Clinical data | |
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Trade names | Arimidex, Aremed, others [1] |
Other names | Anastrazole; anastrozol; ICI-D1033; ZD-1033 |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a696018 |
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Routes of administration | By mouth |
Drug class | Aromatase inhibitor; Antiestrogen |
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Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | Unknown (but well-absorbed in animals) [2] |
Protein binding | 40% [3] [4] |
Metabolism | Liver (~85%) (N-dealkylation, hydroxylation, glucuronidation) [3] [2] [4] |
Elimination half-life | 40–50 hours [3] [2] [4] |
Excretion | Urine (11%) [3] [2] [4] |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.129.723 |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C17H19N5 |
Molar mass | 293.374 g·mol−1 |
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Anastrozole, sold under the brand name Arimidex among others, is an antiestrogenic medication used in addition to other treatments for breast cancer. [6] [7] Specifically it is used for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. [7] It has also been used to prevent breast cancer in those at high risk. [7] It is taken by mouth. [7]
Common side effects of anastrozole include hot flashes, altered mood, joint pain, and nausea. [7] [6] Severe side effects include an increased risk of heart disease and osteoporosis. [7] Use during pregnancy may harm the baby. [7] Anastrozole is in the aromatase-inhibiting family of medications. [7] It works by blocking the production of estrogens in the body, and hence has antiestrogenic effects. [7]
Anastrozole was patented in 1987 and was approved for medical use in 1995. [8] [9] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. [10] Anastrozole is available as a generic medication. [7] In 2022, it was the 179th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 2 million prescriptions. [11] [12]
Anastrozole is used in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer in women. [7] The Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination (ATAC) trial was of localized breast cancer and women received either anastrozole, the selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen, or both for five years, followed by five years of follow-up. [13] After more than 5 years the group that received anastrozole had better results than the tamoxifen group. [13] The trial suggested that anastrozole is the preferred medical therapy for postmenopausal women with localized estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. [13]
Anastrozole is used at a dosage of 0.5 to 1 mg/day in combination with the antiandrogen bicalutamide in the treatment of peripheral precocious puberty, for instance due to familial male-limited precocious puberty (testotoxicosis) and McCune–Albright syndrome, in boys. [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23]
Anastrozole is available in the form of 1 mg oral tablets. [6] [24] No alternative forms or routes are available. [24]
Contraindications of anastrozole include hypersensitivity to anastrozole or any other component of anastrozole formulations, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. [6] Hypersensitivity reactions to anastrozole including anaphylaxis, angioedema, and urticaria have been observed. [6]
Common side effects of anastrozole (≥10% incidence) include hot flashes, asthenia, arthritis, pain, arthralgia, hypertension, depression, nausea and vomiting, rash, osteoporosis, bone fractures, back pain, insomnia, headache, bone pain, peripheral edema, coughing, dyspnea, pharyngitis, and lymphedema. [6] Serious but rare adverse effects (<0.1% incidence) include skin reactions such as lesions, ulcers, or blisters; allergic reactions with swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and/or throat that may cause difficulty swallowing or breathing; and abnormal liver function tests as well as hepatitis. [6]
Anastrozole is thought to have clinically negligible inhibitory effects on the cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2D6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19. [3] [2] [4] [6] As a result, it is thought that drug interactions of anastrozole with cytochrome P450 substrates are unlikely. [4] No clinically significant drug interactions have been reported with anastrozole as of 2003. [3]
Anastrozole does not affect circulating levels of tamoxifen or its major metabolite N-desmethyltamoxifen. [3] [2] However, tamoxifen has been found to decrease steady-state area-under-the-curve levels of anastrozole by 27%. [3] [2] But estradiol levels were not significantly different in the group that received both anastrozole and tamoxifen compared to the anastrozole alone group, so the decrease in anastrozole levels is not thought to be clinically important. [4]
Anastrozole works by reversibly binding to the aromatase enzyme, and through competitive inhibition blocks the conversion of androgens to estrogens in peripheral (extragonadal) tissues. [25] The medication has been found to achieve 96.7% to 97.3% inhibition of aromatase at a dosage of 1 mg/day and 98.1% inhibition of aromatase at a dosage of 10 mg/day in humans. [3] [2] As such, 1 mg/day is considered to be the minimal dosage required to achieve maximal suppression of aromatase with anastrozole. [3] This decrease in aromatase activity results in an at least 85% decrease in estradiol levels in postmenopausal women. [3] Levels of corticosteroids and other adrenal steroids are unaffected by anastrozole. [3]
