Anastrozole is a selective aromatase inhibitor. It is used for the treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Anastrozole is recommended for the formulary as an alternative to progestin therapy in these patients.

Anastrozole is a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor that interferes with estradiol production in peripheral tissues by inhibiting conversion of adrenally-generated androstenedione to estrone by aromatase.

Anastrozole undergoes extensive hepatic metabolism; most of a dose is excreted in the urine (10% unchanged). The elimination half-life in postmenopausal women is approximately 50 hours.

Hypersensitivity to anastrozole

X

Infant risk cannot be ruled out.

Adverse effects of anastrozole are gastrointestinal effects (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea), asthenia, headache, hot flushes, dyspnea, and edema. Thromboembolic phenomena occur in approximately 3% of patients treated.

Adults: 1mg PO QD