Arimidex is an anticancer drug used for breast cancer in post menopausal women. Certain breast cancers are called estrogen receptor cancers. That means the cancer needs estrogen to grow. Arimidex blocks estrogen production in the body so cancer cannot survive. Women are placed on Arimidex after breast cancer treatment that may have included chemotherapy and radiation. This medication is taken daily for five years. The goal is not to have the cancer return. There are side effects of Arimidex. One is elevated cholesterol levels.
Elevated Cholesterol
Arimidex has been reported to show elevated cholesterol levels in the ATAC clinical trial. ATAC stands for Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination. "The Lancet" results were reported in April 2008 and posted on PubMed. This trial looked at side effects women experienced while on treatment. Women on Arimidex were shown to have elevated total cholesterol as compared to women using other treatments. Total cholesterol refers to the cholesterol that circulates in the bloodstream. If higher than 200 mg per deciliter, or mg/dl, fat deposits could occur, causing blocked blood vessels.
LDL Levels
LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein. This component of cholesterol is also referred to as the bad cholesterol. The ATAC trial did not show any differences in these levels as compared to pretreatment levels with women taking Arimidex. If LDL were elevated, people would be at risk for atherosclerosis, also known as hardening of the arteries. When these conditions are left untreated, plaque continues to build up in the arteries leading to elevated blood pressure and narrow passageways inside the blood vessels.
Triglycerides
Triglyceride levels are another important part of the cholesterol levels to monitor. Normal levels are under 150 mg/dl. Most of this component comes from the food you eat. If you do not use all of the calories consumed, the extras are stored as fat. That will result in higher triglyceride levels. This fat can circulate in the blood and clog arteries. The ATAC trial did not show any increase in these levels with women taking Arimidex. If you are taking Arimidex, ensure your cholesterol levels are being montitored.
