Compare Arimidex vs. Xeloda
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
- Colon cancer
- Adjuvant therapy
- Duke's Stage C
- When treatment with a fluoropyrimidine alone is preferred. Metastatic breast cancer
- In combination with docetaxel after failure of prior anthracycline-containing regimens. Metastatic breast cancer
- Monotherapy
- When resistant to paclitaxel/anthracycline-containing regimens or resistant to paclitaxel and not a candidate for further anthracycline therapy. Metastatic colorectal cancer
- First-line therapy when treatment with a fluoropyrimidine alone is preferred.
- Colon cancer
- Adjuvant therapy
- Stage III
- In combination with oxaliplatin. Colorectal cancer
- Unresectable
- Advanced
- Or metastatic; first-line in combination with oxaliplatin. Esophagogastric cancer
- Advanced or metastatic
- In combination with chemotherapeutic agents. Esophagogastric cancer
- First-line therapy for advanced or metastatic disease
- In combination with epirubicin and oxaliplatin or cisplatin. Gastric cancer
- First-line therapy for advanced or metastatic disease
- In combination with chemotherapeutic agents. Gastric cancer
- First-line therapy for advanced or metastatic disease
- In combination with epirubicin and oxaliplatin or cisplatin. Gastric cancer
- Stage II to IIIB
- Adjuvant therapy in combination with oxaliplatin. Malignant tumor of rectum
- Locally advanced
- Adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy
- In combination with radiotherapy. Metastatic breast cancer
- HER2 overexpression
- In combination with trastuzumab. Metastatic breast cancer
- In combination with bevacizumab in patients previously treated with an anthracycline and a taxane. Metastatic colorectal cancer
- Combination therapy with irinotecan. Metastatic colorectal cancer
- First-line therapy
- In combination with bevacizumab and oxaliplatin. Metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Ovarian cancer. Pancreatic cancer
- Monotherapy.
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$12.85
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$57.16
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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 Xeloda (Capecitabine) 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