What are the differences between exemestane and anastrozole?
Both exemestane (Aromasin) and anastrozole (Arimidex) are aromatase inhibitors used to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in people who have gone through menopause. They work by blocking estrogen production in your body, which helps stop or slow the Show Full Answer
What are the differences between exemestane and anastrozole?
Both exemestane (Aromasin) and anastrozole (Arimidex) are aromatase inhibitors used to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in people who have gone through menopause. They work by blocking estrogen production in your body, which helps stop or slow the growth of cancer cells fueled by estrogen.
While both medications serve the same purpose, they work slightly differently. Anastrozole is a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor, while exemestane is a steroidal one. This means they block the aromatase enzyme in different ways, though both can lower estrogen levels by about 95 percent.
The main considerations when choosing between them include:
- Effectiveness: Both are FDA-approved and effective for treating breast cancer
- Side effects: Common side effects include hot flashes, night sweats, joint pain, and bone loss, though individual experiences vary
- Tolerability: Some people may tolerate one better than the other based on their specific side effects
Your oncologist can help determine which medication is best for your situation based on your treatment goals, medical history, and how you respond to the medication. If you experience significant side effects with one, switching to the other might be an option worth discussing.
November 5, 2025
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