ARIMIDEX Reviews (ANASTROZOLE)

Average Rating: 2.5 (1431 Ratings)

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 ANTINEOPLASTICS AROMATASE INHIBITORS

 Type: Rx Drug

  

ARIMIDEX  (ANASTROZOLE):  Anastrozole is used to treat breast cancer in women after menopause. Some breast cancers are made to grow faster by a natural hormone called estrogen. Anastrozole decreases the amount of estrogen the body makes and helps to slow or reverse the growth of these breast cancers.   FDA Approval Date: 1995-12-27 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)

  

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Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.)
5=HIGH (this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal.)

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More on ARIMIDEX: Reviews Summary  |  Drug Safety Information

RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR ARIMIDEXCOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 2  BC lumpectomey no lymphs Foggy memory, hot flashes, itchy skin rash, dry eyes, sensitive swelling in ankles and now hip joint pain I have been on this drug for 1 year. Will see my surgeon on Wed. Am going to tell her that I am going to discontinue using Arimidex. Don't want any other drug prescribed. It's not worth the side effects. I had an MRI and mammogram this week. All is clear. Thank you God. F 67 1 days
7/11/2009
 1  Breast Cancer stage 3B My main complaint has been Carpral Tunnel Symptoms the pain is severe and is in both wrists and hands, not sleeping, hot flashes weight gain head aches, exhausted and sleepy all the time. I hate this medicine been on 3 months now, was not expecting a new health problem! I expected joint pain but have more than that. I am going to Oncologist today I am wanting off of this poison I know she thinks it is my life but I want to live not just survive! I am too tired to enjoy anything. F 59 3 months
7/9/2009
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 1  DCIS SEVERE Bone Pain! Joint pain, fatigue, increased headache, increased hot flashes, Stomach weight gain and bloating, loss of elasticity in skin, increased depression. PURE POISON! After going through DCIS, an auto accident and a brain anuerysm, I have been a trooper and tolerated all of my meds over the last 7 years. That is, until Arimidex! After I completed my Tamoxifin without side effects, I began the Arimidex nightmare. After only 2 weeks I began feeling fatigued and noticed that all my bones were sore. As weeks went on, I could barely get out of bed without crying from the pain in all my bones. I tolerated the increase in headaches, hot flashes, joint pain and skin changes, but the bone pain and fatigue increasingly worsened. My life seem to stop as I was bed ridden for 6 months. My doctor finally told me that I was experiencing the worse of the side effects and we agreed I should discontinue use. By the time I stopped taking it, I had gained 20 pounds and all in my stomach. I now resort to putting my health in God's hands and enjoying every bit of an active life with my kids! F 42 6 months
7/8/2009
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 1  Breast Cancer ER+ Fuzzy Thinking, Joint and Muscle Pain, Weight Gain, Brittle nails and hair, Felt like I was living outside of my body. I quit taking Arimidex. Quality of life outweighed quantity by a landslide. I felt so bad while taking the medicine that I did not much care if I lived another day. I have been off for 8 weeks and feel like my old self. The weight is coming off, I have ENERGY, the joint and muscle pain is gone, and my thinking is wonderful. I tried to get the oncologist to reduce the dosage but he would not do it. F 57 2 years
7/7/2009
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 3  To prevent recurrence of breast can Bone/muscle/joint pain, hair thinning, headaches, foggy brain, hot flashes, never wanting to get up in the morning--never feeling like I've had enough sleep. Since I have only been on Arimidex for a short time, I don't know if these symptoms will lessen or worsen. It is so good to have a place where we can share and compare. I did 2 years of Tamoxifen before starting the Arimidex. Will do 3 years on it. During Tamoxifen days, I had some of the same symptoms, but they did not seem as pronounced. During that time, when discussing with my oncologist, I mentioned that there is such a fine line betweeen aging and the drug side effects...he said, "Blame everything on the Tamoxifen!" He has quite a good sense of humor--love him! So, I am now blaming everything on the Arimidex, and somehow, that does make it easier to accept. I will force my self to get through this, no matter how bad it may get, but I pray the side effects will either level off, or stay about as they are now. F 60 2 months
