ARIMIDEX Anastrozole 1mg Tablet 28's

There is limited clinical experience of overdose of Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX). There are no reports where a patient has taken a dose excessing 60 mg. No toxicity was observed and no clinically relevant adverse effects have been seen.
Acute toxicity was seen in animals at a dose greater than 45 mg/kg (equivalent to 2.7 g). Clinical trials have been conducted with various dosages of Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX), up to 60 mg in a single dose given to healthy male volunteers and up to 10 mg daily given to postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer; these dosages were well tolerated. A single dose of Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) that results in life threatening symptoms has not been established.
There is no specific antidote to over dosage and treatment must be symptomatic. In the management of an overdose, consideration should be given to the possibility that multiple agents may have been taken. Vomiting may be induced if the patient is alert. Dialysis may be helpful because Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) is not highly protein bound. General supportive care, including frequent monitoring of vital signs and close observation of the patient, is indicated.

 

 

Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) is contraindicated in pregnant or lactating women.

 

Incompatibilities: Not applicable.
Instructions for use, handling and disposal: No special precautions required.

 

Store at a temperature not exceeding 30°C.

 

Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) is a potent and highly selective non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor. In postmenopausal women, estradiol is produced primarily from the conversion of androstenedione to estrone through the aromatase enzyme complex in peripheral tissues. Estrone is subsequently converted to estradiol. Reducing circulating estradiol levels has been shown to produce a beneficial effect in women with breast cancer.
In postmenopausal women, Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) at a daily dose of 1 mg produced estradiol suppression of greater than 80% using a highly sensitive assay.
Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) does not possess progestogenic, androgenic or estrogenic activity. Daily doses of Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) up to 10 mg do not have any effect on cortisol or aldosterone secretion, measured before or after standard ACTH challenge testing. Corticoid supplements are therefore not needed.
An extensive phase III clinical study programme showed that Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) is an effective treatment of early breast cancer and advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women suitable for endocrine therapy.
Primary adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer: In a large phase III study conducted in 9366 postmenopausal women with operable breast cancer treated for 5 years, Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) was shown to be statistically superior to tamoxifen in disease free survival. A greater magnitude of benefit was observed for disease free survival in favour of Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) versus tamoxifen for the prospectively defined hormone receptor positive population.
Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) was statistically superior to tamoxifen in time to recurrence. The difference was of greater magnitude than in disease free survival for both the Intention-To-Treat (ITT) population and hormone receptor positive population.
Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) was statistically superior to tamoxifen in terms of time to distant recurrence. There was also a numerical trend in favour of Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) for distant disease free survival.
The incidence of contralateral breast cancer was statistically reduced for Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) compared to tamoxifen.
The overall survival benefit of tamoxifen was maintained with Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX). The additional analysis of time to death following recurrence showed a numerical trend in favour of Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) compared to tamoxifen.
Overall, Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) was well tolerated. The following adverse events were reported regardless of causality. Patients receiving Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) had a decrease in hot flushes, vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge, endometrial cancer, venous thromboembolic events and ischemic cerebrovascular events compared with patients receiving tamoxifen. Patients receiving Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) had an increase in joint disorders (including arthritis, arthrosis and arthralgia) and fractures compared with patients receiving tamoxifen. A fracture rate of 22 per 1000 patient years was observed on Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) and 15 per 1000 patient years with the tamoxifen group with a median follow up of 68 months. The fracture rate for Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) falls within the broad range of the fracture rates reported in an age matched postmenopausal population.
The combination of Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) and tamoxifen did not demonstrate any efficacy benefits in comparison with tamoxifen in all patients as well as in the hormone receptor positive population. This treatment arm was discontinued from the study.
Adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer for patients being treated with adjuvant tamoxifen: In a phase III trial (ABCSG 8) conducted in 2579 postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive early breast cancer being treated with adjuvant tamoxifen, patients had a superior disease-free survival when switched to Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) compared with those continuing on tamoxifen.
Time to any recurrence, time to local or distant recurrence and time to distant recurrence confirmed a statistical advantage for Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX), consistent with the results of disease free survival. The incidence of contralateral breast cancer was very low in the two treatment arms, with a numerical advantage for Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX). Overall survival was similar for the two treatment groups.
Two further similar trials (GABG/ARNO 95 and ITA) with Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX), as well as a combined analysis of ABCSG 8 and GABG/ARNO 95, supported these results. The Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) safety profile in these 3 studies was consistent with the known safety profile established in post-menopausal women with hormone-receptor positive early breast cancer.
Study of anastrozole with the bisphosphonate risedronate (SABRE): BMD: In the phase III/IV SABRE study, 234 postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive early breast cancer scheduled for treatment with Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) were stratified to low, moderate and high-risk groups according to their existing risk of fragility fracture. All patients received treatment with vitamin D and calcium. Patients in the low risk group received Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) alone, those in the moderate group were randomised to Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) plus bisphosphonate or Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) plus placebo and those in the high risk group received Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) plus bisphosphonate.