Generation | Medication | Dosage | % inhibitiona | Classb | IC50c |
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First | Testolactone | 250 mg 4x/day p.o. | ? | Type I | ? |
100 mg 3x/week i.m. | ? | ||||
Rogletimide | 200 mg 2x/day p.o. 400 mg 2x/day p.o. 800 mg 2x/day p.o. | 50.6% 63.5% 73.8% | Type II | ? | |
Aminoglutethimide | 250 mg mg 4x/day p.o. | 90.6% | Type II | 4,500 nM | |
Second | Formestane | 125 mg 1x/day p.o. 125 mg 2x/day p.o. 250 mg 1x/day p.o. | 72.3% 70.0% 57.3% | Type I | 30 nM |
250 mg 1x/2 weeks i.m. 500 mg 1x/2 weeks i.m. 500 mg 1x/1 week i.m. | 84.8% 91.9% 92.5% | ||||
Fadrozole | 1 mg 1x/day p.o. 2 mg 2x/day p.o. | 82.4% 92.6% | Type II | ? | |
Third | Exemestane | 25 mg 1x/day p.o. | 97.9% | Type I | 15 nM |
Anastrozole | 1 mg 1x/day p.o. 10 mg 1x/day p.o. | 96.7–97.3% 98.1% | Type II | 10 nM | |
Letrozole | 0.5 mg 1x/day p.o. 2.5 mg 1x/day p.o. | 98.4% 98.9%–>99.1% | Type II | 2.5 nM | |
Footnotes:a = In postmenopausal women. b = Type I: Steroidal, irreversible (substrate-binding site). Type II: Nonsteroidal, reversible (binding to and interference with the cytochrome P450 heme moiety). c = In breast cancer homogenates. Sources: See template. |
The bioavailability of anastrozole in humans is unknown, but it was found to be well-absorbed in animals. [2] [6] Absorption of anastrozole is linear over a dosage range of 1 to 20 mg/day in humans and does not change with repeated administration. [3] [4] [6] Food does not significantly influence the extent of absorption of anastrozole. [4] [6] Peak levels of anastrozole occur a median 3 hours after administration, but with a wide range of 2 to 12 hours. [2] [4] Steady-state levels of anastrozole are achieved within 7 to 10 days of continuous administration, with 3.5-fold accumulation. [3] [2] [4] However, maximal suppression of estradiol levels occurs within 3 or 4 days of therapy. [3]
Active efflux of anastrozole by P-glycoprotein at the blood–brain barrier has been found to limit the central nervous system penetration of anastrozole in rodents, whereas this was not the case with letrozole and vorozole. [26] [27] [28] As such, anastrozole may have peripheral selectivity in humans, although this has yet to be confirmed. [28] In any case, estradiol is synthesized peripherally and readily crosses the blood–brain barrier, so anastrozole would still expected to reduce estradiol levels in the central nervous system to a certain degree. The plasma protein binding of anastrozole is 40%. [3] [4]
The metabolism of anastrozole is by N-dealkylation, hydroxylation, and glucuronidation. [3] Inhibition of aromatase is due to anastrozole itself rather than to metabolites, with the major circulating metabolite being inactive. [6] The elimination half-life of anastrozole is 40 to 50 hours (1.7 to 2.1 days). [3] [2] [4] This allows for convenient once-daily administration. [4] The medication is eliminated predominantly by metabolism in the liver (83 to 85%) but also by residual excretion by the kidneys unchanged (11%). [3] [2] [4] Anastrozole is excreted primarily in urine but also to a lesser extent in feces. [4]
Anastrozole is a nonsteroidal benzyl triazole. [3] [4] It is also known as α,α,α',α'-tetramethyl-5-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-m-benzenediacetonitrile. [1] Anastrozole is structurally related to letrozole, fadrozole, and vorozole, with all being classified as azoles. [29] [30] [31] [32]
Anastrozole was patented by Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) in 1987 and was approved for medical use, specifically the treatment of breast cancer, in 1995. [8] [9]
Anastrozole is the generic name of the drug and its INN , USAN , BAN , and JAN . [1]
Anastrozole is primarily sold under the brand name Arimidex. [1] However, it is also marketed under a variety of other brand names throughout the world. [1]
Anastrozole is available widely throughout the world. [1]
Anastrozole is surprisingly ineffective at treating gynecomastia, in contrast to selective estrogen receptor modulators like tamoxifen. [33] [34]
Anastrozole was under development for the treatment of female infertility but did not complete development and hence was never approved for this indication. [35]
An anastrozole and levonorgestrel vaginal ring (developmental code name BAY 98–7196) was under development for use as a hormonal contraceptive and treatment for endometriosis, but development was discontinued in November 2018 and the formulation was never marketed. [36]
Anastrozole increases testosterone levels in males and has been studied as an alternative method of androgen replacement therapy in men with hypogonadism. [37] [38] However, there are concerns about its long-term influence on bone mineral density in this patient population, as well as other adverse effects. [37]
Tamoxifen, sold under the brand name Nolvadex among others, is a selective estrogen receptor modulator used to prevent breast cancer in women and men. It is also being studied for other types of cancer. It has been used for Albright syndrome. Tamoxifen is typically taken daily by mouth for five years for breast cancer.
