Arimidex (Patient)
Medication Basics
Drug Name
Arimidex (Anastrozole)
Purpose / Indication
Arimidex is used to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It may be given after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer returning, or to treat advanced breast cancer that has spread.
Dosage & Administration
Dose Schedule
<p>The usual dose is 1 mg taken by mouth once daily. Take it at the same time each day. Your oncology team will tell you how long to continue, often 5 years or longer.</p>
Route
Oral
Timing Considerations
Take Arimidex at the same time every day to maintain a steady level in your body. Choose a time that fits your daily routine.
Food Relation
Either
Time of Day
Flexible
Special Instructions
Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. You can take it with or without food. Do not crush or split the tablet.
Mechanism of Action
Mechanism
Arimidex lowers the amount of estrogen in your body by blocking an enzyme called aromatase. Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer needs estrogen to grow, so reducing estrogen helps slow or stop cancer growth.