Anabrez (Anastrozole)

This is a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor drug, which is used in the treatment of breast cancer. It is used along with other treatments such as surgery or radiation, to treat women who have attained menopause and also suffering from breast cancer.

It contains the active ingredient Anastrozole, an aromatase inhibitor that blocks estrogen biosynthesis that is essential for the cancerous cells to grow in the breast cancer. As a result, it ultimately retards the growth of breast tumor and thus helps in limiting the disease.

These tablets contain Anastrozole, which works as an inhibitor of aromatase, an enzyme that is a primary factor in the biosynthesis of the female hormone estrogen. The primary sources of estrogen production in premenopausal women are the ovaries which are involved in developing secondary sexual characteristics like the development of breast and the menstrual cycle.

When estrogen production by the ovaries is ceased in postmenopausal women, the creation of estrogen in peripheral tissues also gets lower. Fat cells throughout the body and even some breast cancer cells are the most active form of circulating estrogen. By conversion of Androstenedione, which is produced by the adrenal glands, to estrone, as result of the action of aromatase and then converting to oestradiol.

Most of the breast cancers have estrogen receptors, and estrogen stimulates their growth. Therefore, low levels of estrogen may be insufficient to maintain the growth of breast cancer cells for the women having breast cancer. Anastrozole in this pill 1mg blocks the action of aromatase resulting in the formation of estrogen and helping to prevent the growth of estrogen-dependent breast tumors.

Reducing circulating oestradiol levels has been shown to produce a beneficial effect in women with breast cancer. In postmenopausal women, Anastrozole at a daily dose of 1 mg produced oestradiol suppression of greater than 80% which effectively resulted in the growth of the cancer cells.

Although Anastrozole does not possess any progestogenic, androgenic or oestrogenic activity, it can bar in the circulating levels of progesterone, androgens, and estrogens.

Daily doses of this up to 10 mg do not have any effect on cortisol or aldosterone secretion, measured before or after standard adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge testing. Therefore, the supplements for Corticoid are not needed.

The dose of Anabrez pills is one 1 mg drug taken once a day. The patients, who are with advanced breast cancer, should continue pill until tumor progression. This medicine can be made with or without food, and that should be at a particular time of a day regularly. The optimal duration of therapy is not known for adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer for the postmenopausal women; it was administered for five years in the ATAC (the Anastrozole, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination study) trial.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of the medicine take it as soon as you are aware of the fact. However, if you find that you are too late to make the previous do as you are already too close to the next one, then you should skip the missed dose to avoid having a double dose.

OverDose

You must always be cautious about not having an overdose of this generic anastrozole tablet. If you have missed a dose, you should not consume the same treatment if you are close to the next dose. Moreover, if you are being treated for the early stage of breast cancer, your medication should be continued up to 5 years and must not be continued further except the advice of your doctor.

As per the expert review, there are some side effects which are as follows

Minor side effect

The most common side effects as reported for taking this drug include

• joint pain or stiffness
• skin rash
• hot flushes
• a gastrointestinal disorder Cough
• Loss of appetite
• Weight gain
• Sore throat
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Hair loss
• sleepiness
• Change in mood
• vomiting
• diarrhea

Major side effect

The Most common major side effects are as follows

• Blurred vision
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Shortness of breath
• Vaginal bleeding
• asthenia
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• anorexia

General Instructions

Anabrez 1mg pill is unsafe to use during pregnancy. There is evidence of fatal results of using the drug during pregnancy. If there is the danger of passing life due to the disease, it should be tried for saving a living, and your doctor will take the final decision.

General Warning

You should also be cautious while you are premenopausal, pregnant or breastfeeding. If one has kidney or liver disease or taking medicines that interact with Anabrez including estrogen-containing medication, tamoxifen, another breast cancer drug, it must be re-advised by the doctor. This medicine should be used with caution in patients with osteoporosis due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient’s condition.

When Not to Use?

You should not use it if you are allergic to anastrozole or any ingredients in this medication.

Warnings for special population

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women due to the increased risk of fetal harm. This medicine is not approved for use in breastfeeding women.

The substitute is available on the market can be traced as mentioned below.

• Altraz
• Anabrez
• Antreol
• Generic Arimidex
• Stazione Tablet-Abbott Healthcare Pvt. Ltd
• Trazocad Tablet -Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd
• Aromita Tablet -Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd
• Anaday pill -Zuventus Healthcare Ltd

Is it safe while breastfeeding?

One must consult the doctor before consuming pill while breastfeeding her baby. There is always a chance that the drug can impact your baby through breastfeeding.

Is Anabrez Tablet safe to consume or apply when pregnant?

Usually, it is not recommended to consume this medicine while one is pregnant. However, it will depend upon your doctor to decide if you require it in an emergency