Anastrozol Medical Valley
Anastrozole 1 mg film-coated tablets – Aromatase inhibitor for breast cancer treatment
Quick Facts: Anastrozol Medical Valley
Key Takeaways About Anastrozol Medical Valley
- Aromatase inhibitor for breast cancer: Anastrozol Medical Valley blocks estrogen production and is used to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women
- Once-daily dosing: Take one 1 mg tablet at the same time each day, with or without food, swallowed whole with water
- Do not use with tamoxifen or estrogen: These medications reduce the effectiveness of anastrozole and should not be taken together
- Monitor bone health: Anastrozole reduces estrogen levels which can weaken bones; your doctor should assess bone density regularly
- Long-term treatment: Adjuvant therapy is typically continued for 5 years; do not stop treatment without consulting your doctor
What Is Anastrozol Medical Valley and What Is It Used For?
Anastrozol Medical Valley is a prescription medicine containing anastrozole 1 mg, classified as an aromatase inhibitor. It is used to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in women who have gone through menopause, working by reducing the amount of estrogen produced in the body.
Anastrozol Medical Valley belongs to a group of medicines known as aromatase inhibitors. These drugs target the enzyme aromatase, which is responsible for converting androgens (male hormones produced in small amounts in women) into estrogens in peripheral tissues such as fat, muscle, and skin. In postmenopausal women, this peripheral conversion is the primary source of estrogen, since the ovaries are no longer active. By inhibiting aromatase, anastrozole reduces circulating estrogen levels by approximately 80–90%, effectively starving hormone-sensitive breast cancer cells of the estrogen they need to grow.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, with approximately 2.3 million new cases diagnosed annually according to the World Health Organization. About 70–80% of breast cancers are hormone receptor-positive (HR+), meaning they have receptors for estrogen and/or progesterone on their cell surfaces. These cancers rely on hormones to fuel their growth, making endocrine therapy a cornerstone of treatment. Anastrozole is one of the most widely prescribed endocrine therapies for this purpose.
Clinically, Anastrozol Medical Valley is used in several therapeutic settings. As adjuvant therapy, it is taken after primary treatment (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy) to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. The landmark ATAC trial (Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination) demonstrated that anastrozole was superior to tamoxifen in reducing the risk of recurrence in postmenopausal women with early-stage HR+ breast cancer, with benefits persisting for at least 10 years after treatment initiation. It is also used as first-line treatment for advanced or metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
Additionally, anastrozole may be used as neoadjuvant therapy (before surgery) to shrink large tumours, particularly in older patients or those who are not candidates for chemotherapy. The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) both recommend aromatase inhibitors, including anastrozole, as a preferred endocrine therapy option for postmenopausal women with HR+ breast cancer.
Anastrozole is marketed under several brand names worldwide, including Anastrozole Bluefish, Anastrozole TEVA, Anastrozole Accord, and Anastrozol Sandoz. All contain the same active ingredient (anastrozole 1 mg) and work in the same way. Your doctor or pharmacist can advise you on whether different brands are interchangeable.
What Should You Know Before Taking Anastrozol Medical Valley?
Before starting Anastrozol Medical Valley, discuss your complete medical history with your doctor. Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or allergic to anastrozole. Special caution is needed if you have osteoporosis, liver or kidney problems, or are still menstruating.
Contraindications
Anastrozol Medical Valley must not be used in the following situations:
- Allergy to anastrozole or excipients: If you have a known hypersensitivity to anastrozole or any of the inactive ingredients in the tablet (including lactose monohydrate, sodium starch glycolate, povidone, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, or macrogol 400), you should not take this medicine.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Anastrozole is strictly contraindicated during pregnancy as it may cause harm to the developing foetus. It must not be used by women who are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant during treatment, stop taking the medicine immediately and contact your doctor.
- Premenopausal women: Anastrozole is only intended for postmenopausal women. In premenopausal women, the ovaries continue to produce estrogen, and anastrozole alone cannot adequately suppress this ovarian estrogen production.
