Aromasin vs Arimidex
Aromasin vs Arimidex: both medications are aromatase inhibitors. They are effective in blocking aromatase an enzyme that is involved in producing estrogens within the body. Aromatase converts androgens like testosterone into estrogen, a female hormone. About two-thirds of breast cancers can be classified as hormonal receptor positive breast cancer. This means the development of the cancer is strongly controlled and sustained by the level of estrogen present in the body. Estrogen is able to connect to estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells, which may signal cancer cells to multiply and expand.
Aromasin and Arimidex are both brand-name hormone therapy drugs that treat hormone receptor positive breast cancer. By reducing estrogen levels within our bodies, these drugs aid in stopping or slowing the expansion in breast cancer cell growth. Aromasin and Arimidex are only able to be purchased by prescription.
What is the primary difference that distinguishes Aromasin and Arimidex?
Arimidex is the brand name of anastrozole. This medication has been FDA-approved in the year 1995 and is used to treat hormone receptor-positive premenopausal breast cancer. Arimidex is available in the form of one mg tablet that is to be taken every day either with or without food. Its metabolism of Arimidex within the body is not significantly altered by diet. Arimidex originates from ANI Pharmaceuticals.
Aromasin is the brand name used for Exemestane. The drug has been FDA certified in 1999 and is used to treat hormone-positive early breast cancer in women who are postmenopausal and have been taking tamoxifen for two or three years. Aromasin is available in tablets that contain 25 mg and are that is taken daily, following eating. Food supplements have been found to enhance your absorption of the drug in the human body. Aromasin is made by Pfizer.
| Main differences between Arimidex and Aromasin | ||
|---|---|---|
| Aromasin | Arimidex | |
| Drug class | Aromatase inhibitor | Aromatase inhibitor |
| Brand/generic status | Brand and generic available | Brand and generic available |
| What is the generic name? | Exemestane | Anastrozole |
| What form(s) does the drug come in? | Oral tablet | Oral tablet |
| What is the standard dosage? | 25 mg once daily | 1 mg once daily |
| How long is the typical treatment? | 2 to 3 years | 5 to 10 years |
| Who typically uses the medication? | Postmenopausal women | Postmenopausal women |
Conditions addressed by Aromasin and Arimidex
Aromasin and Arimidex are FDA-approved adjuvant therapies for early hormone receptor positive breast cancer. As adjuvant treatments, they are usually administered after the first therapy, like the operation, was completed.
Aromasin can be FDA recognized as an adjuvant treatment for breast cancer. treatment following tamoxifen administered for a period of up to three years. Aromasin can be administered for a period of two to three years after tamoxifen therapy for 5 years of tamoxifen treatment. The brand name is, Nolvadex, tamoxifen is an estrogen-modulator that is able to bind to estrogen receptors found on cancer cells to ensure that estrogen does not bind to the receptor, and thus hinder the growth of cancer cells. Arimidex is FDA recognized as an adjuvant therapy right after the first treatment, like surgery, and without the necessity of tamoxifen in the first place.
The two Aromasin and Arimidex are approved for treating advanced hormone receptor positive breast cancer after tamoxifen therapy. Breast cancer that is advanced called metastatic breast cancer, which is a form of cancer that has been able to spread from breast cancer to the lymph nodes, and other body parts like the liver, bones, and lungs. Arimidex is also approved by the FDA as the first-line treatment option for advanced hormone-unknown breast cancer. These is also known as breast cancers that may or might not be responsible for hormone treatment. Aromasin is not approved to treat cancers that are unrelated to hormones however it can be prescribed off-label to treat this type of cancer.
| Condition | Aromasin | Arimidex |
| Early breast cancer that is hormone receptor positive | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced breast cancer after tamoxifen treatment | Yes | Yes |
| Hormone receptor-positive , or hormones not identified localized metastatic or advanced breast cancer | off-label | yes |
Is Aromasin and Arimidexmore efficient?
Aromasin and Arimidex are both effective treatments for breast cancer. The most effective treatment for breast cancer is based on a variety of elements, such as the patient’s response to treatment, the side reactions that occur, as well as what is the costs of the treatment. A doctor must be consulted for the most effective treatment.
Anastrozole and Exemestane, the active components found in Arimidex and Aromasin respectively, are studied in clinical trials that have been conducted head-tohead. A research study that was published in the journal The Lancet Oncology compared anastrozole and exemestane with letrozole. The study concluded that the three aromatase inhibitors had similar efficacy in treating hormone receptor positive breast cancer. The study also showed 5 years’ treatment with aromatase inhibitors is not more effective than two years of Tamoxifen therapy and followed by an aromatase inhibitor over three years.
Another study that was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology discovered that aromatase inhibitors were equally effective as adjuvant treatments for breast cancer that is postmenopausal. The most important factor that determines the effectiveness of aromatase inhibitors is their tolerance in relation to potential adverse consequences. In the same study, researchers found that exemestane might be an option to use as up-front adjuvant treatment for women with hormone receptors that are positive postmenopausal breast cancer without the requirement for up to three years of treatment with tamoxifen first.
