Arimidex: Side Effects, Alternatives, Dosage, Cost, and More

After 6 months of treatment there was no statistically significant difference in the percentage of patients who experienced a ≥50% reduction in gynecomastia (primary efficacy analysis). Serum estradiol concentrations at Month 6 of treatment were reduced by 15.4% in the anastrozole group and 4.5% in the placebo group. Mean serum total cholesterol levels increased by 0.5 mmol/L among patients receiving anastrozole. Increases in LDL cholesterol have been shown to contribute to these changes. Anastrozole is used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It is often given to women whose cancer has progressed even after taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex, Soltamox).

For example, side effects such as osteoporosis (weakened bones) or liver problems may not occur for months or years after taking the drug. Your doctor will monitor you for these side effects. Arimidex is not currently approved for bodybuilding purposes. It’s only approved to treat certain forms of breast cancer.

Medical and dental treatment

Keep using birth control for at least 3 weeks after your last dose of Arimidex. Using the Arimidex Patient Direct mail-order pharmacy program might help lower your cost for Arimidex. They may be able to suggest pharmacy options that could work for you. Anastrozole is a generic prescription drug used to treat types of breast cancer.

What Are Warnings and Precautions for Anastrozole?

Factors to consider include those in the list below. This list does not contain all types of drugs that may interact with Arimidex. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur with use of Arimidex. Before you start taking Arimidex, talk with your doctor about any other medical conditions you have and other medications you take. In some cases, Arimidex may not be the best treatment option for you. Below are some medications and medical conditions that you should discuss with your doctor before starting Arimidex.

Do doctors prescribe Arimidex for use in males?

Simply show the Optum Perks coupon at your preferred pharmacy and instantly save without using insurance. The coupon doesn’t expire so be sure to save it for use with refills. To save money on your anastrozole prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons. Anastrozole tablets may also cause you to have tickling, tingling or numbness of your skin. The growth of many cancers of the breast is stimulated or maintained by estrogens.

• A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study enrolled 80 boys with pubertal gynecomastia aged 11 to 18 years.
• To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or read Arimidex’s prescribing information.
• The pharmacokinetics of anastrozole are linear over the dose range of 1 to 20 mg, and do not change with repeated dosing.
• These were nausea, acne, pain in an extremity, increased alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase, and allergic dermatitis.
• Throughout your treatment with Arimidex, your doctor will monitor you for symptoms of blood clots.

In rats, these effects were dose related, and placental weights were significantly increased at doses equal to or greater than 0.1 mg/kg/day. Although it is not likely that a postmenopausal woman would be pregnant, anastrozole may harm an unborn Finasteride costs baby. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Use effective birth control if you are not past menopause. Keep using birth control for at least 3 weeks after your last dose of anastrozole. Anastrozole belongs to a class of drugs called aromatase inhibitors.

Your doctor can help answer your questions and determine whether Arimidex is safe for you. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Do not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose. You should not use Arimidex if you are allergic to anastrozole, or if you have not yet completed menopause. Arimidex is often given to women whose cancer has progressed even after taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex, Soltamox). Be sure to ask your insurance company whether anastrozole requires prior authorization.

This medicine is used only in women who have already stopped menstruating (postmenopausal). It’s used to stimulate (activate) ovulation in females who are trying to become pregnant. Off-label means prescribing a drug for a purpose other than what it’s been approved for. If you have questions about the cost of Arimidex compared with similar medications, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They can share more details on treatment costs based on your specific situation.