Fulvestrant, sold under the brand name Faslodex among others, is an antiestrogenic medication used to treat hormone receptor (HR)-positive metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women with disease progression as well as HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer in combination with abemaciclib or palbociclib in women with disease progression after endocrine therapy. It is given by injection into a muscle.
Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are a class of drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer in postmenopausal women and in men, and gynecomastia in men. They may also be used off-label to reduce estrogen conversion when supplementing testosterone exogenously. They may also be used for chemoprevention in women at high risk for breast cancer.
Raloxifene, sold under the brand name Evista among others, is a medication used to prevent and treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and those on glucocorticoids. For osteoporosis it is less preferred than bisphosphonates. It is also used to reduce the risk of breast cancer in those at high risk. It is taken by mouth.
Letrozole, sold under the brand name Femara among others, is an aromatase inhibitor medication that is used in the treatment of breast cancer for post-menopausal women.
Exemestane, sold under the brand name Aromasin among others, is a medication used to treat breast cancer. It is a member of the class of antiestrogens known as aromatase inhibitors. Some breast cancers require estrogen to grow. Those cancers have estrogen receptors (ERs), and are called ER-positive. They may also be called estrogen-responsive, hormonally-responsive, or hormone-receptor-positive. Aromatase is an enzyme that synthesizes estrogen. Aromatase inhibitors block the synthesis of estrogen. This lowers the estrogen level, and slows the growth of cancers.
Tibolone, sold under the brand name Livial among others, is a medication which is used in menopausal hormone therapy and in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and endometriosis. The medication is available alone and is not formulated or used in combination with other medications. It is taken by mouth.
Antiestrogens, also known as estrogen antagonists or estrogen blockers, are a class of drugs which prevent estrogens like estradiol from mediating their biological effects in the body. They act by blocking the estrogen receptor (ER) and/or inhibiting or suppressing estrogen production. Antiestrogens are one of three types of sex hormone antagonists, the others being antiandrogens and antiprogestogens. Antiestrogens are commonly used to stop steroid hormones, estrogen, from binding to the estrogen receptors leading to the decrease of estrogen levels. Decreased levels of estrogen can lead to complications in sexual development.
Testolactone is a non-selective, irreversible, steroidal aromatase inhibitor which is used as an antineoplastic drug to treat advanced-stage breast cancer. The drug was discontinued in 2008 and is no longer available for medical use.
Estrone sulfate, also known as E1S, E1SO4 and estrone 3-sulfate, is a natural, endogenous steroid and an estrogen ester and conjugate.
Estradiol cypionate (EC), sold under the brand name Depo-Estradiol among others, is an estrogen medication which is used in hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms and low estrogen levels in women, in hormone therapy for trans women, and in hormonal birth control for women. It is given by injection into muscle once every 1 to 4 weeks.