Cost and coverage comparison of Aromasin vs Arimidex
Arimidex is a brand-name medicine that is also available in generic form. The generic version may be cheaper than the brand name version. Arimidex has generally included in Medicare as well as insurance policies. Utilizing the generic Arimidex can help cut the cost for insured as well as non-insured patients by about $22. In other words, the cost of retailing generic Arimidex is around $500.
The Aromasin brand is also brand name medication available in a generic version. A majority of Medicare, as well as insurance programs, assist in covering the cost of Aromasin. However, it’s essential to verify the plan’s policies and benefits of coverage. If you use the SingleCare saving cards generic Aromasin may reduce the price of the drug by around $38. The cost for retail for the Aromasin prescription is approximately $700.
| Aromasin | Arimidex | |
| Typically, is it covered through insurance? | Yes | Yes |
| Typically, is it covered in Medicare Part D? | Yes | Yes |
| Quantity | 30 tablets of 25 mg each | 30 mg, 1 mg tablets |
| Typical Medicare copay | $0-$9 | $0-$1 |
| SingleCare Cost | $37 | $22 |
Common side effects of Aromasin and Arimidex
Aromasin and Arimidex can trigger similar reactions, such as hot flashes, joint pain, and muscles pain. Because they are both aromatase inhibitors medicines can also result in reduced bone mineral density as well as increased risk of osteoporosis.
Based on the FDA label the most frequently reported adverse reactions that are reported from Arimidex to include hot flashes, weakening joint pains, sore throats high blood pressure nausea, depression as well as osteoporosis, rash headache, insomnia, and back pain.
As per the FDA label The most frequently reported side effects of Aromasin to include hot flashes, fatigue headache, joint pain, nausea, insomnia, an increase in appetite, and an increase in sweating.
When the two medications were compared in a head-to-head clinical trial, Arimidex was found to have more adverse impacts regarding bone mineral thickness (osteoporosis) and vaginal bleeding, as well as the levels of cholesterol to be high. Aromasin was discovered to trigger more liver function issues.
| Aromasin | Arimidex | |||
| Side effect | Applicable? | Frequency | Applicable? | Frequency |
| Hot flashes | Yes | 55% | Yes | 56% |
| Joint pain | Yes | 7% | Yes | 6% |
| Muscle pain | Yes | 17% | Yes | 16% |
| Vaginal bleeding | Yes | 1% | Yes | 2% |
| Abnormal liver enzyme levels | Yes | 1% | Yes | 1% |
| Abnormal bilirubin levels | Yes | 2% | Yes | 1% |
| Osteoporosis | Yes | 31% | Yes | 35% |
| Atrial fibrillation | Yes | 1% | Yes | 2% |
Drug interactions between Arimidex and. Aromasin
Arimidex is not recommended to be used when taking Tamoxifen. Tamoxifen taken with Arimidex could lower the levels of Arimidex within the body. This could result in a decrease in the efficacy of Arimidex. Aromasin is not a problem with Tamoxifen.
Products containing estrogens, such as birth control pills and other contraceptives could reduce the effectiveness of Aromasin and Arimidex. This is because estrogen treatments increase levels of estrogen, while Arimidex and Aromasin lower the levels of estrogen within the body. The estrogen effects are counterbalanced by the effects of aromatase inhibitors.
The use of drugs as CYP3A4 inducers may decrease the levels of Aromasin within the body. This can cause a reduction in the efficacy of Aromasin. The medications that function in the role of CYP3A4 inducers comprise rifampin carbamazepine and phenytoin. The dosage of Aromasin must be increased when Aromasin is used in conjunction along with a CYP3A4 inducer.
| Drug | Class of drugs | Arimidex | Aromasin |
| Tamoxifen | Estrogen modulator | Yes | No |
| Estradiol Ethinyl estradiol Conjugated estrogens |
Estrogens | Yes | Yes |
| St. John’s Wort Phenobarbital Phenytoin Carbamazepine Rifampin Dexamethasone |
CYP3A4 inducers | No | Yes |
Warnings of Arimidex and Aromasin
As inhibitors of aromatase Arimidex and Aromasin have anti-estrogen properties. Estrogen helps promote bone growth. The loss of bone mineral density is one of the possible negative effects of each Arimidex as well as Aromasin. A thorough examination of the bones is required prior to beginning or during treatments with Arimidex as well as Aromasin.
Women who have pre-existing Ischemic heart disease could be at an increased chance of suffering from chest discomfort (angina) or heart attacks (myocardial infarction) when taking Arimidex. Get medical attention immediately when you feel breathing problems or chest pain following the use of Arimidex. Arimidex could also trigger increased cholesterol levels that can impact your heart disease.
Vitamin D levels might require monitoring while taking Arimidex and Aromasin. Low levels of vitamin D are linked to Metastatic breast cancer. Vitamin D supplementation could be necessary when taking Arimidex as well as Aromasin.
Arimidex and Aromasin may cause harm to fetuses. It is not advised to use Arimidex or Aromasin when you are pregnant.
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Always consult your physician to make sure the information presented on this page is applicable to your specific situation.