Anyone take Anastrozole every other day?

@jwmusic65 I’ve been on this drug for 6 months & already see a need for alternate day dosage. When the oncologist says “no”, I’m going to ask “why not”!!! Sometimes a more thorough response from an oncologist is “helpful “!

@jwmusic65
Please keep us posted on what your onco says as many of us are in the same boat!

@jwmusic65
Also, switch oncologists, they don't live in your body, you do!! Also, don't switch fast, some people that have been on different drugs and switched to fast have a alot more side effects, that I have read on here. Again, change oncologists he or she is not listening to you.

@angele2times I have asked this exact question of my current breast oncologist regarding all 3 AIs (Anastrozole & Letrozole) - and now I am on my # 3, exemestane.
All changed due to terrible headaches and Anastrozole caused labile hypertension despite being on 3 different medications for my blood pressure.
Her response? "You can, but the medication will not be as effective."
So, what do you do with this? Another rock and a hard place.
In the process of changing breast medicine oncologist. Will be going to the # 2 center in the US for cancer care...I will ask this question there.
It will be interesting to see "what" is told to me at this facility.
Also, the wash out period when switching AIs is 3 weeks before re-starting another one.
I have been told this repeatedly. And have done so, with no problems.
All the best to you...wonder if we will get a definitive answer on the simple question?

@briarrose I was actually told by my oncologist to start that way. But I didn't start that way. I jumped right in and took it everyday. I guess I'm lucky as I have not had any issues yet but just started 3 weeks ago. My pharmacist said it was the one that caused the least problems and was well tolerated by people. AI said the same thing. I would think taking it every other day would overall be effective enough but you might have to take it longer. Good luck.

Hope you do too!! Let me know, ok?

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Wondering why lower dose isn’t studied more. I am taking Anastrazole daily & it is giving me severe anxiety as well as bone loss. I would like to take it on alternate days to see if side effects lessen. My oncologist objects to that. Hmmmmm…. Quality of life (especially in an 80 year old woman) seems to be lost in their calculations!

@jwmusic65
A lower dose might be better I have heard that some people are taking it every other day?? Check that out here or with your private physician or breast navigator. They have good incite and want you to have a good quality of life. That's my goal. I am 74 so , quality of life is key.

My experience: I tried both Letrozole and Anastrozole, but found exemestane to give me fewest side effects. My advice: don't lower recommended dose (e.g. alternate day dosing) until you've tried all options--including Tamoxifen if that's OK in your particular case.
Research shows that alternative day dosing does reduce estrogen, but the studies do not show that cancer recurrence is reduced also. That doesn't mean it isn't, but there no scientific evidence that it does, because that wasn't studied.
PS to jwmusic65: plan on living another 20 years at least. If 5 years of reduced quality of life on AIs is the "price" of living until 90 or 95, do you want to "pay" it?
I don't have an answer but I did find an AI that I could tolerate. I hope you do too!

I don't know how this post works-difficult. I hope this goes thru. I was on letrozole, anastozole & exemestane. All made me sick. They said my last test no malignancy. Dr. had me on exemestane 2x wk, wanted 3x. I outright quit. Didn't ask, told him. I'm 82, was totally wiped out, made my arthritis a lot worse it IS a poison. I'm getting all my follow up tests.