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Anastrozole

Anastrozole is the active ingredient in Altraz, a 1 mg tablet that blocks the body’s oestrogen production to treat hormone receptor-positive Breast Cancer in postmenopausal women.

Altraz

Breast Cancer

1mg

Anastrozole tablets for breast cancer. It blocks the aromatase enzyme, cutting off the oestrogen supply that certain tumours depend on.

From$3.92/ tabletView

Key points

  • Anastrozole is used alongside surgery or radiation for early breast cancer, as a first-line treatment for advanced disease, and after tamoxifen has stopped working.
  • It may harm a developing fetus, so it is not suitable for women who can still become pregnant.
  • The medicine can reduce bone density over time, increasing the risk of fractures and worsening existing osteoporosis.

How does anastrozole work?

Anastrozole blocks the aromatase enzyme, which converts androgens (male hormones) into oestrogen in tissues such as fat, muscle and skin. In postmenopausal women, this conversion is the body’s main source of oestrogen, so blocking it cuts the hormone supply that certain breast tumours need to grow. Because anastrozole forms a bond it can undo rather than destroying the enzyme permanently, the effect lifts once the medicine is stopped. Altraz sits in the Oncology Support category on this shelf.

Further reading