Re: Aromatase Inhibitors Side Effects Reported......... -

[Guest guest]

Hi - How long did it take for the A.I. side effects to

dissipate when you switched over to Tamoxifin??? I've only changed

over 10 days ago so I know it's too soon, but any idea when, if you

can remember, you fealt better??

Thanks,

Ellen

>

> Thank you nne....I'm going to make a copy of it next month

when my Mom

> and I are moved into our new house and my stuff is out of

storage...then,

> I'll send it to my FORMER ONCOLOGIST who tried to tell me that my

side

> effects were not due to the A.I.'s that he put me on!!! LOL!!!!!

I'm now

> happily on Tamoxifen. I do have hot flashes but that is SO MUCH

BETTER than

> the joint pain and lack of energy I had on the A.I.'s!!!

>

> Hugs,

>

>

> Aromatase Inhibitors Side Effects

Reported.........

>

>

> Aromatase inhibitors: side effects reported by 622 women.

> Salgado BA, Zivian MT.. Breast Cancer Action, San Francisco, CA

> http://www.bcaction.org/PDF/AIReport.pdf for complete survey results

>

> Background: Aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole, letrozole, and

exemestane)

> are quickly becoming one of the most commonly prescribed breast

cancer

> treatments for postmenopausal women with breast cancer. Because

these drugs

> have only been approved for use recently, and two of the three

aromatase

> inhibitors moved quickly into the treatment setting due to FDA

Priority

> Review or Accelerated Approval status, little is known about their

short and

> long-term side effects. Previous trials of aromatase inhibitors

have

> reported some adverse effects. The purpose of this survey is to

collect

> information from patients on the side effects of aromatase

inhibitors.

>

> Methods: An Aromatase Inhibitor Side Effects Survey (AI Survey) was

posted

> to the Breast Cancer Action web site in August 2005. Additionally,

other

> breast cancer and womens health organizations announced the AI

survey

> through newsletters, emails and web site links. Despite the

limitations and

> biases that self-reporting introduces, patient-derived data on

treatment

> side effects are clinically meaningful for both doctors and

patients. The

> survey included demographic questions, questions concerning the

aromatase

> inhibitor prescribed, and questions regarding medical condition.

These were

> followed by a list of 38 side effects that respondents rated for

severity.

> The surveys side effects list was compiled from side effects listed

on the

> FDA labels for aromatase inhibitors. Respondents were also asked if

they had

> experienced any unlisted side effects. Over 600 completed surveys

were

> received and included in the data set. Data were analyzed using

SPSS

> (Version 14.0 for Windows).

>

> Results: The distribution of the survey respondents from the United

States

> reflects the expected distribution based on of the incidence of

breast

> cancer throughout the country (p < .01). Among the women who

discontinued

> using an AI, exemestane was taken for a significantly shorter

period of time

> (8 months) than either letrozole (15 months) or anastrazole (29

months) (p =

> .002). Over 60% of the respondents reported experiencing stroke and

cough.

> Over 50% reported swelling of limbs, and flu-like symptoms. Women

30-39

> years-old gave the highest severity ratings to stroke; women 50-59

years-old

> women gave highest severity ratings to cough (p < .000). In

addition to

> reporting on the side effects listed in the survey, respondents

reported

> experiencing over 35 additional side effects.

>

> Discussion: Recent advances have led to the development of

aromatase

> inhibitors for adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal breast cancer

patients.

> However, many patients are experiencing adverse effects which can

be

> disabling and may lead to cessation of therapy. Patients and

doctors should

> discuss possible side effects before beginning treatment with

aromatase

> inhibitors so that patients are able to make fully informed

decisions. The

> side effects information from this survey will also assist doctors

with

> patient management for those currently taking aromatase inhibitors.

>

> From BCAction

> About Aromatase Inhibitors

> Aromatase inhibitors are a type of hormone therapy for

postmenopausal women

> with breast cancer. AIs prevent the aromatase enzyme from

converting the

> hormone androgen into estrogen. Produced by the adrenal gland and

found

> throughout the body, androgen is the principal source of estrogen

for

> postmenopausal women. AIs have only been approved for use by

postmenopausal

> women. They are ineffective in premenopausal women whose ovaries

are still

> producing estrogen (which is not affected by the aromatase enzyme).

