Most Common Drugs for Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast cancer deaths have been declining since 1990. A partial reason for the rising survival rate is improved treatment options, which includes the use of medications. This article covers three of the most commonly used drugs for breast cancer treatment. Only your doctor can decide if these medications are right for you, or if a different medication will give you a better chance at joining the growing number of breast cancer survivors.

Most Common Drugs for Breast Cancer Treatment: Tamoxifen
Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), meaning it blocks estrogen from interacting with certain cancer cells. Approximately 75% of all breast cancers rely on estrogen for their growth and survival. Tamoxifen is used to slow the growth of these forms of breast cancer tumors, with the hope it will eventually kill the cancer cells. The medication can be used in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Common brand names of tamoxifen include Nolvadex and Soltamox.

Tamoxifen is also used as a preventative in women who are considered high-risk for breast cancer. In a study involving 1,500 high-risk women, the use of tamoxifen reduced the number of breast cancer cases by 44% over a 5-year period.

When treating breast cancer, the common dosage for tamoxifen is between 20 and 40 milligrams per day. When prescribed 40 milligrams, the amount will be split into two doses of 20 milligrams each. In breast cancer prevention, the common dosage is 20 milligrams per day, which is taken for up to 5 years.

Drugstore.com sells 60 20-milligram tablets of Nolvadex for $220.37. Their price for the generic form of tamoxifen is $43.99 for 60 20-milligram tablets.

Tamoxifen should be taken with a full glass of water. You can take the medication with or without food.

Common side effects of tamoxifen include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hot flashes, light menstrual periods, vaginal discharge, vaginal itch, decreased sex drive, weight loss, bone or joint pain, pain in the area of the tumor, depression, weakness, sore throat or cough, headache, dizziness, and thinning hair. These side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medication, but contact your doctor if they are bothersome or disruptive to your daily life.

More serious side effects include signs of stroke (numbness or weakness on one or both sides of the body, headache, confusion, blurred vision, slurred speech, loss of balance), chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, pain or swelling in the legs, unusual vaginal discharge or bleeding, irregular menstrual periods, pelvic pain or pressure, flu-like symptoms, bruising, severe nausea or stomach pain, jaundice, and clay-colored stools. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these side effects.

Tamoxifen can increase your risk of serious health problems, including uterine cancer, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids and polyps, stroke, blood clots in the lungs, and liver damage. The benefits of using tamoxifen may outweigh the medical risks associated with the medication. You should discuss the pros and cons with your doctor to be certain you are comfortable with using the medication.

Tamoxifen may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor about any medications and natural supplements you may be taking, especially if you using aminoglutethimide (Cytadren), blood thinners (such as warfarin), bromocriptine (Parlodel), Phenobarbital, rifadin (Rifampin), or other medications for cancer treatment. Inform your doctor if you are using hormone-based contraceptives, as these will interfere with the medication. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing.

Most Common Drugs for Breast Cancer Treatment: Arimidex
Arimidex is a common brand name for the drug anastrozole. Anastrozole is also used to fight breast cancers that thrive on estrogen. The body uses an enzyme called aromatase to convert a hormone from the adrenal glands into estrogen. Anastrozole is an aromatase inhibitor, meaning it blocks the enzyme, thereby reducing the amount of estrogen in the body. Other common aromatase inhibitors used in breast cancer treatment are letrozole (Femara) and exemestane (Aromasin). In a survey of 200 oncologists, 48% said they prefer to use anastrozole over the other two medications.

Arimidex is used only in postmenopausal women. It is prescribed as a first-line treatment, or as a second-line treatment in cases where the breast cancer has spread after having been treated with tamoxifen. The common dosage in both cases is 1 milligram, taken once per day, for up to 5 years.

Drugstore.com sells 30 1-milligram tablets of Arimidex for $379.89.

Common side effects of Arimidex include hot flashes, joint stiffness, joint or bone pain, back pain, nerve pain, sore throat, mood changes, weakness, nausea, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, rash, water retention, vaginal dryness, hair loss, and trouble sleeping. These side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medication, but contact your doctor if they are bothersome or disruptive to your daily life.

More serious side effects include swollen glands, swelling of the hands or feet, numbness or weakness on one or both sides of the body, headache, confusion, blurred vision, slurred speech, loss of balance, calf pain or swelling, severe bone pain, and vaginal bleeding or unusual discharge. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience these or other worrisome side effects.

Tell your doctor about any medications you may be taking, including other cancer medications, over-the-counter drugs and natural supplements. In the event you are premenopausal and your doctor decides to prescribe Arimidex, be sure to inform your doctor if you are using hormone-based contraceptives, if you are pregnant or possibly may become pregnant, of if you are nursing.

Most Common Drugs for Breast Cancer Treatment: Herceptin
Approximately one in every three cases of breast cancer has a genetic mutation that makes it responsive to the protein human epidermal growth factor receptor-2. This type of cancer is known as HER2-positive and is more aggressive than other forms of breast cancer. The medication Herceptin is designed to block the HER2 protein, causing the breast cancer cells to die. Herceptin is the brand name for the drug trastuzumab.

Herceptin is only available through an IV by your doctor, hospital or cancer treatment center. The amount you are given will depend on several factors that are carefully considered by your doctor. Most IVs take approximately 90 minutes to complete and are repeated every seven days.

Side effects of Herceptin include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, headache or sinus pain, fatigue, joint pain, muscle pain, and back pain. These side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medication, but contact your doctor if they are bothersome or disruptive to your daily life.

Some people will also have side effects to the infusion used for the injection. These side effects include dizziness or light-headedness, nausea, shortness of breath, itch, or weakness. Tell your doctor or the person giving supervising the IV if you experience any of these side effects.

More serious side effects of Herceptin include chest pain or heaviness in the chest, chest pain that spreads to the arm or shoulder, sweating, fast or pounding heartbeats, shortness of breath, rapid weight gain, swelling, cough, wheezing, and flu-like symptoms. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these side effects.

Herceptin has the potential to cause congestive heart failure. Inform your doctor if you have any heart problems, including congestive heart failure, heart disease or have had a heart attack. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you become pregnant during Herceptin treatment.

Be sure your doctor is aware of other medications you are using, especially any other cancer treatment drugs. This is important if you are using doxorubicin or cyclophosphamide, as these can increase your risk of heart related side effects. Tell your doctor about any natural supplements or over-the-counter medications you take.

For more information on the use of Herceptin in treating breast cancer, see the following article here on Associated Content: Individualized HER2 Breast Cancer Treatments