arimidex and kidney function

mircarol1 · February 2008

mircarol1 · February 2008

Hi,

Been on Arimidex for 6 months. So far no joint pain or other SE. Blood work came back and showed BUN/ Creatintine ratio high indicating diminished kidney function. Does any know if this could be an SE from the Arimidex.

Thanks,

Mir

mircarol1 · February 2008

Good morning ,

I forgot to mention my sugar level is high now, never was before Arimidex. I watch what I eat and haven't gained any weight since I started taking the Arimidex. Anyone else have this problem??

Thanks,

Mir

TenderIsOurMight · February 2008

I've been taking Arimidex for quite some time, prompting me to review AstraZeneca's package insert on occasion for common and not so common adverse and side effects.

Here is a direct link to their insert: http://www.astrazeneca-us.com/pi/arimidex.pdf

Here is there basic quick summary for early bc:

"in the early breast cancer clinical trial, common side effects seen with ARIMIDEX include hot flashes, joint symptoms, weakness, mood changes, pain, sore throat, nausea and vomiting, depression, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, swelling of arms/legs, and headache. Fractures (including fractures of the spine, hip, and wrist) occurred more frequently with ARIMIDEX than with tamoxifen (10% vs 7%)."

Here is their package insert blurb on the kidneys:

"Renal Insufficiency

Anastrozole pharmacokinetics have been investigated in subjects with renal insufficiency.

Anastrozole renal clearance decreased proportionally with creatinine clearance and was

approximately 50% lower in volunteers with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance

< 30 mL/min/1.73m2) compared to controls. Since only about 10% of anastrozole is excreted

unchanged in the urine, the reduction in renal clearance did not influence the total body

clearance (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). "

This said, one never fully knows if you the individual may have some idiosyncratic reaction to a drug. In your situation, did you ever have any evidence of kidney compromise (elevated creatinine and BUN) prior to taking Arimidex and are you on any other kidney impacting drugs?

Lastly, while Arimidex is not listed as elevating blood glucose, some of us here on the aromatase inhibitors have commented that our sugars seem to be going up. Must be that belly fat accumulation that seems to go hand in hand with low estrogen and AI's.

A check for diabetes may not be a bad idea, though. Elevated glucose over time does impact kidney function.

Hope this helps, and welcome to breastcancer.org, with regret that you've had a diagnosis of breast cancer.

All the best to you,

Tender

badboob67 · February 2008

I have Zometa infusions monthly in addition to the Arimidex I take daily. It is my understanding that biophosphonates are hard on the kidneys; I have a blood chemistry test before each Zometa infusion to check my kidney function.

Are you taking anything along with the Arimidex to combat osteoporosis/fractures?

mircarol1 · February 2008

Hi Tender and Bad,

Thanks for your comments. I'm taking Boniva for past 2 years but this is 1st time that tests showed kidney function diminished.I'll ask doc. if there is any connection between Boniva and test results. If so ,again caught between a rock and a hard place since I had osteopenia before I started the Arimidex.

Going for 1 year mamo Sat. Wish me luck.

Mir

belindajo · February 2008

Mir,

The same thing is happening to me! I have always been extremely healthy until breast cancer. Now 10 months out from chemo and also 10 months since starting Arimidex, my creatinine is suddenly high. I also have an elevated blood pressure! I have an appointment with a kidney doctor on March 6. I've been really worried about it. What was your creatinine? Mine was 1.8

Jo

mircarol1 · February 2008

Hi Jo,

My BUN/Creatinine ratio was high, 28, the normal range goes to 22. I'm going to call my oncologist Fri. I'll let you know if he thinks there is a connection to Arimidex ( the docs aren't quick to acknowledge SE).

Mir

FEB · February 2008

I just saw a documentary on what anabolic steroid use does to athletes. The side effects sound just like those from Arimidex. Could it be because Arimidex is also a steroid. When I saw that Arimidex was for sale on the black market for steroid use for bodybuilders, I decided that this was the final reason that convinced me not to take this drug. I know that I will be criticized profoundly for adding this comment, but I just cannot sit by and listen anymore to how much these drugs are affecting the quality of life for so many of you. I am not saying do not take this drug. But I am saying think twice about it. My doctors, whom I have the utmost respect for, have turned their back on me because I would not participate in one of the trials and go on this drug. They do not like it when we do not follow their directions, but I had to listen to that little voice in my head that said, this drug was not the answer for me. I truly believe that I can balance my estrogen level with proper diet and exercise, and I have made so many changes, and gotten rid of so many bad habits, that I feel healthier than I was before BC. I have found a holistic doctor who is helping through this process, and she is so supportive. I was most afraid of the fact that their were no long term studies done on the use of Arimidex. When I saw this documentary, I felt so much better that I am not putting this into my body. Doesn't it seem logical that a healthy body can fight the effects of free radicals better? Doesn't it seem logical that a drug that causes weight gain, joint pain, and messes with memory, and may effect the heart, liver and kidney, is not a good thing?

