Get Informed: Arimidex
Active Ingredient(s)
Anastrozole
What does it do?
This product is primarily used in the treatment of women with breast cancer. It works by blocking the body's production of estrogens, thereby reducing growth of estrogen sensitive cancers. stimulated by estrogen.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 11:43 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM
Other Names
- Arimidex
- Faslodex
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- D
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 27 Dec 1995
- Est US Patients*
- 208,500
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Arimidex or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Arimidex
There have been no alerts regarding Arimidex during the past year.
Arimidex Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Arimidex used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 1,200 patients that use Arimidex (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Breast Cancer | 89% | 
|
| Cancer | 8% |
|
| Other | 3% |
|
How well does Arimidex work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 1,200 users taking Arimidex (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 91%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Arimidex outweigh the bad things.
- 32%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Arimidex.
Common Side Effects of Arimidex
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 1,200 users taking Arimidex (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
60% of patients experience side-effects on Arimidex
8% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Arimidex
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Bone/Joint Pain
-
Weight Gain
-
Hot Flushes
-
Fatigue
-
Cough
-
Weakness
-
Back Pain
-
Sweating
-
Palpitations
-
Swelling/Edema
-
Nasal Congestions
-
Nausea
-
Vaginal Dryness
-
High Cholesterol
-
Sleep Problems
-
Memory/Speech Problems
-
Hoarse Voice
-
Muscle Pain
-
High Blood Pressure
-
= 10%
Global Patient Feedback for Arimidex (Anastrozole) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I am a 61 yr old female who has been taking Armidex since summer of 07. I have terrible muscle calve pain and cannot straighen out my legs. I am wondering if this along with Crestor is causing the leg pain. I recently had right knee surg and will be having the other knee done day before Thanksgiving. Yea, great timing, huh? I am open for any suggestions. As of this evening I quit taking my Crestor and now I am wondering about the Arimidex also.
61 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-18 02:34:29
Question/Comment:
I am 47 years old. I was on Tamoxifen for 5 years (10 years ago) and now on Arimidex since Aug. 2009 (recurrence of BC and now post-menopausal). I am suddenly getting very achy fingers & joints, and both thumbs now have "trigger finger" where they click when I bend them. They are also painful. I am wondering if it is an "age" thing, or if it related to the Arimidex. I also have a problem with my great toe joint - the fluid is leaking out and causing a painful cyst. I take Calcium w/Vitamin D. Did anyone else notice such changes after being on Arimidex for 11 months?
48 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-18 12:37:57
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Among iGuard members taking Arimidex, 25% report bone or joint pain. It is a common side effect with Arimidex. The cyst and toe joint could be another condition. There are no reports of cysts with Arimidex. Please make an appointment with your doctor to discuss this symptom and the severity of your other symptoms.
Posted: 2009-06-24 23:55:46
Question/Comment:
I am a 69 year old women and have been taking Arimidex for 15 months after breast cancer. The only side effects I have experienced is joint pain which eased after about 9 months and is now fairly mild, and hair loss which I read was also a side effect of Arimidex. I have not had a problem with weight gain or hot flashes. If I am on my feet for a long period of time I will have some back pain but usually is relieved once I sit down for a short time. I do not take any other medication and only take calcium supplements My last bone density test was good. My Doctor recommends taking calcium as Arimidex can effect the bones and joints. He also recommends having a bone density test at least once a year. Overall the effects have been mild and have not caused any problems
70 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-05 22:25:19
Answer/Reply:
I am a 65 yearold female and have been taking Arimidex for 4 1/2 years and the only side effects I have had is mild hot flashes. My bone density is good. I was also taking celebrex for an arthritic hip which I recently had replaced and I am now pain free and no longer take the celebrex.
56 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-22 09:44:11
Question/Comment:
I am a 68 year old and have been on Arimidex for just 3 years. The only side effects that I really experienced was hot flashes. I have joint pain, but assumed it was due to my age. I am also taking synthroid for hypothyroid. I have been on synthroid for at least 8 years now. Could this be part of the reason? I feel that the main reason I am having trouble losing weight is due to the arimidex. I am a weight watcher.
70 year old Female
Posted: 2009-01-07 14:46:58
Answer/Reply:
I am not on Thyroid medication but my daughter is and has been for 7-8 years and and is also hypothyroid. She also has trouble losing weight and was told this a problem for people who have thyroid problems. I can't say if this is the reason for you but is possible. She is not taking Arimidex. I am a 68 year old women and my daughter is 43.
70 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-05 22:50:28
Question/Comment:
i have been on this for 10 months now. my butt aches when i sit for a spell. when i get up, i feel like i am 80. also i feel like my pulse is racing. my hot flashes are not too bad. i take multi, ca-mag, vitd3 and a couple other supplements as well as armour thyroid. any advice or same symptoms?
39 year old Female
Posted: 2008-10-28 10:05:44
Answer/Reply:
For starters: what reason were you, at 38 yrs. old, prescribed Arimidex?
63 year old Female
Posted: 2008-12-26 02:35:31
Answer/Reply:
My Doctor told me that the joint pain in most cases would ease after 9-12 months. I found this to be true for me. It didn't go away completely but eased and is now mild. I,too, would hurt when I first got up after sitting for long periods but once on my feet and moving around goes away. I was told that if the pain was bad there are a couple of other medications that can be tried instead of Arimidex. Good luck and I hope the pain eases for you also. I am 69 Years old and have been on Arimidex for 15 months.
70 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-05 22:42:05
Answer/Reply:
What were the other medications that can be tried instead of Arimidex? I have been taking Arimidex for two years and I would love to be able to try something else as I am miserable. I am experiencing most of the side effects this drug has to offer. The joint/muscle pain is killing me. Can anyone help me? I have an oncology visit next week.
52 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-18 07:40:57
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Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
6
Patient Comments about
Arimidex