Breast cancer is the most common of many types of cancerous tumors in the female half of humanity. As a rule, this disease is found in every ninth woman under the age of forty-five years and in every thirteen - from the age of fifty-five.
The treatment is complicated by the fact that the cancer spreads through the body through the lymphatic system through the formation of metastases. If this disease is detected in the early stages, a positive treatment with remission is possible.
But it also happens that after undergoing several courses of chemotherapy, prolonged use of concomitant drugs, it turns out that the treatment is incorrectly selected. Each type of cancer has its own treatment protocols depending on the age and course of the disease.
To determine the method of treatment, tests are carried out, the main of which is cytology. Only after this 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, eyesight, 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 substance
Several decades ago, the patient, having received an appointment, went to the pharmacy and purchased or ordered from the analyst the drug he needed. Without questions and regrets, he took up the treatment. Nowadays, the patient wants to know: what will he drink? What additional health problems may occur?
In order to exclude all objections, it is necessary to study the manufacturer's instructions for Arimidex. The active substance of the drug is anastrozole. This is an antitumor agent of chemical origin that blocks the production of aromatase enzyme.
Aromatase is a substance that takes part in the transition of male sex hormones (androgens) to female (estrogens). An increased amount of estrogen promotes the growth of estrogen-dependent tumors.
To suppress estrogen emissions and use anastrozole in a therapeutic dose of 1 mg per day. Taking the drug constantly, patients in the first day reduce the amount of hormones in the blood by 70%, and subsequently by 84%.
Application
If the patient trusts his attending physician, he will unconditionally follow all instructions and appointments. Even if they are not always correct. Chemotherapy for most people is the exposure to pathogenic cells with radioactive elements. But ingestion of drugs that inhibit their growth in tablet form is also chemotherapy.
The instructions of the Arimidex tablets clearly indicate that they can only be used to treat conventional (common) 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 underwent a course in the initial stage of cancer, according to the instructions, Arimidex receives only positive reviews.
Dosage
For easier transfer of side effects of this specific drug, you should carefully study the method of its administration. Anastrazole in a small dosage of 1 mg is not able to cause severe allergic reactions, as well as impair the functioning of other organs and systems.
To make the medicine easier to digest, take the pill with a large amount 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 for the detection of cancer cells, as a rule, are drunk from two to five years. The attending physician should schedule a schedule of tests that will help monitor the general condition of the patient and cancer.
Features
Laboratory studies conducted over two years have shown that anastrozole, which is part of Arimidex, can be used only in postmenopausal women. This is due to the fact that prolonged use can provoke infertility.
In the animals used during the experiments, preimplantation loss of the egg and reduction in the number of successful pregnancies were observed. Offspring were born with various deviations.
To avoid various questions about side effects, all the results were included in the instructions of "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
The instructions for use of "Armidex" indicate all possible abnormalities observed in female volunteers while taking the drug. The study involved about fifty thousand people, most of whom were successfully treated.
- Disturbances of the nervous system in the form of anxiety, depression, drowsiness or insomnia, sudden mood swings, general weakness were observed.
- Cardiovascular system: increased blood pressure, dizziness, severe headaches, thromboembolism, thrombophlebitis, leukopenia, tissue swelling of the heart type.
- Respiratory system: breath holding, inflammatory diseases of the lungs, throat and nose (bronchitis, tracheobronchitis, laryngitis, rhinosinusitis, pharyngitis).
- Gastrointestinal tract: nausea, vomiting, disruption of the intestines (constipation-diarrhea), dry mouth, against the background of problems with the intestines, anorexia or bulimia is possible with excess weight gain.
- Gynecology: dryness and itching of the mucous membranes, impaired reproductive function, uterine bleeding caused by a change in the drug.
- Musculoskeletal system: bone thinning is possible due to prolonged use, snapping finger syndrome.
Analogs
In pharmacy chains, it is so simple not to find such a specific drug. For those who have carefully studied the instructions for use of Arimidex, analogues that are inferior to it in price are much easier to find. Although talking about a significantly low price is not necessary, because antagonists of hormones, and even a good manufacturer, are always quite expensive.
Complete analogs for the active substance should contain anastrozole in a dosage of 1 mg. On the expanses of the former CIS there are several such, but they are produced in different countries, most often it is the Baltic states. Although there are drugs made in India, Russia, Ukraine.
