Arimidex vs. Femara

• Are Arimidex and Femara the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Arimidex?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Femara?
• What is Arimidex?
• What is Femara?
• What Drugs Interact with Arimidex?
• What Drugs Interact with Femara?
• How Should Arimidex Be Taken?
• How Should Femara Be Taken?

Arimidex (anastrozole) and Femara (letrozole) are nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Arimidex and Femara are often given to women whose cancer has progressed even after taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex, Soltamox).

Common side effects of Arimidex include:

• stomach upset,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling),
• constipation,
• headache,
• confusion,
• memory problems,
• loss of balance or coordination,
• blurred vision,
• double vision,
• eye redness,
• lightheadedness,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• drowsiness,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• stuffy nose,
• itching, or
• rash, especially during the first few days as your body adjusts to this medication.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Arimidex including:

• fever,
• chills,
• flu symptoms,
• slow heart rate,
• feeling like you might pass out,
• seizures (convulsions), or
• jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).

Common side effects of Femara include:

• hot flashes,
• warmth in your face or chest,
• hair loss,
• joint/bone/muscle pain,
• tiredness,
• unusual sweating or night sweats,
• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• dizziness,
• trouble sleeping,
• drowsiness,
• weight gain,
• weakness,
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling),
• headache,
• constipation,
• numbness/tingling/weakness/stiffness in your hand or fingers, or
• pain in your hand that spreads to your arm, wrist, forearm, or shoulder.

Arimidex (anastrozole) is a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Arimidex is often given to women whose cancer has progressed even after taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex, Soltamox). Arimidex is available in generic form.

Femara (letrozole) is a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor (lowers estrogen production) used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Femara is often given to women who have been taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex, Soltamox) for 5 years. Femara is available in generic form.

Femara (letrozole) is a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor (lowers estrogen production) used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Femara is often given to women who have been taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex, Soltamox) for 5 years. Femara is available in generic form.

Do not use birth control containing estrogen. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Breastfeeding while using this drug is not recommended.

The dose of Arimidex is one 1 mg tablet taken once a day. For patients with advanced breast cancer, the medication should be continued until tumor progression.

The recommended dose of Femara is one 2.5 mg tablet administered once a day, without regard to meals.