7/3/2009
 3  Breast Cancer survivor I posted on 4/19/09 with the thinning hair (Curly to flat), joint pain, slow to get up in the morning (stiff body/hands), etc...I've been off Arimidex for 72 days. I don't have as much joint pain; I think I need to let my hair re-grow before I can tell if it will come back as it was before. I still have to lose the weight (I think I'm overeating out of anxiety because I'm not under any treatment anymore-just routine check-ups now). Although I'm happy to be off Arimidex, I did my 5 years, I am a little insecure about being "on my own" and forever to wonder if the cancer will return. My doctor did not suggest any other drug or prolonged treatment (I would have said NO). I'll post again in about 5 more months. F 47 5 years
7/2/2009
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 3  ductal carcinoma Increase cholesterol levels, weight gain, insomnia, hot flashes, osteoperosis. When I first started taking this medication my doctors said I would be on it for five years. It has now been 7 years and they want to keep me on this indefinitely. I have some serious question about whether or not the benefit is out weighting the risk. It seems the longer I take this medidcaation the more side effects I experience and their intensity increases. F 55 7 years
7/2/2009
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 3  Breast cancer-stage 2 HOT flashes, joint and muscle pain, hands are swollen and "lock up" at night, depression, elevated liver enzymes. In the 9 months I have taken this drug, some side effects have lessened and some have gotten worse. I will suggest to those experiencing side effects to consider natural supplements: Glucosamine & Chondroiton (sp?!) & MSM have helped my joints, Sam-e has helped my mood, as well as being a good liver support for those of you with elevated enzymes like I have. I have also stopped drinking any alcohol as it intensifies any side effects. I know, when are we to have fun again?! I changed my rating from 2 to 3, because I am trying very hard to make this drug an ally, not an enemy. But yes, it is a challenge. And, it is a personal choice - right now I choose to take the drug. F 57 9 months
7/1/2009
 3  breast cancer hot flashes, fatigue, fuzzy thinking, tremors, feeling of sickness if my stomach, inability to lose weight, waking up a lot at night, pain in right hip and arm, and the latest, dizziness I would like to know if anyone is experiencing dizziness while taking this drug. This is something new to me; I have been on the drug for more than 6 years. It comes and goes and lasts only a few seconds. F 55 6 years
6/29/2009
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 2  Breast cancer, Stage 1b Gradual increase in joint pain and stiffness especially in feet and hands. Seems I am retaining fluid. Can't wear my rings on fingers, have bursitis in left hip and right shouldar. Difficult to stand for long periods of time due to feeling of fullness in legs and begin to ache; dry everywhere, difficult to sleep but want to dose off easily as sit on couch in evening, less motivation and endurance, easy to loose balance, weight gain, no libido, lost my enthusiasm for life somewhere. Want to try a fluid pill and see if helps decrease puffy feeling-- stiff and painful joints. Hurts to step on my feet in the mornings and have stiff ankles. Someone said it well, the Frankenstein walk. I rated this 2 because it is too soon to know if has prevented or halted cancer growth. F 57 6 months
6/29/2009
 5  Breast Cancer, Stage 2 Joint pain, some memory issues Ladies, STAY ON YOUR Arimidex. The only thing worse than fighting breast cancer is fighting it twice. Be strong, put up with the side effects. It will get better. I would take and deal with ANYTHING to keep it from coming back. Mind over Matter F 50 4.5 years
6/26/2009
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 3  breast cancer, stage 1 lobular nausea, lack of appetite, I deal with nausea much of the day, though it changes day to day. I have no desire to eat and never am hungry. I force myself to eat something and make sure it is very healthy. I am losing weight because of it, 6 lbs in one week. I have some numbness in one foot, but exercising seem to help this. F 59 3 weeks
6/24/2009
