Breast cancer is the most common of the many types of cancerous tumors in the female half of humanity. As a rule, this disease is found in one in nine women under the age of forty-five and one in thirteen - over the age of fifty-five.
Treatment is complicated by the fact that cancer spreads through the body through the lymphatic system by forming metastases. If this disease is detected early, positive treatment with remission is possible.
But it also happens that after several courses of chemotherapy, long-term use of concomitant drugs, it turns out that the treatment is incorrectly selected. Each type of cancer has its own treatment protocols depending on age as well as the course of the disease.
To determine the method of treatment, tests are carried out, the main of which is cytology. Only then is it possible to receive adequate treatment. One of the main problems in the choice of drugs is the possibility of side effects on the female genital organs, vision, liver and kidneys, as well as bone tissue.
Identification of a hormone-dependent type of cancer leads to treatment with hormone antagonists, one of which is Arimidex.
Active ingredient
Several decades ago, a patient, having received an appointment, went to a pharmacy and purchased or ordered the drug he needed from an analyst. He accepted treatment without question or regret. In our time, the patient wants to know: what will he drink? What additional he alth problems may occur?
To eliminate all objections, you must study the manufacturer's instructions for Arimidex. The active substance of the drug is anastrozole. It is an anticancer drug of chemical origin that blocks the production of the aromatase enzyme.
Aromatase is a substance involved in the transition of male sex hormones (androgens) to female (estrogens). The increased amount of estrogen promotes the growth of estrogen-dependent tumors.
To suppress the release of estrogen and use anastrozole at a therapeutic dose of 1 mg per day. Taking the drug constantly, patients on the first day reduce the amount of hormones in the blood by 70%, and later by 84%.
Application
If a patient trusts his doctor, he will unconditionally follow all instructions and prescriptions. Even if they are not always correct. Chemotherapy for most ordinary people is the effect of radioactive elements on pathogenic cells. But ingestion of drugs that depress themgrowth, in tablet form, is also chemotherapy.
The instructions for Arimidex tablets clearly state that they can only be used to treat normal (advanced) breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It is also used as a replacement drug for women who have been treated with Tamoxifen for at least three years.
In addition, in patients who have completed a course in the initial stage of cancer, clearly according to the instructions, Arimidex receives only positive reviews.
Dosage
To make it easier to bear the side effects of this particular drug, it is worth carefully studying the way it is taken. Anastrozole in a small dosage of 1 mg is not able to cause severe allergic reactions, as well as worsen the functioning of other organs and systems.
To make the medicine easier to digest, take the pill with plenty of water. Daily intake should occur at the same time so that the concentration of the drug in the blood does not fall.
Drugs that are prescribed when cancer cells are detected, as a rule, they drink from two to five years. The attending physician should schedule tests that will help monitor the general condition of the patient and the cancer.
Features
Laboratory studies conducted over two years have shown that anastrozole, which is part of Arimidex, can only be used by women in the postmenopausal period. This is due to the fact that long-term use can cause infertility.
At animals used duringexperiments, pre-implantation egg loss and a reduction in the number of successful pregnancies were observed. Offspring were born with various deviations.
To avoid various questions about side effects, all results have been included in the instructions for "Arimidex". All side effects in other areas were identified with a significant increase in dosages per daily intake (from 25 to 50 mg).
Side effects
In the instructions for the use of "Armidex" all possible deviations from the norm, observed in female volunteers while taking the drug, are indicated. The study involved about fifty thousand people, most of whom were successfully treated.
- Disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system were observed in the form of anxiety, depression, drowsiness or insomnia, mood swings, general weakness.
- Cardiovascular system: increased blood pressure, dizziness, severe headaches, thromboembolism, thrombophlebitis, leukopenia, tissue edema of the cardiac type.
- Respiratory system: breath holding, inflammatory diseases of the lungs, throat and nose (bronchitis, tracheobronchitis, laryngitis, rhinosinusitis, pharyngitis).
- Gastrointestinal tract: nausea, vomiting, bowel dysfunction (constipation-diarrhea), dry mouth, anorexia or bulimia with excess weight gain due to bowel problems.
- Gynecology: dryness and itching of mucous membranes, impaired reproductive function, uterine bleeding caused by the changedrug.
- Musculoskeletal system: possible bone thinning due to long-term use, trigger finger syndrome.
Analogues
It is so easy not to find such a specific drug in pharmacy chains. For those who have carefully studied the instructions for use of "Arimidex", analogues that are inferior to him in price are much easier to find. Although it is not necessary to talk about a significantly low price, because hormone antagonists, and even a good manufacturer, are always quite expensive.
Full analogues of the active substance must contain anastrozole at a dosage of 1 mg. There are several of these in the expanses of the former CIS, but they are produced in different countries, most often the B altic states. Although there are drugs produced in India, Russia, Ukraine.
Axastrol
The drug is produced by the pharmaceutical factory "Grindeks", Latvia. The package contains twenty-eight film-coated tablets, each containing 1 mg of anastrozole.
