Anastrozole vs Femara: Unveiling the Differences and Similarities
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women after lung cancer.
According to the World Health Organization, 2.3 million women were diagnosed with Breast cancer in 2020.
Anastrozole and Femara are popular medicines used to treat breast cancer in women who have gone through menopause.
These drugs belong to a group of medicines called Aromatase Inhibitors (AI).
Anastrozole is usually used as a first-line treatment for breast cancer, while Letrozole is a second-line treatment after other choices have failed.
Anastrozole is sold under the brand name Arimidex, and Femara is the brand name of Letrozole. Both drugs can also be bought as generics.
Blocking aromatase lowers the body’s Estrogen, which may stop the growth of cancer cells that need Estrogen to grow.
This article will compare Anastrozole vs Femara, two popular AIs used to treat breast cancer.
Overview
A quick overview of the two medications includes:
| Factors | Anastrozole | Femara |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Salt | Brand |
| FDA approval | 1995 | 1998 |
| Dosage | Usual recommended dose is 1mg tablet daily | Usual recommended dose is 2.5mg tablet daily |
| Side effects | Hot flashes, Dizziness, Fatigue, Arthralgia, Edema | Sweating, Increased cholesterol, Swelling, Weight gain |
| Drug Interactions | 18 medications – 1 major and 17 moderate | 105 medications – 3 major, 95 moderate, and 7 minor. |
| Disease Interactions | Cardiovascular disease, Cholesterol disease, Hepatic dysfunction, Osteoporosis | Liver disease, cholesterol, and Osteoporosis. |
Efficacy
A study conducted in 2008 shows that Letrozole (Femara) reduces Estrogen more than Anastrozole in breast tumors.
A recent randomized Phase III Femara Versus Anastrozole Clinical Evaluation trial compared the efficacy and safety of adjuvant Letrozole with Anastrozole.
It showed no significant difference in disease-free survival between the two medications.
Therefore, choosing between Anastrozole or Femara depends on several considerations, such as the patient’s medical history, the stage of cancer, and the potential side effects associated with each medicine.
Dosage
Both Anastrozole and Femara are available in tablet forms and can be taken once a day.
Anastrozole is taken once a day at a dose of 1 mg.
The dose may be increased to a maximum of 10 mg if necessary.
It should be taken simultaneously every day, with or without food.
The starting dose of Femara is 2.5 mg.
The dose may be increased to a maximum of 5 mg if necessary.
It should also be taken simultaneously daily, with or without food.
Side Effects
It is important to remember that side effects can change from person to person, and some may experience different or more severe adverse effects than others.
Some of the common side effects of Anastrozole and Femara include:
- Hot flashes
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Arthralgia
- Edema
Some of the Side effects of Anastrozole include:
- Numbness or tingling feeling in your skin
- Weakness
- Sore throat or cough
- Depression
- Sleep problems
Some of the Side effects of Femara include:
- Sweating
- Increased cholesterol
- Swelling
- Weight gain
Interactions
Anastrozole and Femara have interactions with drugs and diseases.
Drug Interactions
Anastrozole and Femara can interact with other medications.
Anastrozole can interact with 18 medications: 1 major and 17 moderate.
Femara can interact with 105 medications: 3 major, 95 moderate, and 7 minor.
Disease interactions
Anastrozole interacts with four diseases – Cardiovascular disease, Cholesterol disease, Hepatic dysfunction, and Osteoporosis.
Femara interacts with three diseases – liver disease, cholesterol, and Osteoporosis.
Anastrozole has more disease interaction, whereas Femara has more drug interactions.
It is essential that you provide your doctor with information regarding your past medical conditions and treatments so that they can give you the most appropriate medication.
Takeaway
Anastrozole and Femara are both aromatase inhibitors for menopausal women that have gone through breast cancer.
Even though Femara has shown more potency in some studies, there is no significant difference between the potency of the two medications.
Both are available in tablet form but with different amounts of dosage.
Side effects like Hot flashes and Dizziness, among others familiar with both medications.
Anastrozole has higher disease interactions, while Femara has higher drug interactions.
The decision between Anastrozole and Letrozole should be taken in conjunction with a medical professional after considering each individual’s specific needs and preferences.
However, both drugs contribute significantly to managing breast cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions
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