Mean serum concentrations of estradiol were evaluated in multiple daily dosing trials with 0.5, 1, 3, 5, and 10 mg of Anastrozole tablets in postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer. Clinically significant suppression of serum estradiol was seen with all doses. Doses of 1 mg and higher resulted in suppression of mean serum concentrations of estradiol to the lower limit of detection (3.7 pmol/L). The recommended daily dose, Anastrozole tablets 1 mg, reduced estradiol by approximately 70% within 24 hours and by approximately 80% after 14 days of daily dosing. Suppression of serum estradiol was maintained for up to 6 days after cessation of daily dosing with Anastrozole tablets 1 mg.
Mean serum concentrations of estradiol were evaluated in multiple daily dosing trials with 0.5, 1, 3, 5, and 10 mg of Anastrozole tablets in postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer. Clinically significant suppression of serum estradiol was seen with all doses. Doses of 1 mg and higher resulted in suppression of mean serum concentrations of estradiol to the lower limit of detection (3.7 pmol/L). The recommended daily dose, Anastrozole tablets 1 mg, reduced estradiol by approximately 70% within 24 hours and by approximately 80% after 14 days of daily dosing. Suppression of serum estradiol was maintained for up to 6 days after cessation of daily dosing with Anastrozole tablets 1 mg.
Good point and an important distinction. I've been on anastrozole for two years with no significant side effects. Having had an aggressive estrogen-fed cancer, I will be staying on this drug for another three years- while continuing to improve my DEXA scores with an ONERO type supervised exercise program. My breast surgeon, medical oncologist and general practitioner- all women- recommend this approach. Everyone is different, but not everyone experiences severe side effects from AIs.
I also had a problem with thinning hair while taking anastrozole. I’ve read numerous articles which indicated that thinning hair can be caused by low estrogen. Since taking aromatase inhibitors, (anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane) leaves us with a very small amount of estrogen, it seems logical that hair loss is a common side effect.
True, we are not doctors here. We are real people sharing our experiences. I did say to check with her oncologist. It was actually my oncologist who suggested the half dose and also do drug vacations. And, no, this decision is not up to the doctor. It is up to the patient. After all, there are no drug police coming to my door to take me to drug jail. It was my radiation oncologist who stated that ultimately the patient makes the final decision. I think the point of this thread is to give people an idea of what's available so they can pursue the conversation with their oncologist.
Relatives in my paternal family live to their 60s-90s. None of them have had cognitive problems, or dementia—except my cousin Nancy, age 66. She just completed 5 years of anastrozole and last week her husband had to place her in a “memory care” home due to “unspecified dementia.”
In January I began taking this same dangerous drug myself and I’m frightened. Online I found peer review literature about cognitive decline associated with anastrozole. So far the side effects noticed since beginning taking it (and never before) have been a sequence of heavy rapid heart beats and possibly (?) a TIA. So my oncologist refers me to a cardio oncologist. What specialist can prevent dementia?
ANASTROZOLE may prevent a further breast cancer, but at what expense to the rest of my body and quality of life? 🥹
The drugs can act like chemotherapy in that the AI's suppress estrogen. They are prescribed to those whose cancer cells are 92% or more estrogen. No estrogen, cancer cells die. Therefore, the AI's only target cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs do not discriminate between good cells and cancer cells and kill both. Hence all the side effects. The reason we get all the side effects with the AI's is because so many aspects of our body make use of estrogen. While the drugs aren't indiscriminately killing cells, they are still affecting them. Think of menopause on steroids.
I also had a problem with thinning hair while taking anastrozole. I’ve read numerous articles which indicated that thinning hair can be caused by low estrogen. Since taking aromatase inhibitors, (anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane) leaves us with a very small amount of estrogen, it seems logical that hair loss is a common side effect.
Yes....friends of mine who had a tough time with menopause have thinner hair than mine. I'm on this for 10 years, and fortunately (other than the hair and dry skin) don't notice much else.