Warnings and Precautions
Discuss the following conditions with your doctor before taking Anastrozol Medical Valley:
- Osteoporosis or bone health concerns: Anastrozole lowers estrogen levels, which is known to reduce bone mineral density. If you have a history of osteoporosis or are at increased risk of fractures, your doctor may order a bone density scan (DEXA scan) before starting treatment and periodically thereafter. Calcium and vitamin D supplements or bisphosphonate therapy may be recommended to protect your bones.
- Liver or kidney problems: If you have impaired liver or kidney function, inform your doctor. While anastrozole is generally well-tolerated in patients with mild-to-moderate hepatic or renal impairment, your doctor may want to monitor you more closely.
- Menopausal status: If you are still menstruating or have not yet reached menopause, tell your doctor. Anastrozole is not effective in premenopausal women unless combined with ovarian suppression therapy.
- Concurrent tamoxifen or estrogen therapy: Do not take anastrozole with tamoxifen or estrogen-containing products, as these may reduce the effectiveness of anastrozole (see Drug Interactions section).
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Anastrozol Medical Valley is absolutely contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Anastrozole can cause serious harm to the unborn child by reducing estrogen levels critical for foetal development. If there is any possibility you could be pregnant, your doctor should confirm your menopausal status before initiating treatment. If you discover you are pregnant while taking anastrozole, stop the medication immediately and seek medical advice.
It is not known whether anastrozole passes into breast milk. Given the potential for serious adverse effects on the nursing infant, breastfeeding is contraindicated during treatment with anastrozole.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Anastrozol Medical Valley is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. However, some patients may occasionally experience weakness, drowsiness, or dizziness. If you are affected, do not drive or operate heavy machinery until these symptoms resolve. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you experience such effects.
Lactose: Anastrozol Medical Valley contains lactose monohydrate. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
Sodium: This medicine contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) sodium per tablet, meaning it is essentially sodium-free.
How Does Anastrozol Medical Valley Interact with Other Drugs?
Anastrozol Medical Valley should not be taken with tamoxifen, estrogen-containing products, or certain LHRH analogues without medical supervision. Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medicines and herbal products.
Drug interactions can significantly affect the efficacy and safety of anastrozole. It is essential to tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are currently taking, have recently taken, or might take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and herbal supplements.
Major Interactions
The following medications should not be taken together with Anastrozol Medical Valley:
| Interacting Drug | Category | Effect | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamoxifen | SERM (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator) | Reduces the plasma concentration of anastrozole by approximately 27%, diminishing its effectiveness | Do not use together. The ATAC trial showed no benefit from combination versus tamoxifen alone. |
| Estrogen-containing products | HRT / Oral contraceptives | Directly counteracts the mechanism of anastrozole by providing exogenous estrogen | Contraindicated. Stop all estrogen-containing therapy before starting anastrozole. |
Other Interactions to Discuss with Your Doctor
While the following interactions are not necessarily contraindicated, they require careful monitoring or dose adjustment:
| Interacting Drug | Category | Clinical Significance |
|---|---|---|
| LHRH analogues (gonadorelin, buserelin, goserelin, leuprorelin, triptorelin) | Hormonal therapy | Used for ovarian suppression in breast cancer and gynaecological conditions. Discuss with your oncologist if you are using both. |
| Warfarin and other anticoagulants | Blood thinners | Although no clinically significant interaction has been confirmed, monitoring of INR is recommended when co-administered. |
| CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 substrates | Various medications | Anastrozole inhibits CYP1A2, CYP2C8/9, and CYP3A4 in vitro, but clinical studies have shown no significant interactions at the 1 mg dose. |
Anastrozole is extensively metabolised in the liver. However, in vitro studies have shown that at clinically relevant concentrations, anastrozole does not significantly inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2D6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4). As a result, clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interactions with other drugs metabolised by these enzymes are considered unlikely. Nevertheless, always consult with your doctor before starting or stopping any medication while taking anastrozole.
What Is the Correct Dosage of Anastrozol Medical Valley?
The recommended dose is one 1 mg tablet taken once daily by mouth. Swallow the tablet whole with water at the same time each day. Anastrozole can be taken with or without food. Treatment is long-term and should be continued as directed by your doctor.
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Do not change your dose or stop treatment without consulting your healthcare provider. Anastrozole is a long-term therapy, and consistent daily dosing is essential for optimal efficacy.
