Compare Arimidex vs. Femara
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats breast cancer in postmenopausal women
Arimidex (anastrozole) is one of the first-line treatments for breast cancer that helps improve survival rates, but it is used only in post-menopausal women.
No information currently available
Upsides
- Available as a pill unlike some chemotherapies.
- Can be used safely and effectively even in those with kidney or liver problems.
- Available as a generic version
- Can be used as first line or second line hormone therapy for certain advanced breast cancers.
No information currently available
Downsides
- Arimidex (anastrozole) can cause serious allergic reactions, such as rash, hives, tightness in the chest or throat, and trouble breathing.
- You will have to get your blood drawn regularly while on Arimidex (anastrozole).
- Unlike other chemotherapies, Arimidex (anastrozole) reduces the amount of estrogen in your body, which can lead to weaker bones and other symptoms typically only seen in postmenopausal women.
No information currently available
Used for
- Hormone receptor positive breast cancer
- Reduction of risk for breast cancer
- Breast cancer
- Adjuvant
- Postmenopausal
- Hormone receptor-positive Breast cancer
- Advanced
- Postmenopausal
- Following antiestrogen therapy Breast cancer
- Extended adjuvant
- Postmenopausal
- Following 5 years of tamoxifen therapy Breast cancer
- Locally advanced or metastatic
- Postmenopausal
- Hormone receptor-positive or unknown
- First-line
- Breast cancer
- Neoadjuvant
- Postmenopausal
- Hormone receptor-positive Delayed puberty Endometriosis - Ovulation induction Ovulation induction - Polycystic ovary syndrome
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$12.85
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$9.33
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Reviews
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Side effects
26possible side effects
- Stomach pain32%
- Dilation of blood vessels31%
- Hot flashes24%
- Fatigue19%
- Mood disorder19%
- Worsening of heart disease in those with pre-existing heart condition17%
- Joint inflammation17%
- Nausea16%
- Weakness16%
- Headache14%
- Pain14%
- Severe chest pain in those with pre-existing heart condition12%
- Vomiting11%
- Weak bones11%
- Back pain11%
- Inflammation of the throat10%
- Difficulty breathing10%
- Swelling9%
- Skin rash9%
- Joint pain9%
- Bone pain9%
- Coughing9%
- High blood pressure8%
- Depression8%
- Heart disease4%
- Severe chest pain2%
The Femara (Letrozole) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Decreased bone mineral density
- High cholesterol
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease
- History of heart problems
No information currently available