Adjuvant (helping) treatments for women with a family or personal history of breast cancer include hormonal therapy with tamoxifen or anastrozole. A report from the online version of Lancet Oncology showed that treatment with Arimidex (anastrozole) seems to have fewer side effects than those with tamoxifen (Nolvadex). Lancet Oncology concluded anastrozole to be "the preferred initial treatment for postmenopausal women with localized hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer." This is a common type of breast cancer that grows with exposure to estrogen and progesterone. Both tamoxifen and anastrozole reduce or stop estrogen and progesterone from spreading cancer cells. A list of the side effects of tamoxifen and Arimidex appears below.
Common Side Effects of Tamoxifen
Common side effects of tamoxifen include hot flashes, irregular menstrual periods and some vaginal discharge. Menstrual periods stop completely in some women. In general, Mayo Clinic staff say the side effects of taking tamoxifen tend to mimic the effects of menopause.
Serious Side Effects of Tamoxifen
Less common side effects from taking tamoxifen include blood clots in your legs and/or lungs. And while recurrence of breast cancer is lessened, there is a slight increase in the risk of getting cancers of the lining of the uterus or uterine muscle as well as the possibility of getting cataracts.
Less Serious Side Effects of Arimidex
Common, less serious side effects of taking Arimidex include hot flashes, joint or back pain, weakness, sore throat and nausea. According to Mayo Clinic staff, patients may also suffer from depression or mood changes.
Serious Side Effects of Arimidex
More serious side effects from taking Arimidex include allergic reactions such as hives, swelling around the face or difficulty breathing. Other serious side effects that need medical attention include sudden numbness, headaches, weakness, confusion, vision or balance problems, or swelling in the hands or feet.