 1  I refused it None because to me quality of life outweighed the very small percentage that this drug might or might not, give. I'm a 4 yr survivor. Stage 1 BC, no lymph nodes involved. Had a lumpectomy and 6 wks radiation. Did much research on Arimidex and discussed it with oncologist. There is no guarantee that this drug will prevent recurrance. Side effects can be very debilitating and in some instances permanent. Everyone needs to research, talk with other survivors and your oncologist. Fortunately I have an oncologist who agrees that this med is not for everyone. I have drastically changed my diet, lost about 35 lbs. and go to the gym 4 days a week. He agreed (off the chart) that by keeping my immune system strong my chances were nearly as good if I took the med. Add to that quality of life and for me it was a no brainer. This was my decision for me - each person needs to make his/her own decision. F 66 0 days
6/24/2009
 2  stage 3 breast cancer hot flushes, loss of labido, lack of sensation during sex, sore throat, depression, mood swings, afternoon fatigue, just dont feel the same as i did without this drug i am not me. i would like some honest answers from my oncologist as to the benefits of taking this drug as opposed to not taking it. i would prefer quality of life, i have a 2yr old to look afer and it makes it very hard when you feel fatigued all the time. When i stop taking the drug for 4days i feel better, recommence the drug for 7days and start to go down hill again, anyone else have similar problem, any answers welcome F 35 1 months
6/20/2009
 4  Breast Cancer F 59 3 years
6/19/2009
 2  breast cancer, stage 1, lobular I've had most every side effect people mention, the most bothersome of which were hot flashes, joint pain, 30 lb. weight gain, general foggy brain and lack of mobility. Quit arimidex after 4 years as quality of life sucked. Have been off for 12 weeks and I feel 150% better. THERE IS GOOD LIFE AFTER ARIMIDEX! Most symptoms left rather quickly tho I do feel like I'm recovering from a long illness. Continue to have hot flashes and can see that the weight will take time. Started working at the gym about 20 mos. ago - have had my trainer up the intensity/time expended since stopping arimidex as my energy has returned. The gym has/is helping 'rearrange' my body. Took me 3 years of arimidex to go from a sz. 12 to sz. 18. Am working my butt off to get that reversed. It's disgusting that a drug which is to prolong your life can screw your body/mind up so much. Hope this helps. F 66 4 years
6/19/2009
 4  Breast cancer, radiation, no nodes Too many side effects to list, felt like i had rheumatoid arthritis for 2-3 years. Hair's thin, hands go numb, I had many symptons you all have had or are having. but, I have to say, either i've learned to adjust to the discomfort, or the symptoms have lessened. My five years is up in September and am so looking forward to going off this drug, but I don't see the docs until January. At my last visit, they said they have FDA approval to continue it for seven years. An option I think I'll pass on F 63 4 years
6/18/2009
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 4  Breast Cancer Mood swings, cannot tolerate heat, sun etc, unable to sleep, joint problems,extreme fatigue, hot flashes, sweating etc. Please try to hang in there, my side effects have gotten better over time, still have some joint problems but they are much better. Biggest problem after 3 years is trying to sleep at night, I have tried taking the medication at different times but it doesn't seem to help, I still can't sleep well, the hot flashes are gone, but still can't tolerate any type of heat, my air conditioner has to be set low for me to be comfortable. All in all I tolerate the medicine very well after 3 years, still some fatigue but it is much better than when I first started taking it. 3 clear mammograms is worth some discomfort. My co-pay on the med. has risen steadily though, seems like I pay more each time I have to order it!!To those of you that have just started taking the medicine, more than likely your side effects will lessen over time, when I started the medication I absolutely hated it and quite honestly thought I just couldn't go on with it. Persevere!! the med is a whole lot better than the cancer treatments!! F 58 3 years
6/18/2009
 3  2nd X BC ER+ R2- Node - Extreme fatigue. No other side affects. I give it a 3 since I can't know whether it is "working" or not. F 45 64 days
6/18/2009
 3  Stage IIB ER+ Breast Cancer See my earlier post on 3/26/2009 I stopped taking Arimidex 3/28/2009. It is now a little over 7 weeks since stopping the med and I feel soooooooo much better! All aches and pains are gone and I have energy again! Hallelujah! F 59 18 months
6/17/2009
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