Arimidex
Arimidex: instructions for use and reviews
- 1. Release form and composition
- 2. Pharmacological properties
- 3. Indications for use
- 4. Contraindications
- 5. Method of application and dosage
- 6. Side effects
- 7. Overdose
- 8. Special instructions
- 9. Application during pregnancy and lactation
- 10. Use in childhood
- 11. In case of impaired renal function
- 12. For violations of liver function
- 13. Drug interactions
- 14. Analogs
- 15. Terms and conditions of storage
- 16. Terms of dispensing from pharmacies
- 17. Reviews
- 18. Price in pharmacies
Latin name: Arimidex
ATX code: L02BG03
Active ingredient: anastrozole (anastrozole)
Producer: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP (USA)
Description and photo update: 2019-23-08
Prices in pharmacies: from 1290 rubles.
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Arimidex is an anticancer drug used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
Release form and composition
The medicinal product is produced in the form of round biconvex tablets, coated with a white color, with engraving: on one side - "A", on the other - "Adx / 1" (14 pcs. In a blister, 2 blisters in a cardboard box).
The active ingredient is anastrozole, in 1 tablet - 1 mg.
Auxiliary components: sodium carboxymethyl starch, magnesium stearate, lactose monohydrate, povidone, purified water.
Shell composition: macrogol 300, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, purified water.
Pharmacological properties
Pharmacodynamics
Anastrozole is a highly selective non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor, an enzyme by which androstenedione in postmenopausal women is converted to estrone and then to estradiol in peripheral tissues. Decreasing circulating estradiol levels has a therapeutic effect in breast cancer patients. In postmenopausal women, Arimidex in a daily dose of 1 mg leads to a decrease in estradiol levels by 80%.
Does not possess progestogenic, estrogenic and androgenic activity.
When used in a dose of 10 mg per day, anastrozole has no effect on the secretion of aldosterone and cortisol (i.e., during therapy, replacement administration of corticosteroids is not required).
Pharmacokinetics
Anastrozole after oral administration is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The time to reach C max (maximum concentration of the substance) in plasma when taken on an empty stomach is achieved in 2 hours. Food somewhat reduces the rate, but not the degree of absorption. Minor changes in the rate of absorption with daily intake of 1 tablet do not lead to a clinically significant effect on C ss (equilibrium concentration) of anastrozole in plasma.
The level of binding to plasma proteins is 40%. About 90–95% of C ss is achieved after 7 days of therapy. There is no information on the dependence of the pharmacokinetic parameters of anastrozole on time and dose and on the cumulation of the drug.
Anastrozole is metabolized by N-dealkylation, hydroxylation and glucuronization. The main metabolite detected in plasma, triazole, does not inhibit aromatase.
It is excreted slowly, T 1/2 (half-life) is in the range from 40 to 50 hours. Excretion of the substance and metabolites is carried out mainly in the urine (unchanged - less than 10% of the dose) within 72 hours after taking Arimidex.
Indications for use
The use of Arimidex is aimed at reducing the level of estradiol in women. The drug does not possess androgenic, progestogenic and estrogenic activity. The therapeutic effect is highly effective in the treatment of hormone-dependent cancers.
According to the instructions, Arimidex is used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women, as well as an adjuvant therapy for early hormone-positive breast cancer, including after tamoxifen therapy.
Contraindications
- Severe renal failure;
- Hepatic failure of moderate and severe degree;
- Concomitant therapy with tamoxifen;
- Hypersensitivity to the components of the product;
- Pregnancy and lactation.
The efficacy and safety of using Arimidex in childhood has not been established.
The drug is not intended for the treatment of premenopausal women.
Instructions for the use of Arimidex: method and dosage
Arimidex tablets are taken for a long time, orally, without chewing, with water, 1 pc. Once a day, preferably at the same time of day.
In cases where signs of disease progression appear, the use of Arimidex should be discontinued.
