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What exactly is Arimidex? What is the composition and use? It is a drug in the anti-cancer and immunomodulating category. It is in the form of coated tablets, in a package of 28 pieces. Arimidex is a prescription medicine that is only intended for women. Its main application is anti-cancer activity.
What is the composition of Arimidex? What is the main substance? What are the main recommendations for the use of the drug? First of all, it should be mentioned that the drug has an anti-cancer effect. It is in the form of film-coated tablets, taken orally. One package is 28 tablets. Arimidex is a refundable measure. How should you dose the drug and what should you pay attention to when taking it?
Arimidex – application
Arimidex is an anti-cancer drug, namely a very powerful selective non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor. The drug can be used both in the treatment of advanced-stage breast cancer and early-stage cancer in women who have gone through the menopause and who have been diagnosed with the estrogen receptor in the lesion. Arimidex is also recommended for women in the early stages of cancer, but as an add-on to tamoxifen. Oncologists believe that in the early stages of breast cancer, treatment should last about 5 years. There is no need to modify the dosage in the case of renal failure, as well as in the elderly. However, extreme caution is recommended when using the drug when the patient is diagnosed with acute liver failure or other functional disorders of the liver. The drug can also be administered to patients with breast cancer.
The dose and frequency of taking the drug is determined by the attending physician. Before starting the treatment, the patient should read the leaflet in order to learn not only about the properties of the drug, but also possible side effects that may occur during treatment. It is also necessary to check the expiry date, which should be on the packaging, in no case should Arimidex be taken after the expiry date. It is also important to keep the agent in a tightly closed package, the medicine must not be exposed to sunlight.
Arimidex – precautions
Of course, as in the case of other drugs, a contraindication to its use is hypersensitivity to any of the components of the drug. Arimidex must only be used in a specific disease. It cannot be transferred to other people, as the measure must be assigned by an oncologist. A specialist physician should know about the patient’s other medications. Arimidex must not be taken by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
During the treatment, side effects may appear:
- joint pain and stiffness
- hair thinning
- nausea
- vomiting
- somnolence
- vaginal bleeding
- headaches
- vaginal dryness
- hot flushes
- increased levels of cholesterol in the blood
- changes in biochemical parameters
- lack of appetite
- diarrhea
Other undesirable symptoms that may appear while taking the drug include drowsiness and fatigue, therefore, during the treatment, you should not drive or operate large mechanical machines. If you notice any of the symptoms, regardless of their severity, report it to the oncologist, who will decide to exclude the drug from the treatment or replace it with another drug.
Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health.