pounds heavier than I wanted to be anyway!), but several months out of chemo I saw I'd piled on 20 MORE, so now I HAD TO lose 30 pounds. :-( However, to be honest, I can only attribute 10 of them to the hormonal medications.

The good news -- the ONLY good news I have at all concerning my body these days -- I have lost 29 of those 30 pounds -- only one more to go. YAY!

jag755 · July 2013

My onc told me about a special program thru Eagle Pharmacy online, I am getting the brand name armidex for only 40.00 a month vs 1,500 thru my mail order insurance. My insurance refused me the brand name, so my onc told me about this program. Your onc just has to fax the prescription to them after you call them and set it up. It's a fantastic program. I've been on the generic for for 2 years, I'm praying the side effects will lesson on the armidex. Hope this helps some of you to be able to switch to the brand name. Here is the link to their site:

http://arimidex.com/arimidex-direct.aspx

Arimidex vs generic Anastrozole

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