Arimidex Uses

Arimidex uses are primarily concerned with the treatment of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The drug works by inhibiting the action of aromatase enzymes, which causes the body to produce less estrogen. Many breast cancers are sensitive to estrogen -- by causing the body to produce less, it can keep the cancer from growing. Arimidex uses also extend to off-label reasons, such as inducing ovulation in women as part of infertility treatment.

What Is Arimidex Used For?

Arimidex® (anastrozole) is a prescription medication used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Specific Arimidex uses include treating postmenopausal women with:
 
  • Early breast cancer that is hormone receptor-positive. It is used after breast cancer surgery with or without radiation. This is known as adjuvant therapy, or treatment that is used to help prevent the cancer from returning (see Adjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer).
     
  • Advanced or metastatic breast cancer that is either hormone receptor-positive or the hormone receptor status is not known.
     
  • Advanced breast cancer that has not responded to tamoxifen (Nolvadex®, Soltamox®).
     

Understanding Breast Cancer

Women in the United States get breast cancer more than any other type of cancer, except for skin cancer. Each year, more than 211,000 American women learn that they have breast cancer. Most breast cancer causes are not known. In 5 to 10 percent of these cases, there is a hereditary component. Common breast cancer symptoms include:
 
  • A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area
  • A change in how the breast or nipple feels
  • Nipple tenderness
  • A change in how the breast or nipple looks
  • A change in the size or shape of the breast
  • A nipple turned inward into the breast
  • Nipple discharge (fluid).
     
In general, breast cancer treatment options can include:
 
The best treatments can vary by the stages of breast cancer (see Breast Cancer Treatment by Stage).
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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