The indication states that they can treat advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
From contraindications - pregnancy and lactation, as well as individual sensitivity to anastrozole.
The average price of this drug for Russia is 5-8 thousand rubles, and for Ukraine - from 1500 to 1800 thousand UAH.
Anastera
The drug contains anastrozole 1 mg, but is produced in Argentina. There are two types of packaging: the first - two blisters of fourteen tablets each; the second - three blisters of ten tablets pereach.
Pharmacological group defined as hormone antagonist, enzyme inhibitor.
The indications indicate, in addition to the treatment of estrogen-positive type of cancer in postmenopausal women, the possibility of using it in patients with an estrogen-negative type, but who had previously had a positive experience of treatment with Tamoxifen.
Anastrozole Sandoz
Produced in Germany by the pharmaceutical company Sandoz. The package contains two blisters of twenty-eight tablets. Dosage, method of administration completely coincide with the instructions for use of "Arimidex".
Contraindications include pregnant, lactating and children.
The cost of this drug is much lower than the original. It is also well tolerated, but more affordable.
Contraindications
As mentioned above, according to the instructions "Arimidex" can not be used in women during pregnancy and lactation.
One of the factors affecting the ability to use the drug is its individual tolerability. Individuals who are sensitive to anastrozole, as well as those who are in the menopause, who use Tamoxifen or estrogen preparations, should not use Arimidex.
It can be used with caution or selectively by people suffering from osteoporosis, low lipid balance, coronary heart disease.
For women suffering from osteoporosis, a tendency to soften and brittle bones, the Arimidex manufacturer's instructions clearly indicate that use is possible, butwith great precautions. It is necessary to take tests to check bone density, and additional intake of calcium supplements with vitamin D is also desirable. In special cases, when there is a high probability of a decrease in density, it is possible to administer bisphosphonates at an early stage of cancer before prescribing Arimidex.
Other areas
Athletes are great admirers of various types of hormonal preparations. These are professional athletes in the field of bodybuilding and powerlifting. Before the competition, they undergo a special course of anabolic steroids, allowing them to get in optimal physical shape.
If you remember, according to the instructions for use "Arimidex", its analogues are used to suppress female hormones involved in the formation of primary sexual characteristics. During steroid therapy, athletes experience breast swelling, pain, and redness.
In addition to specialized products, athletes often use analogues of Arimidex, observing all dosages and duration of use according to the instructions.
To avoid all the "charms" of the chosen therapy, athletes start taking anastrozole on the tenth day from the start of the course with rapidly excreted steroids. Although this method is not a panacea and should be carried out under the strict supervision of a physician.
Reviews
Taking hormonal drugs is a big stress for the body. All organs and systems suffer, and the body, not receiving the necessary substances, tries tomake up for it in various ways.
The opinions of doctors and patients faced with the drug "Arimidex" are rather ambiguous. More patients received Arimidex after therapy with another estrogen antagonist, Tamoxifen.
First of all, the high cost of the drug was noted. When making an appointment, many experts suggest studying the instructions for using Arimidex, analogues and reviews of people who have already used it. Why is the question posed like this?
An imported drug, not free for cancer patients. In order to purchase it, you need from eight thousand rubles a month. Not every patient can afford it.
But the reviews of patients who have made a choice in favor of the active substance anastrozole are only positive. It is much easier to carry than Tamoxifen. Less toxic to the body, and most importantly, does not give such side effects.
In the first months of taking, depending on individual tolerance, Arimidex can cause nausea, vomiting and general weakness. Those who were undergoing chemotherapy at that time could not say exactly what this condition gave.
In general, taking the pills is relatively normal. Patients who tried to save money and bought a domestic drug with the same active ingredient were dissatisfied. It was much worse tolerated, and most importantly, severe joint pains became the first signs.
Drug of choice?
There is a big problem with getting free treatment for women facing a diagnosis of breast cancer. Of the free drugs, patients at oncology dispensaries can only count on Tamoxifen, but from a domestic manufacturer.
This drug is difficult to tolerate, although the results are good. Thanks to the reviews, instructions for use of "Arimidex", its analogues, you can decide which of the drugs should be taken.
Doctors say that the best time to receive therapy with Arimidex is a period of three or even four years after the start of treatment with Tamoxifen. Very rarely seen as an initial therapy.
Prescribe anastrozole to women for vital signs when the patient cannot tolerate other, more aggressive enzyme antagonists. But for them, the question of the availability of the drug remains open. A package of medicine costs more than the pensioner receives. And twenty-eight tablets in a package instead of thirty in a year add up to an additional expense.
To decide on taking the drug, it is imperative to study the description of "Arimidex" in the instructions and the reviews of patients who have already completed the course. Perhaps they can help with the decision: to accept or not. Although it is wrong to talk about drugs used in breast cancer as drugs of choice.
Each of the women, having heard a terrible diagnosis, fights for her life and he alth to the last, using all possible means.