Adults (Postmenopausal Women)
Standard Dosage
Dose: 1 mg (one tablet) once daily
Route: Oral – swallow the tablet whole with water
Timing: Take at the same time each day, with or without food
Duration – Adjuvant therapy (early breast cancer): Typically 5 years. Some patients may benefit from extended adjuvant therapy up to 10 years, based on individual risk assessment.
Duration – Advanced/metastatic breast cancer: Treatment is continued for as long as the disease is responsive, or until progression or unacceptable toxicity.
The ATAC trial demonstrated that 5 years of adjuvant anastrozole therapy significantly reduced the risk of breast cancer recurrence compared to tamoxifen in postmenopausal women with early HR+ breast cancer. Long-term follow-up data showed persistent benefits in disease-free survival at the 10-year mark. The MA.17R trial further demonstrated that extending aromatase inhibitor therapy to 10 years provided additional reduction in breast cancer recurrence, although the absolute benefit must be weighed against the risks of prolonged estrogen deprivation, particularly regarding bone health.
Children and Adolescents
Paediatric Use
Anastrozol Medical Valley is not indicated for use in children and adolescents. This medicine should only be used by postmenopausal women as directed by a physician.
Elderly Patients
Elderly Dosage
No dose adjustment is required for elderly patients. The standard dose of 1 mg once daily applies regardless of age. Clinical trials have included a large proportion of women over 65 years of age, with no difference in efficacy or safety profile compared to younger postmenopausal women.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take a dose of Anastrozol Medical Valley, simply take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed one. Given anastrozole's long half-life of approximately 40–50 hours, missing a single dose is unlikely to significantly affect overall estrogen suppression. However, try to maintain consistent daily dosing for optimal treatment outcomes.
Overdose
If you take more anastrozole than prescribed, or if a child accidentally ingests this medicine, contact your doctor, emergency department, or poison control centre immediately for an assessment of risk and further advice. There is limited clinical experience with overdose. In clinical trials, single doses up to 60 mg and daily doses of 10 mg were evaluated without dose-limiting toxicity. No specific antidote exists for anastrozole overdose; treatment should be symptomatic and supportive.
Do not stop taking your tablets unless your doctor tells you to. Discontinuing anastrozole prematurely may increase the risk of cancer recurrence. If you are experiencing troublesome side effects, speak with your oncologist about management strategies rather than stopping the medication on your own.
What Are the Side Effects of Anastrozol Medical Valley?
Like all medicines, anastrozole can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them. The most common side effects include hot flashes, joint pain and stiffness, nausea, skin rash, headache, weakness, and bone loss. Rare but serious side effects include Stevens-Johnson syndrome and angioedema.
The side effects of anastrozole are largely related to its primary pharmacological action – the reduction of estrogen levels. Estrogen plays many roles in the body beyond breast cancer cell growth, including maintaining bone density, cardiovascular health, and thermoregulation. When estrogen is significantly reduced, many of these functions can be affected.
A severe skin reaction with sores or blisters (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), or swelling of the throat causing difficulty swallowing or breathing (angioedema). These are very rare but potentially life-threatening allergic reactions.
Very Common Side Effects
- Hot flashes (vasomotor symptoms)
- Joint pain and stiffness (arthralgia)
- Joint inflammation (arthritis)
- Nausea
- Skin rash
- Headache
- Feeling weak or fatigued (asthenia)
- Bone loss (osteoporosis)
- Depression
Common Side Effects
- Loss of appetite (anorexia)
- Elevated cholesterol levels (hypercholesterolaemia)
- Drowsiness or sleepiness
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (tingling, pain, weakness in the hand)
- Tingling or numbness in the skin (paraesthesia), altered taste
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Changes in liver function tests
- Hair thinning (alopecia)
- Allergic reactions (hypersensitivity) including face, lips, or tongue
- Bone pain
- Vaginal dryness
- Vaginal bleeding (usually in the first weeks of treatment)
- Muscle pain (myalgia)
Uncommon Side Effects
- Changes in liver blood tests (gamma-GT and bilirubin)
- Liver inflammation (hepatitis)
- Hives (urticaria)
- Trigger finger (a condition where a finger gets stuck in a bent position)
- Increased calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcaemia)
Rare Side Effects
- Skin inflammation with red patches or blisters (erythema multiforme)
- Allergic skin rash (anaphylactoid reaction)
- Inflammation of small blood vessels causing red or purple skin discolouration (cutaneous vasculitis), including Henoch-Schönlein purpura
Effects on Bone Health
Anastrozole reduces estrogen levels, which is known to decrease bone mineral density over time. This means your bones may become weaker and more susceptible to fractures during treatment. This is a clinically significant concern, as the ATAC trial reported a higher incidence of fractures in the anastrozole group compared to tamoxifen (11% vs 7.7% at a median follow-up of 68 months).