It matters as far as I'm concerned. My estrogen-fed grade 3 cancer apparently did not spread - as shown by a PET scan. But it was aggressive. There is no guarantee that it did not escape the lymph glands. Were I to disregard medical advice and stop taking 1mg anastrozole each day, I'd start worrying that every little twinge and pain might be caused by a tumour setting up shop somewhere. That would not be good for my mental health. Anyone can of course disregard the advice of their oncologist - the decision is always up to the patient- but he or she won't be the one living with the consequences. And you can always ask for a second or third opinion.
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https://www.drugs.com/pro/anastrozole.html
I've cut and pasted the pertinent information below
(estradiol=estrogen)
Mean serum concentrations of estradiol were evaluated in multiple daily dosing trials with 0.5, 1, 3, 5, and 10 mg of Anastrozole tablets in postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer. Clinically significant suppression of serum estradiol was seen with all doses. Doses of 1 mg and higher resulted in suppression of mean serum concentrations of estradiol to the lower limit of detection (3.7 pmol/L). The recommended daily dose, Anastrozole tablets 1 mg, reduced estradiol by approximately 70% within 24 hours and by approximately 80% after 14 days of daily dosing. Suppression of serum estradiol was maintained for up to 6 days after cessation of daily dosing with Anastrozole tablets 1 mg.
Thank you. Do you think this matters if I do not have advanced stage cancer?
I personally do not, but that's just my opinion. Again, ask your oncologist.
Good point and an important distinction. I've been on anastrozole for two years with no significant side effects. Having had an aggressive estrogen-fed cancer, I will be staying on this drug for another three years- while continuing to improve my DEXA scores with an ONERO type supervised exercise program. My breast surgeon, medical oncologist and general practitioner- all women- recommend this approach. Everyone is different, but not everyone experiences severe side effects from AIs.
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2 ReactionsI also had a problem with thinning hair while taking anastrozole. I’ve read numerous articles which indicated that thinning hair can be caused by low estrogen. Since taking aromatase inhibitors, (anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane) leaves us with a very small amount of estrogen, it seems logical that hair loss is a common side effect.
Agree
Cognitive decline secondary to Anastrozole;
Relatives in my paternal family live to their 60s-90s. None of them have had cognitive problems, or dementia—except my cousin Nancy, age 66. She just completed 5 years of anastrozole and last week her husband had to place her in a “memory care” home due to “unspecified dementia.”
In January I began taking this same dangerous drug myself and I’m frightened. Online I found peer review literature about cognitive decline associated with anastrozole. So far the side effects noticed since beginning taking it (and never before) have been a sequence of heavy rapid heart beats and possibly (?) a TIA. So my oncologist refers me to a cardio oncologist. What specialist can prevent dementia?
ANASTROZOLE may prevent a further breast cancer, but at what expense to the rest of my body and quality of life? 🥹
The drugs can act like chemotherapy in that the AI's suppress estrogen. They are prescribed to those whose cancer cells are 92% or more estrogen. No estrogen, cancer cells die. Therefore, the AI's only target cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs do not discriminate between good cells and cancer cells and kill both. Hence all the side effects. The reason we get all the side effects with the AI's is because so many aspects of our body make use of estrogen. While the drugs aren't indiscriminately killing cells, they are still affecting them. Think of menopause on steroids.
Yes....friends of mine who had a tough time with menopause have thinner hair than mine. I'm on this for 10 years, and fortunately (other than the hair and dry skin) don't notice much else.
It matters as far as I'm concerned. My estrogen-fed grade 3 cancer apparently did not spread - as shown by a PET scan. But it was aggressive. There is no guarantee that it did not escape the lymph glands. Were I to disregard medical advice and stop taking 1mg anastrozole each day, I'd start worrying that every little twinge and pain might be caused by a tumour setting up shop somewhere. That would not be good for my mental health. Anyone can of course disregard the advice of their oncologist - the decision is always up to the patient- but he or she won't be the one living with the consequences. And you can always ask for a second or third opinion.