Anastrozole is the generic name for the brand-name drug, Arimidex, one of a class of drugs called aromatase inhibitors.
Anastrozole works by binding reversibly to the body’s aromastase enzyme, which is responsible for producing estrogen. Many breast cancer cells depend on estrogen to grow and multiply quickly. When the aromatase inhibitor is bound to the aromastase enzyme, the bound aromatase enzyme cannot produce estrogen. This drug-caused lack of estrogen "starves" estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells, preventing them from multiplying and blocking growth of the tumor.
Aromatase inhibitors, such as anastrozole, are used:
• To reduce the risk of recurrence of early-stage breast cancer in post-menopausal women
• To treat advanced breast cancer
Moreover, if a woman who has had breast cancer has been taking tamoxifen for 5 years, it generally is recommended that she consider taking an aromatase inhibitor.
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