Your doctor will manage these risks according to established treatment guidelines for bone health in postmenopausal women receiving aromatase inhibitor therapy. This may include baseline and periodic bone density assessments (DEXA scans), calcium and vitamin D supplementation, weight-bearing exercise, lifestyle modifications (avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol), and in some cases, bisphosphonate therapy (e.g., zoledronic acid or denosumab) if significant bone loss is detected. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommends bone density monitoring at baseline and every 1–2 years during aromatase inhibitor therapy.
Managing Common Side Effects
Many side effects of anastrozole can be effectively managed without discontinuing treatment:
- Joint pain and stiffness: Regular exercise, particularly stretching and low-impact activities such as swimming and yoga, can significantly improve musculoskeletal symptoms. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter analgesics or physiotherapy.
- Hot flashes: Wearing layered clothing, keeping rooms cool, and avoiding triggers such as caffeine and alcohol can help. In severe cases, medications like venlafaxine or gabapentin may be prescribed.
- Vaginal dryness: Non-hormonal vaginal moisturisers and lubricants are recommended. Discuss options with your doctor, as certain low-dose local estrogen preparations may be considered in exceptional circumstances under specialist supervision.
- Mood changes: Depression and mood alterations should be discussed with your healthcare team. Counselling, support groups, and if necessary, antidepressant medication can be helpful.
If any side effects become severe, or if you notice effects not listed here, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
How Should You Store Anastrozol Medical Valley?
Store Anastrozol Medical Valley in its original packaging, out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date printed on the carton and blister pack. No special temperature storage conditions are required.
Proper storage of medications is essential for maintaining their safety and efficacy. Follow these guidelines for storing Anastrozol Medical Valley:
- Keep out of reach of children: Store your tablets in a secure place where children cannot access them. This medicine can be harmful if taken by children.
- Store in original packaging: Keep the tablets in their original carton and blister pack to protect them from moisture and light.
- Check expiry date: Do not use this medicine after the expiry date (EXP) shown on the carton and blister pack. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
- Disposal: Do not dispose of medicines via wastewater or household waste. Return unused or expired medicines to your pharmacy for proper disposal. This helps protect the environment.
What Does Anastrozol Medical Valley Contain?
Each film-coated tablet contains 1 mg of anastrozole as the active substance, along with inactive ingredients including lactose monohydrate, sodium starch glycolate, povidone, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, and macrogol 400.
Active Ingredient
Each film-coated tablet contains 1 mg anastrozole. Anastrozole is a potent, highly selective non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor with a molecular formula of C17H19N5 and a molecular weight of approximately 293.4 g/mol.
Inactive Ingredients (Excipients)
The tablet core contains lactose monohydrate, sodium starch glycolate, povidone, and magnesium stearate. The film coating contains hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), and macrogol 400.
Appearance and Pack Sizes
Anastrozol Medical Valley 1 mg tablets are white, round, biconvex, film-coated tablets embossed with “1” on one side and “H” on the other. They are available in PVC/aluminium foil blister packs in cartons of 10, 20, 28, 30, 60, 84, 98, 100, and 300 tablets. Not all pack sizes may be marketed in all countries.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anastrozol Medical Valley
Anastrozole is a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor. It works by blocking the enzyme aromatase, which converts androgens into estrogens in peripheral tissues. In postmenopausal women, this is the primary source of estrogen. By reducing estrogen levels by approximately 80–90%, anastrozole deprives hormone receptor-positive breast cancer cells of the estrogen they need to grow and divide. This slows or stops tumour growth and reduces the risk of cancer recurrence.
