Arimidex® (anastrozole)
Alternative brand (trade) names:
What is Arimidex® ?
Arimidex contains the medicine anastrozole and is used to treat breast cancers that are stimulated by oestogens in postmenopausal women.
What is Arimidex® used for?
- Arimidex is used to treat advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
- Arimidex is also effective in the treatment of early breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Here it is used as an additional treatment to increase the effectiveness of initial therapy, such as surgery, against breast cancers that are stimulated by oestrogens.
How does Arimidex® work ?
Arimidex belongs to a group of medicines called aromatase inhibitors.
This means that it interferes with some of the actions of aromatase, an enzyme (chemical that controls other chemical reactions), which is involved in the production of oestrogens within the body.
Oestrogens are female sex hormones that are known to be able to encourage the growth of some types of breast cancer cells.
Aromatase is the main enzyme responsible for the production of oestrogens in postmenopausal women.
By preventing the production of oestrogens, Arimidex prevents the hormones from promoting the growth of breast cancers.
How is Arimidex® given ?
Arimidex is supplied as tablets.
Country specific information
To consult your local information.
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