Arimidex vs. Tamoxifen (Soltamox, Nolvadex)

Arimidex (anastrozole) and tamoxifen are used to treat breast cancer.

Arimidex is used in postmenopausal women and is often given to women whose cancer has progressed even after taking tamoxifen.

Tamoxifen is used to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic breast cancer), to treat breast cancer in certain patients after surgery and radiation therapy, and to reduce the chances of breast cancer in high-risk patients.

Arimidex and tamoxifen belong to different drug classes. Arimidex is a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor and tamoxifen is a nonsteroidal antiestrogen.

Brand names for tamoxifen include Nolvadex and Soltamox, Nolvadex.

Common side effects of Arimidex include:

• stomach upset,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling),
• constipation,
• headache,
• confusion,
• memory problems,
• loss of balance or coordination,
• blurred vision,
• double vision,
• eye redness,
• lightheadedness,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• drowsiness,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• stuffy nose,
• itching, or
• rash, especially during the first few days as your body adjusts to this medication.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Arimidex including:

• fever,
• chills,
• flu symptoms,
• slow heart rate,
• feeling like you might pass out,
• seizures (convulsions), or
• jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).

Common side effects of Tamoxifen (Soltamox, Nolvadex) include:

• hot flashes
• nausea
• leg cramps
• muscle aches
• hair thinning
• headache bone
• pain joint
• pain
• tumor pain
• swelling in your hands or feet
• vaginal itching or dryness
• changes in menstrual periods
• dizziness depression
• weight loss
• swelling/fluid retention
• loss of sexual ability/interest
•  impotence, or
• difficulty having an orgasm

Arimidex (anastrozole) is a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Arimidex is often given to women whose cancer has progressed even after taking tamoxifen (Tamoxifen (Soltamox, Nolvadex), Soltamox, Nolvadex). Arimidex is available in generic form.

Soltamox (tamoxifen citrate) Oral Solution is a nonsteroidal antiestrogen used to treat some types of breast cancer in men and women. Soltamox is also used to lower a woman's chance of developing breast cancer if she has a high risk (such as a family history of breast cancer).

Arimidex may interact with tamoxifen or an estrogen medication (such as hormone replacement therapy, estrogen creams, or birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings)..

Soltamox may interact with bromocriptine cimetidine clozapine cyclophosphamide isoniazid letrozole methimazole nicardipine pioglitazone rifampin ropinirole ticlopidine tranylcypromine anti-malaria medications antibiotics antidepressants heart rhythm medications HIV or AIDS medicines or medicines to treat psychiatric disorders. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

The dose of Arimidex is one 1 mg tablet taken once a day. For patients with advanced breast cancer, the medication should be continued until tumor progression.

For patients with breast cancer the recommended daily dose of Soltamox is 20-40 mg.