None of

> these drugs has been approved by the FDA for use by healthy women

at high

> risk of developing breast cancer.

> Three AIs are currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of

breast

> cancer in postmenopausal women: anastrozole (Arimidex), exemestane

> (Aromasin), and letrozole (Femara). Anastrozole and letrozole are

both

> nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors. Th ey are described as

reversible because

> they bind reversibly to the aromatase enzyme.

> Exemestane is a steroidal inhibitor that forms an irreversible bond

with the

> aromatase enzyme, permanently stopping the activity of the enzyme.

>

> Anastrozole (Arimidex)

> Arimidex is indicated for adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal

women with

> hormone-receptor-positive early breast cancer.

> Arimidex is indicated for the fi rst-line treatment of

postmenopausal women

> with hormone-receptor-positive or hormone-receptor-unknown locally

advanced

> or metastatic breast cancer.

> Arimidex is indicated for the treatment of advanced breast cancer

in

> postmenopausal women with disease progression following tamoxifen

therapy.

> Exemestane (Aromasin)

> Aromasin is indicated for adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal

women with

> estrogen-receptor-positive early breast cancer who have received

two to

> three years of tamoxifen and are switched to Aromasin for

completion of a

> total of fi ve consecutive years of adjuvant hormonal therapy.

> Aromasin is indicated for the treatment of advanced breast cancer

in

> postmenopausal women whose disease has progressed following

tamoxifen

> therapy.

> Letrozole (Femara)

> Femara is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal

women with

> hormone-receptor-positive early breast cancer.

> Femara is indicated for the extended adjuvant treatment of early

breast

> cancer in postmenopausal women who have received fi ve years of

adjuvant

> tamoxifen therapy.

> Femara is indicated for fi rst-line treatment of postmenopausal

women with

> hormone-receptor-positive or hormone-receptor-unknown locally

advanced or

> metastatic breast cancer.

> Femara is also indicated for the treatment of advanced breast

cancer in

> postmenopausal women with disease progression following anti-

estrogen

> therapy.

> Summary of Findings

> The first 612 completed surveys received were analyzed for this

report.

> Major findings include:

> 1. Most respondents (96%) reported one or more side effects.

> 2. The side effects reported by over 50% of respondents were:

stroke (65%),

> cough (64%), swelling of the arms and legs (59%), fl u-like

symptoms (58%),

> and anxiety (51%).

> 3. Many women reported side effects in addition to those on our

list,

> including joint-related side effects, vaginal atrophy and dryness,

a rise in

> cholesterol levels, and general pain.

> 4. Over 50% of respondents stated that their menopause was not

naturally

> occurring. For these women, menopause was either pharmaceutically

or

> surgically induced.

> 5. Ten women (1.6%) reported that they discontinued using an AI

because of

> subsequent menstruation or vaginal bleeding.

> 6. About 30% of the respondents discontinued the use of an AI­84%

because of

> side effects they were experiencing, and close to half of them

(47%)

> specifically because of joint-related side effects.

> 7. Over one-third (37%) of respondents reported receiving no

information

> from their doctors about short-term side effects; nearly two-thirds

(63%)

> reported receiving no information from their doctors about long-

term side

> effects.

>

> Recommendations

> 1. Conduct additional research on short-term and long-term side

effects of

> AIs.

> 2. Provide the results of this research to doctors and patients.

> 3. Use caution when prescribing AIs to perimenopausal women, as

well as to

> premenopausal women who have been rendered menopausal by

chemotherapy or

> ovarian function suppression.

>

> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

> BCO News is brought to you by BREAST CANCER OPTIONS, a grassroots

> organization focusing on Health Advocacy, Support and Education.

The

> information is intended for educational purposes only, in order to

help you

> make informed health choices and may not have been touched upon by

your

> doctors. We are not doctors and we do not recommend any particular

> treatments. We are sending this information to advise you of the

complete

> scientific overview that is currently available, although we may

not

> necessarily endorse it. http://www.breastcanceroptions.org

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

yikes now i know why i feel so crappy on the arimidex ugh, cough , cough.