I am sure I will receive an avalanche of hate mail for my comments, but my heart goes out to all of you who are suffering. Please listen to your body.

DJW · February 2008

No hate mail here. I too am researching arimidex and trying to decide if the side effects out weigh the benefits. If radiation kill the cancer cells and there is no lymph node involment and there is still a chance it will recurr with taking the arimidex why take it. I am not saying don't take it you have to look at your situation and decide. My cancer was found early, was small, had not spread was ER+ had a lumpectomy with 33 radiation tx, but the medication is making me so sick. I don't want to go 5 years like this and yes my oncl wants me to take it. Any research results would be so appreciated. Like what are the % that it return with A or with out. Please help.

Thanks DJW

FEB · February 2008

DJW

I had the exact same diagnosis and treatment as you. Lumpectomy, clear margins and nodes, stage 1, ER+, did radiation. I felt confident that the cancer was gone. If my cancer had been worse, I probably would have felt differently about taking arx. But I was told my chance of recurrance after radiation was less than 10% and the drug would make it about 5-10, so I did not see the reasoning. I truly feel a healthy diet and exercise routine and trying to use foods and supplements to balance my hormones would be just as beneficial. The truth is no one can tell for sure if cancer will return or not. Stats are just stats, while every person is different. Also, studies do not take into account those who use holistic treatments while on these drugs, so that is not taken into account. In the end it is all a crap shoot. We all have to look into our hearts, and listen to our bodies and do what we honestly feel is best for us. Either way there will be a placebo effect. If you feel a drug will work, it is more likely to and if you feel holistic means will be better for you, then it will be. We do have a mind and body connection. I am just not going to worry about cancer returning. I am going to do what I can to make my body as healthy as possible so that all those free radicals that we cannot control, will be snuffed out by my healthy cells.

Good luck to you.

Linda

Gaye-Doreen · July 2015

DJW - I am with you on this. I am post mastectomy on the left and my Oncologist is pushing for Arimidex as well. Terrifies me! The side effects I might have to deal with for at least 5 years sound horrible. My quality of live will go to heck and I don't want to live that way. That bottle stares at me from my kitchen counter unopened. I am 63 and would be 68 when done with it. I will probably be done for as well. Interestingly, none of my doctors seems to care. It's "take it or risk reoccurrence" - great, but suffer horribly in the meantime. Even my gynecologist told me that it will erase everything in me that is female. Are you kidding me?!!!! And for such a small percentage of additional survival? I already had reduced kidney function and high blood sugar before my surgery and I am afraid that this will just push me further off the edge.

MelissaDallas · July 2015

Gaye-Doreen, this is a very old thread and DJW has not logged in since 2009.

If you search Arimedex there are current threads on the topic

exbrnxgrl · July 2015

I hate to keep this very old thread active, but reading through it I noticed that, about 5 posts back, someone mentioned that Arimidex is a steroid used by body builders. Although it is used by body builders, it is not a steroid. Since steroids can have aromatizing properties, and act like estrogens, Arimidex is used at the end of a steroid cycle to diminish estrogenic effects, like breast growth in men. The poster made the assumption that it was a steroid because she saw that it was for sale on the black market for bodybuilders. So, while it is used by bodybuilders, Arimidex is not a steroid, but an aromatase inhibitor.

kvtstrong · December 2017

This IS an old thread, but I find it helpful. Age 57 at diagnosis in April 2015, of rt breast lobular ductal in situ with two positive nodes. 27 nodes removed with rt side mastectomy. 12 rounds chemo (taxol), then 28 rads. Followed with two years tamoxifen (so nervous taking that one, but no side effects). Started anastrazole 3 mo ago, so far no side effects except strange 'smell' like chemical in my nose. Had something similar during chemo. Is this a possible side effect?

Thank

arimidex and kidney function

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