As an adjuvant therapy, the drug is recommended to be taken for 5 years.
Dose adjustment is not required with moderate renal impairment and mild liver impairment.
Side effects
Arimidex most commonly causes hot flashes, skin rashes, carpal tunnel syndrome, nausea and diarrhea, headache, thinning hair, and asthenia.
Arthralgia, vaginal dryness and drowsiness are much less common when using the drug.
Less commonly, anastrozole therapy causes vaginal bleeding, urticaria, anorexia, angioedema, vomiting, hypercholesterolemia, erythema multiforme, anaphylactic shock.
Overdose
There is information about isolated clinical cases of overdose of Arimidex. A single dose of the drug, at which life-threatening symptoms may occur, has not been established.
Therapy: symptomatic, including the induction of vomiting (while maintaining consciousness), general supportive treatment, monitoring and control of the function of vital systems and organs. Dialysis is possible. There is no specific antidote.
special instructions
The simultaneous use of a medication with tamoxifen reduces the therapeutic effect of Arimidex. There are no data on interactions with other antineoplastic agents.
You should not combine taking the drug with medicines containing estrogens.
Anastrozole in the process of lowering the level of estradiol can cause a decrease in bone mineral density, therefore, patients with osteoporosis or the risk of its development should be assessed the state of this indicator both at the beginning of therapy and during treatment. If necessary, under the close supervision of a specialist, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis is carried out.
If it is difficult to determine the patient's hormonal status, menopause should be confirmed by prescribing a blood serum test for sex hormones.
There are no reliable data on the safety of therapy with prolonged use of the drug, as well as in the treatment of patients with severe renal failure or severe liver dysfunction.
With prolonged uterine bleeding against the background of the use of Arimidex, further therapy should be carried out under the supervision of a gynecologist.
Influence on the ability to drive vehicles and complex mechanisms
In case of manifestation of such side effects as drowsiness or asthenia, you should drive a car or other moving mechanisms, as well as perform work that requires quick and accurate reactions, with extreme caution.
Application during pregnancy and lactation
Arimidex is not prescribed during pregnancy / lactation.
Pediatric use
Arimidex therapy is contraindicated in patients under 18 years of age.
With impaired renal function
Arimidex with severe renal failure (with creatinine clearance less than 20 ml / min) is not prescribed.
For violations of liver function
Arimidex is not prescribed for moderate or severe liver failure.
Drug interactions
There is no information on the use of Arimidex in combination with other anticancer drugs.
Preparations containing estrogens and tamoxifen should not be used simultaneously with Arimidex, since they reduce its pharmacological effect.
Analogs
Arimidex analogs are: Anaster, Anastrozole, Mammozol, Estarisole, Anabrez, Anastreks, Egistrazole, Selana, etc.
Medicines related to the same pharmaceutical subgroup in terms of the mechanism of action: Aromeston, Letroza, Letrozole, Letrosan, Letrotera, Femara, Extraza, Lestrodex, Nexazol, Oreta, Estrolet, etc.
Terms and conditions of storage
Keep out of reach of children, at temperatures up to 30 ° C.
Shelf life is 5 years.
Terms of dispensing from pharmacies
Arimidex is a List B drug and is only available with a prescription.
Reviews about Arimidex
According to reviews, Arimidex is a highly effective drug. Many people say that it is better tolerated than other similar drugs. This allows, if necessary, to take Arimidex for a long time, although there are also reports that therapy had to be canceled due to side effects. The cost is assessed as high.
Price for Arimidex in pharmacies
The approximate price for Arimidex (28 tablets) is 5399–6932 rubles.
Arimidex: prices in online pharmacies
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Drug name Price Pharmacy |
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Arimidex 1 mg film-coated tablets 28 pcs. 1290 RUB Buy |
Maria Kulkes Medical journalist About the author
Education: First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, specialty "General Medicine".
Information about the drug is generalized, provided for informational purposes only and does not replace the official instructions. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