Ellen emc_mom4@...> wrote: Hi - How long did it take for the A.I.

side effects to

dissipate when you switched over to Tamoxifin??? I've only changed

over 10 days ago so I know it's too soon, but any idea when, if you

can remember, you fealt better??

Thanks,

Ellen

>

> Thank you nne....I'm going to make a copy of it next month

when my Mom

> and I are moved into our new house and my stuff is out of

storage...then,

> I'll send it to my FORMER ONCOLOGIST who tried to tell me that my

side

> effects were not due to the A.I.'s that he put me on!!! LOL!!!!!

I'm now

> happily on Tamoxifen. I do have hot flashes but that is SO MUCH

BETTER than

> the joint pain and lack of energy I had on the A.I.'s!!!

>

> Hugs,

>

>

> Aromatase Inhibitors Side Effects

Reported.........

>

>

> Aromatase inhibitors: side effects reported by 622 women.

> Salgado BA, Zivian MT.. Breast Cancer Action, San Francisco, CA

> http://www.bcaction.org/PDF/AIReport.pdf for complete survey results

>

> Background: Aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole, letrozole, and

exemestane)

> are quickly becoming one of the most commonly prescribed breast

cancer

> treatments for postmenopausal women with breast cancer. Because

these drugs

> have only been approved for use recently, and two of the three

aromatase

> inhibitors moved quickly into the treatment setting due to FDA

Priority

> Review or Accelerated Approval status, little is known about their

short and

> long-term side effects. Previous trials of aromatase inhibitors

have

> reported some adverse effects. The purpose of this survey is to

collect

> information from patients on the side effects of aromatase

inhibitors.

>

> Methods: An Aromatase Inhibitor Side Effects Survey (AI Survey) was

posted

> to the Breast Cancer Action web site in August 2005. Additionally,

other

> breast cancer and womens health organizations announced the AI

survey

> through newsletters, emails and web site links. Despite the

limitations and

> biases that self-reporting introduces, patient-derived data on

treatment

> side effects are clinically meaningful for both doctors and

patients. The

> survey included demographic questions, questions concerning the

aromatase

> inhibitor prescribed, and questions regarding medical condition.

These were

> followed by a list of 38 side effects that respondents rated for

severity.

> The surveys side effects list was compiled from side effects listed

on the

> FDA labels for aromatase inhibitors. Respondents were also asked if

they had

> experienced any unlisted side effects. Over 600 completed surveys

were

> received and included in the data set. Data were analyzed using

SPSS

> (Version 14.0 for Windows).

>

> Results: The distribution of the survey respondents from the United

States

> reflects the expected distribution based on of the incidence of

breast

> cancer throughout the country (p < .01). Among the women who

discontinued

> using an AI, exemestane was taken for a significantly shorter

period of time

> (8 months) than either letrozole (15 months) or anastrazole (29

months) (p =

> .002). Over 60% of the respondents reported experiencing stroke and

cough.

> Over 50% reported swelling of limbs, and flu-like symptoms. Women

30-39

> years-old gave the highest severity ratings to stroke; women 50-59

years-old

> women gave highest severity ratings to cough (p < .000). In

addition to

> reporting on the side effects listed in the survey, respondents

reported

> experiencing over 35 additional side effects.

>

> Discussion: Recent advances have led to the development of

aromatase

> inhibitors for adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal breast cancer

patients.

> However, many patients are experiencing adverse effects which can

be

> disabling and may lead to cessation of therapy. Patients and

doctors should

> discuss possible side effects before beginning treatment with

aromatase

> inhibitors so that patients are able to make fully informed

decisions. The

> side effects information from this survey will also assist doctors

with

> patient management for those currently taking aromatase inhibitors.

>

> From BCAction

> About Aromatase Inhibitors

> Aromatase inhibitors are a type of hormone therapy for

postmenopausal women

> with breast cancer. AIs prevent the aromatase enzyme from

converting the

> hormone androgen into estrogen. Produced by the adrenal gland and

found

> throughout the body, androgen is the principal source of estrogen

for

> postmenopausal women. AIs have only been approved for use by

postmenopausal

> women. They are ineffective in premenopausal women whose ovaries

are still

> producing estrogen (which is not affected by the aromatase enzyme).

