Aromatase Inhibitors for Breast Cancer Treatment

These medications may be used with Aromasin if your cancer has gotten worse with other treatments. Aromasin’s mechanism of action (how it works) is blocking the effects of a hormone called estrogen. This action prevents or slows breast cancer from growing or spreading. In studies of the drug, weight gain occurred when Aromasin was used to treat advanced breast cancer. This was a common side effect in studies when the drug was used to treat early or advanced breast cancer. https://www.rmkresidential.ac.in/newsite/lipo-fire-bodybuilding-dosage-a-comprehensive/ Exemestane (Aromasin), another selective aromatase inhibitor, comes in 25 mg tablets, and for postmenopausal breast cancer, dosing is 25 mg daily for 2 to 3 years.

• For women with breast cancer, there is growing evidence aromatase inhibitors are more effective than tamoxifen, the drug traditionally used to prevent breast cancer recurrence.
• Men with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer most often take tamoxifen.
• Aromasin may also be used off-label for other types of breast cancer.
• Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Aromasin.
• Hormone therapy is recommended for a full five to 10 years after the primary treatment of breast cancer, so the cost of tamoxifen or your aromatase inhibitor is an important factor to consider.

While aromatase inhibitors can be an effective part of overall treatment, they’re not for everyone. If you have ER-positive breast cancer, ask a doctor about the potential benefits and risks of taking these medications. Tumors that are hormone insensitive do not have hormone receptors and do not respond to hormone therapy. For some women who have been treated with tamoxifen, changing to an aromatase inhibitor may be recommended at some time depending on her risk of recurrence. If you have ER-positive breast cancer, aromatase inhibitor therapy significantly reduces your risk that breast cancer will come back. One early study compared outcomes for those who took the aromatase inhibitor letrozole after tamoxifen and people who didn’t.

The Cost of Tamoxifen vs. Aromatase Inhibitors

Your doctor may have you first take tamoxifen, then switch you to Aromasin. This can depend on different factors, such as how well tamoxifen treats your cancer. In some cases, your doctor may have you take both medications. The drug is also banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency for bodybuilding. Aromasin works by lowering the level of a hormone called estrogen.

How are aromatase inhibitors taken?

Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause. Aromasin treats breast cancer by blocking the effects of estrogen. Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you.

Aromatase inhibitors side effects

It’s thought that the risk of recurrence remains steady (the same chance of recurrence each year) for at least 20 years following the original diagnosis. Fortunately, while chemotherapy does not appear to significantly reduce the risk of late recurrence, hormonal therapy (such as aromatase inhibitors) can reduce the risk. An aromatase inhibitor (AI) is a type of hormone therapy for cancer.

In large studies, both anastrozole and exemestane have been shown to lower breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women who are at increased risk 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. For example, they might be a reasonable option for women who have an increased risk of blood clots and therefore should not take tamoxifen or raloxifene 22. In people who have estrogen receptor positive tumors, the risk of recurrence does not decrease with time. In fact, a hormone positive early stage breast cancer is more likely to recur after five years than in the first five years.

For most women, the benefit of the extra 5 years of treatment is small [112]. When an aromatase inhibitor is taken after tamoxifen, the drugs are taken for a combined total of 5-10 years. Aromatase inhibitors are used to treat breast cancer in women. In rare cases, they are used to treat breast cancer in men. Learn more about the side effects of aromatase inhibitors. The cost for Aromasin 25 mg oral tablet is around $1,222 for a supply of 30 tablets, depending on the pharmacy you visit.

Quoted prices are for cash-paying customers and are not valid with insurance plans. This price guide is based on using the Drugs.com discount card which is accepted at most U.S. pharmacies. Read on as we take a closer look at aromatase inhibitors and who can use them. The results of these studies will decide whether these therapies become part of the standard of care. Research is ongoing to improve all areas of treatment for breast cancer.