Axastrol
The drug is produced by the pharmaceutical factory "Grindeks", Latvia. In the package there are twenty-eight film-coated tablets, each containing 1 mg of anastrozole.
The evidence indicates that they can treat advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
Of the contraindications - pregnancy and lactation, as well as individual sensitivity to anastrozole.
The price of this drug on average for Russia is 5-8 thousand rubles, and for Ukraine - from 1500 to 1800 thousand UAH.
Anaster
The drug contains anastrozole 1 mg, but is produced in Argentina. There are two types of packaging: the first is two blisters of fourteen tablets each; the second - three blisters of ten tablets each.
The pharmacological group is defined as a hormone antagonist, an enzyme inhibitor.
In addition to the treatment of an estrogen-positive type of cancer in postmenopausal women, the indications indicate the possibility of using it in patients with an estrogen-negative type, but who had previously had positive experience with Tamoxifen.
"Anastrozole Sandoz"
It is made in Germany by the pharmaceutical company Sandoz. In the package are two blisters for twenty-eight tablets. Dosage, method of administration completely coincide with the instructions for use of Arimidex.
In contraindications, pregnant, lactating and children are indicated.
The cost of this drug is significantly lower than the original. It is also well tolerated, but more affordable for purchase.
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 tolerance. For individuals who are sensitive to anastrozole, as well as those who are at pause, who use Tamoxifen or estrogen preparations, Arimidex cannot be used.
With caution or selectively, it can be used by people suffering from osteoporosis, decreased lipid balance, coronary heart disease.
For women suffering from osteoporosis, a tendency to soften and brittle bones, the manufacturer’s instructions for Arimidex clearly indicate that use is possible, but with great precautions. It is necessary to take tests to check bone density, and an additional intake of calcium preparations with vitamin D is 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 hormonal drugs of various kinds. 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 the best physical shape.
If you recall, according to the instructions for use "Arimidex", its analogues are used to suppress the female hormones involved in the formation of primary sexual characteristics. During steroid therapy, athletes are faced with swelling of the mammary glands, pain, redness.
In addition to specialized products, athletes often use analogues of "Arimidex", following the instructions, observing all dosages and duration of use.
To avoid all the "charms" of the chosen therapy, athletes begin taking anastrazole on the tenth day from the start of the course with fast-releasing 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 to compensate for this in various ways.
The opinions of doctors and patients who have encountered the drug "Arimidex" are rather mixed. A greater number of patients received the appointment of Arimidex after therapy with another estrogen antagonist, Tamoxifen.
First of all, the high cost of the drug was noted. Making an appointment, many experts suggest studying the instructions for the use of Arimidex, analogues and reviews of people who have already used it. Why is the question so posed?
The drug is imported, for cancer patients it is not given out for free. 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 made a choice in favor of the active substance anastrozole are only positive. It is much easier to tolerate than Tamoxifen. Less toxic to the body, and most importantly, does not give such side effects.
In the first months of admission, depending on individual tolerance, Arimidex may cause nausea, vomiting, and general weakness. Those who were undergoing chemotherapy at this time could not say with accuracy what exactly this condition gave.
In general, taking tablets is relatively normal. Patients who tried to save money and bought a domestic drug with the same active substance were not satisfied. He was tolerated much worse, and most importantly, the first sign was severe pain in the joints.
The drug of choice?
There is a big problem with getting free treatment for women who are diagnosed with breast cancer. Of the free drugs, patients of oncology dispensaries can rely only on Tamoxifen, but of a domestic manufacturer.
This drug is difficult to tolerate, although the results are good. Thanks to the reviews, instructions for the use of "Arimidex", its analogues, you can decide which of the drugs should be taken.
Doctors say that the best time to receive Arimidex therapy is a period of three or even four years after starting treatment with Tamoxifen. Very rarely, it can be seen as a drug for initial therapy.
Anastrozole is prescribed to women according to vital signs, when the patient cannot tolerate other, more aggressive antagonists of enzymes. But for them, the question of the availability of the drug remains open. Packaging a medicine costs more than a senior citizen gets. And twenty-eight tablets per pack, instead of thirty per year, add up to an additional waste.
To decide to take the drug, it is necessary to study the description of "Arimidex" in the instructions and reviews of patients who have already completed the course. Perhaps they can help with the decision: accept or not. Although talking about the drugs used in breast cancer, as the drugs of choice is wrong.
Each of the women, having heard a terrible diagnosis, fights for her life and health to the last, using all possible methods.