None of

> these drugs has been approved by the FDA for use by healthy women

at high

> risk of developing breast cancer.

> Three AIs are currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of

breast

> cancer in postmenopausal women: anastrozole (Arimidex), exemestane

> (Aromasin), and letrozole (Femara). Anastrozole and letrozole are

both

> nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors. Th ey are described as

reversible because

> they bind reversibly to the aromatase enzyme.

> Exemestane is a steroidal inhibitor that forms an irreversible bond

with the

> aromatase enzyme, permanently stopping the activity of the enzyme.

>

> Anastrozole (Arimidex)

> Arimidex is indicated for adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal

women with

> hormone-receptor-positive early breast cancer.

> Arimidex is indicated for the fi rst-line treatment of

postmenopausal women

> with hormone-receptor-positive or hormone-receptor-unknown locally

advanced

> or metastatic breast cancer.

> Arimidex is indicated for the treatment of advanced breast cancer

in

> postmenopausal women with disease progression following tamoxifen

therapy.

> Exemestane (Aromasin)

> Aromasin is indicated for adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal

women with

> estrogen-receptor-positive early breast cancer who have received

two to

> three years of tamoxifen and are switched to Aromasin for

completion of a

> total of fi ve consecutive years of adjuvant hormonal therapy.

> Aromasin is indicated for the treatment of advanced breast cancer

in

> postmenopausal women whose disease has progressed following

tamoxifen

> therapy.

> Letrozole (Femara)

> Femara is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal

women with

> hormone-receptor-positive early breast cancer.

> Femara is indicated for the extended adjuvant treatment of early

breast

> cancer in postmenopausal women who have received fi ve years of

adjuvant

> tamoxifen therapy.

> Femara is indicated for fi rst-line treatment of postmenopausal

women with

> hormone-receptor-positive or hormone-receptor-unknown locally

advanced or

> metastatic breast cancer.

> Femara is also indicated for the treatment of advanced breast

cancer in

> postmenopausal women with disease progression following anti-

estrogen

> therapy.

> Summary of Findings

> The first 612 completed surveys received were analyzed for this

report.

> Major findings include:

> 1. Most respondents (96%) reported one or more side effects.

> 2. The side effects reported by over 50% of respondents were:

stroke (65%),

> cough (64%), swelling of the arms and legs (59%), fl u-like

symptoms (58%),

> and anxiety (51%).

> 3. Many women reported side effects in addition to those on our

list,

> including joint-related side effects, vaginal atrophy and dryness,

a rise in

> cholesterol levels, and general pain.

> 4. Over 50% of respondents stated that their menopause was not

naturally

> occurring. For these women, menopause was either pharmaceutically

or

> surgically induced.

> 5. Ten women (1.6%) reported that they discontinued using an AI

because of

> subsequent menstruation or vaginal bleeding.

> 6. About 30% of the respondents discontinued the use of an AI­84%

because of

> side effects they were experiencing, and close to half of them

(47%)

> specifically because of joint-related side effects.

> 7. Over one-third (37%) of respondents reported receiving no

information

> from their doctors about short-term side effects; nearly two-thirds

(63%)

> reported receiving no information from their doctors about long-

term side

> effects.

>

> Recommendations

> 1. Conduct additional research on short-term and long-term side

effects of

> AIs.

> 2. Provide the results of this research to doctors and patients.

> 3. Use caution when prescribing AIs to perimenopausal women, as

well as to

> premenopausal women who have been rendered menopausal by

chemotherapy or

> ovarian function suppression.

>

> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

> BCO News is brought to you by BREAST CANCER OPTIONS, a grassroots

> organization focusing on Health Advocacy, Support and Education.

The

> information is intended for educational purposes only, in order to

help you

> make informed health choices and may not have been touched upon by

your

> doctors. We are not doctors and we do not recommend any particular

> treatments. We are sending this information to advise you of the

complete

> scientific overview that is currently available, although we may

not

> necessarily endorse it. http://www.breastcanceroptions.org

>

>

>

>

>

>