INTRODUCTION

FEMITRAZ 1MG contains Anastrozole which belongs to a group of medicines called aromatase inhibitors which is used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Oestrogens, the female sex hormones stimulate the growth of breast cancer. This medicine works by blocking an enzyme aromatase which is responsible for the production of oestrogens and thus reduces the amount of oestrogen in the body. This in turn blocks the growth of breast cancer that needs oestrogens to grow thus slowing or stopping growth and spreading of cancer cells to other parts of body. It is also used in preventing spreading of tumour to the other parts of body in patients with advanced breast cancer.

This medicine is not suitable for women with breast cancer who have not finished menopause (premenopausal women). It is not recommended for children and adolescents. Before taking this medicine, inform your doctor if you are still having menstrual periods or having any liver or kidney problems. FEMITRAZ 1MG may cause osteoporosis (thinning your bones) due to the reduced amount of oestrogens in your body. Your bone density will be measured by your doctor before, during or after treatment. Anastrozole is also useful as adjuvant therapy in early ER+ive breast cancer as well as for palliation of advanced cases in postmenopausal women. It is a selective nonsteroidal inhibitor of aromatase (the enzyme required for estrogen synthesis).

USES OF FEMITRAZ 1MG

• Treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women

HOW FEMITRAZ 1MG WORKS

FEMITRAZ 1MG works by blocking an enzyme aromatase which is responsible for the production of oestrogens thus reducing the amount of oestrogen. This in turn blocks the growth of breast cancer and spreading of cancer cells to other parts of body. It binds competitively and specifically to the heme of the CYP19.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take this medicine according to the dose and frequency as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break the medicine. The recommended dose is one tablet a day. It can be taken with or without food.

SIDE EFFECTS OF FEMITRAZ 1MG

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Nausea:

Stick to simple normal meals and do not eat rich or spicy foods.

Vomiting:

Drink clear or ice-cold drinks. Eat light, bland foods and avoid fried, greasy, or sweet foods.

Diarrhoea:

Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. ORS should be used to prevent dehydration.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

INTERACTIONS

Inform your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription or the following:

• tamoxifen
• medicines containing estrogen
• GnRH agonists

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

Store below 20-25°C and keep out of reach of children.

FAQs ABOUT FEMITRAZ 1MG

Does FEMITRAZ 1MG cause weight gain?

Weight gain may occur because aromatase inhibitors counteract the effects of estrogen. With less estrogen in the body lipoprotein lipase can pull fat into fat cells and store it there.

Is FEMITRAZ 1MG an estrogen blocker?

Yes. It is an aromatase inhibitor, an anti-cancer medication used to treat breast cancer in post-menopausal women.

How long can use FEMITRAZ 1MG?

It depends on your condition as directed by your physician. Consult your physician for advice.

REFERENCES

1. KD Tripathi MD. Estrogens, Progestins and Contraceptives. Essentials of Medical Pharmacology 7th ed. New Delhi, May 2013. Page – 315-316.

2. George P. Chrousos. The Gonadal Hormones & Inhibitors, Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, Fourteenth Edition, 2015. Page –739.

3. Moy B, Lee RJ, Smith M. Natural Products in Cancer Chemotherapy: Hormones and Related Agents. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical, 2011. Page – 1761-62.

4. Adherence to Initial Adjuvant Anastrozole Therapy among Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology. Feb 1 2008, Vol-26, No 4. [Accessed 27 Oct 2020] https://ascopubs.org/doi/pdfdirect/10.1200/jco.2007.11.5451

5. Astra Zeneca group of companies (EMC); [Revised on Feb 2020] [Accessed 27 Oct 2020] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.2199.pdf

6. Astra Zeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Wilmington, 1995 U.S. Food & Drug Administration; [Revised on Oct 20, 2010] [Accessed 27 Oct 2020] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/020541s026lbl.pdf