Estradiol dipropionate (EDP), sold under the brand names Agofollin, Di-Ovocylin, and Progynon DP among others, is an estrogen medication which has been used in hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms and low estrogen levels in women and in the treatment of gynecological disorders. It has also been used in feminizing hormone therapy for transgender women and in the treatment of prostate cancer in men. Although widely used in the past, estradiol dipropionate has largely been discontinued and is mostly no longer available today. It appears to remain in use only in Japan, Macedonia, and Australia. Estradiol dipropionate is given by injection into muscle at intervals ranging from once or twice a week to once every week and a half to two weeks.
Aromatase excess syndrome is a rarely diagnosed genetic and endocrine syndrome which is characterized by an overexpression of aromatase, the enzyme responsible for the biosynthesis of the estrogen sex hormones from the androgens, in turn resulting in excessive levels of circulating estrogens and, accordingly, symptoms of hyperestrogenism. It affects both sexes, manifesting itself in males as marked or complete phenotypical feminization and in females as hyperfeminization.
Gynecomastia is the non-cancerous enlargement of one or both breasts in men due to the growth of breast tissue as a result of a hormone imbalance between estrogens and androgens. Physically speaking, gynecomastia is completely benign, but it is associated with significant psychological distress, social stigma, and dysphoria.
An estrogen-dependent condition can be that relating to the differentiation in the steroid sex hormone that is associated with the female reproductive system and sex characteristics. These conditions can fall under the umbrella of hypoestrogenism, hyperestrogenim, or any sensitivity to the presence of estrogen in the body.
Conjugated estrogens (CEs), or conjugated equine estrogens (CEEs), sold under the brand name Premarin among others, is an estrogen medication which is used in menopausal hormone therapy and for various other indications. It is a mixture of the sodium salts of estrogen conjugates found in horses, such as estrone sulfate and equilin sulfate. CEEs are available in the form of both natural preparations manufactured from the urine of pregnant mares and fully synthetic replications of the natural preparations. They are formulated both alone and in combination with progestins such as medroxyprogesterone acetate. CEEs are usually taken by mouth, but can also be given by application to the skin or vagina as a cream or by injection into a blood vessel or muscle.
Estradiol (E2) is a medication and naturally occurring steroid hormone. It is an estrogen and is used mainly in menopausal hormone therapy and to treat low sex hormone levels in women. It is also used in hormonal birth control for women, in feminizing hormone therapy for transgender women and some non-binary individuals, and in the treatment of hormone-sensitive cancers like prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women, among other uses. Estradiol can be taken by mouth, held and dissolved under the tongue, as a gel or patch that is applied to the skin, in through the vagina, by injection into muscle or fat, or through the use of an implant that is placed into fat, among other routes.
The medical uses of bicalutamide, a nonsteroidal antiandrogen (NSAA), include the treatment of androgen-dependent conditions and hormone therapy to block the effects of androgens. Indications for bicalutamide include the treatment of prostate cancer in men, skin and hair conditions such as acne, seborrhea, hirsutism, and pattern hair loss in women, high testosterone levels in women, hormone therapy in transgender women, as a puberty blocker to prevent puberty in transgender girls and to treat early puberty in boys, and the treatment of long-lasting erections in men. It may also have some value in the treatment of paraphilias and hypersexuality in men.
An estrogen (E) is a type of medication which is used most commonly in hormonal birth control and menopausal hormone therapy, and as part of feminizing hormone therapy for transgender women. They can also be used in the treatment of hormone-sensitive cancers like breast cancer and prostate cancer and for various other indications. Estrogens are used alone or in combination with progestogens. They are available in a wide variety of formulations and for use by many different routes of administration. Examples of estrogens include bioidentical estradiol, natural conjugated estrogens, synthetic steroidal estrogens like ethinylestradiol, and synthetic nonsteroidal estrogens like diethylstilbestrol. Estrogens are one of three types of sex hormone agonists, the others being androgens/anabolic steroids like testosterone and progestogens like progesterone.
Non-Steroidal Aromatase Inhibitors (NSAIs) are one of two categories of aromatase inhibitors (AIs). AIs are divided into two categories, steroidal aromatase inhibitors and non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors that is based on their mechanism of action and structure. NSAIs are mainly used to treat breast cancer in women. NSAIs binding is a reversible process where NSAIs binds to the aromatase enzyme through non-covalent interactions. When aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are used to treat breast cancer the main target is the aromatase enzyme which is responsible for the high estrogen level.