Anastrozole begins reducing estrogen levels within 24 hours of the first dose, with maximum estrogen suppression (approximately 80–90% reduction) achieved within about 14 days of daily dosing. However, the clinical benefit in terms of cancer treatment is assessed over months to years. Steady-state plasma concentrations of the drug itself are reached within approximately 7 days of daily dosing.
There is no specific contraindication against moderate alcohol consumption while taking anastrozole. However, excessive alcohol intake can increase the risk of certain side effects such as hot flashes and may also negatively impact bone health and liver function. Additionally, alcohol consumption has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer recurrence. Discuss your alcohol consumption with your oncologist to determine what is appropriate for your individual situation.
Joint pain (arthralgia) is one of the most common side effects of anastrozole, affecting more than 1 in 10 patients. Do not stop taking the medication without consulting your doctor. Effective strategies include regular low-impact exercise (swimming, walking, yoga), over-the-counter pain relievers (paracetamol/acetaminophen or NSAIDs), physiotherapy, and acupuncture. Some clinical studies have shown that exercise programmes can reduce aromatase inhibitor-related joint symptoms by up to 30%. If symptoms are severe and persist despite these measures, your oncologist may consider switching to a different aromatase inhibitor (letrozole or exemestane) or to tamoxifen.
No, anastrozole and tamoxifen are different types of endocrine therapy. Anastrozole is an aromatase inhibitor that reduces estrogen production, while tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that blocks estrogen from binding to cancer cell receptors. Anastrozole is only effective in postmenopausal women, whereas tamoxifen can be used in both pre- and postmenopausal women. The ATAC trial showed that anastrozole was superior to tamoxifen for adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal HR+ breast cancer, with fewer recurrences and a better side effect profile in terms of thromboembolic events and endometrial cancer risk.
Weight changes are not among the most commonly reported side effects of anastrozole. However, some women may experience weight gain during treatment, which can be related to hormonal changes, reduced physical activity due to joint symptoms, or other factors. Studies suggest that weight gain is not more common with anastrozole compared to tamoxifen. Maintaining a healthy diet and regular physical activity can help manage weight during treatment. Discuss any significant weight changes with your healthcare team.
References
This article is based on the following peer-reviewed sources and authoritative guidelines:
- European Medicines Agency (EMA). Anastrozole – Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: www.ema.europa.eu
- Cuzick J, Sestak I, Baum M, et al. Effect of anastrozole and tamoxifen as adjuvant treatment for early-stage breast cancer: 10-year analysis of the ATAC trial. The Lancet Oncology. 2010;11(12):1135–1141. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(10)70257-6
- Goss PE, Ingle JN, Pritchard KI, et al. Extending Aromatase-Inhibitor Adjuvant Therapy to 10 Years (MA.17R). New England Journal of Medicine. 2016;375(3):209–219. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1604700
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Breast Cancer. Version 4.2024. Available at: www.nccn.org
- Cardoso F, Kyriakides S, Ohno S, et al. Early breast cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Annals of Oncology. 2019;30(8):1194–1220. doi:10.1093/annonc/mdz173
- World Health Organization (WHO). WHO Model List of Essential Medicines – 23rd List, 2023. Available at: www.who.int
- Hadji P, Aapro MS, Body JJ, et al. Management of Aromatase Inhibitor-Associated Bone Loss (AIBL) in postmenopausal women with hormone sensitive breast cancer: joint position statement of the IOF, CABS, ECTS, IEG, ESCEO, IMS, and SIOG. Journal of Bone Oncology. 2017;7:1–12. doi:10.1016/j.jbo.2017.03.001
- British National Formulary (BNF). Anastrozole. Available at: bnf.nice.org.uk
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Anastrozole Label. Available at: www.accessdata.fda.gov
About This Article
iMedic Medical Editorial Team – Specialists in Oncology and Clinical Pharmacology
iMedic Medical Review Board – Independent panel of medical experts reviewing content according to international guidelines (NCCN, ESMO, WHO)
This article follows the GRADE evidence framework and is based on Level 1A evidence from systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials. All medical claims are supported by peer-reviewed literature and international treatment guidelines. The content is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect the latest medical evidence.