The 12-month main analysis has shown that patients already at moderate to high risk of fragility fracture had their bone health (assessed by bone mineral density and bone formation and resorption markers) successfully managed by using Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) in combination with a bisphosphonate. In addition, no changes in BMD were seen in the low risk group treated with Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) alone and given vitamin D and calcium. These findings were mirrored in the secondary efficacy variable of change from baseline in total hip BMD at 12 months.
This study provides evidence that postmenopausal women with early breast cancer scheduled to be treated with Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) should have their bone status managed according to treatment guidelines already available for postmenopausal women at similar risk of fragility fracture.
Lipids: In the SABRE study there was a neutral effect on plasma lipids both in those patients treated with Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) alone and in those treated with Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) plus a bisphosphonate.
Paediatric: Three clinical trials were conducted in paediatric patients (2 in pubertal boys with gynecomastia and 1 in paediatric girls with McCune Albright Syndrome).
Gynecomastia study: Trial 0006 was a randomized, double-blind, multi-center study, of 80 pubertal boys with gynecomastia of greater than 12 months duration (aged 11-18 years inclusive) treated with Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) 1 mg/day or placebo daily for up to 6 months. A decrease of ≥50% in total breast volume measured by ultrasound was seen in 38.5% (15/39) of the Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) and 31.4% (11/35) of the placebo treated group, (odds ratio = 1.513, 95% CI 0.496 to 4.844, p=0.4687).
Trial 0001 was an open label, multiple-dose pharmacokinetic (PK) study of Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) 1 mg/day in 36 pubertal boys with gynecomastia of less than 12 months duration. A decrease in total breast volume of 50% or greater at 6 months was seen in 55.6% (20/36) of the boys.
McCune Albright Syndrome (MAS) study: Trial 0046 was an international, multi-center, open-label, exploratory trial of Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) in 28 girls (aged 2 to ≤ 10 years) with McCune-Albright Syndrome (MAS). No statistically significant change in the frequency of vaginal bleeding days on treatment was observed. Of the patients with baseline vaginal bleeding, 28% experienced a ≥50% reduction in the frequency of bleeding days on treatment; 40% experienced a cessation over a 6-month period, and 12% experienced a cessation over a 12-month period. There were no clinically significant changes in Tanner staging, mean ovarian volume or mean uterine volume. No statistically significant change in the rate of increase in bone age on treatment compared to the rate during baseline was observed. Growth rate (in cm/year) was significantly reduced (p<0.05) from pre-treatment through month 0 to month 12, and from pre-treatment to the second 6 months (month 7 to month 12).
The overall assessment of the AEs in children less than 18 years of age raised no safety and tolerability concerns.
Pharmacokinetics: Absorption of anastrozole is rapid and maximum plasma concentrations typically occur within two hours of dosing (under fasted conditions). Anastrozole is eliminated slowly with a plasma elimination half-life of 40 to 50 hours. Food slightly decreases the rate but not the extent of absorption. The small change in the rate of absorption is not expected to result in a clinically significant effect on steady-state plasma concentrations during once daily dosing of Anastrozole (ARIMIDEX) tablets. Approximately 90 to 95% of plasma anastrozole steady-state concentrations are attained after 7 daily doses. There is no evidence of time or dose-dependency of anastrozole pharmacokinetic parameters.
Anastrozole pharmacokinetics is independent of age in postmenopausal women.
In boys with pubertal gynecomastia, anastrozole was rapidly absorbed, was widely distributed, and was eliminated slowly with a half-life of approximately 2 days. PK parameters in boys were comparable to those of postmenopausal women. Clearance of anastrozole was lower in girls than in boys and exposure higher. Anastrozole in girls was widely distributed and slowly eliminated, with an estimated half-life of approximately 0.8 days.
Anastrozole is only 40% bound to plasma proteins.
Anastrozole is extensively metabolised by postmenopausal women with less than 10% of the dose excreted in the urine unchanged within 72 hours of dosing. Metabolism of anastrozole occurs by N-dealkylation, hydroxylation and glucuronidation. The metabolites are excreted primarily via the urine. Triazole, a major metabolite in plasma and urine, does not inhibit aromatase.
The apparent oral clearance of anastrozole in volunteers with stable hepatic cirrhosis or renal impairment was in the range observed in healthy volunteers.
Toxicology: Preclinical safety data: Acute toxicity: In acute toxicity studies in rodents the median lethal dose of anastrozole was greater than 100 mg/kg by the oral route and greater than 50 mg/kg by the intraperitoneal route. In an oral acute toxicity study in the dog the median lethal dose was greater than 45 mg/kg.
Chronic toxicity: Multiple dose toxicity studies utilised rats and dogs. No no-effect levels were established for anastrozole in the toxicity studies, but those effects that were observed at the low dose (1 mg/kg/day) and mid doses (dog 3 mg/kg/day; rat 5 mg/kg/day) were related to either the pharmacological or enzyme inducing properties of anastrozole, and were unaccompanied by significant toxic or degenerative changes.
Mutagenicity: Genetic toxicology studies with anastrozole show that it is not a mutagen or a clastogen. Reproductive toxicology: Oral administration of anastrozole to pregnant rats and rabbits caused no teratogenic effects at doses up to 1.0 and 0.2 mg/kg/day respectively. Those effects that were seen (placental enlargement in rats and pregnancy failure in rabbits) were related to the pharmacology of the compound.
Oral administration of anastrozole to female rats produced a high incidence of infertility at 1 mg/kg/day and increased pre-implantation loss at 0.02 mg/kg/day. These effects were related to the pharmacology of the compound and were completely reversed after a 5-week compound withdrawal period.
The survival of litters born to rats given anastrozole at 0.02 mg/kg/day and above (from day 17 of pregnancy to day 22 post-partum) was compromised. These effects were related to the pharmacological effects of the compound on parturition. There were no adverse effects on behaviour or reproductive performance of the first generation offspring attributable to maternal treatment with anastrozole.
Carcinogenicity: A two-year rat oncogenicity study resulted in an increase in incidence of hepatic neoplasms and uterine stromal polyps in females and thyroid adenomas in males at the high dose (25 mg/kg/day) only. These changes occurred at a dose, which represents 100-fold greater exposure than occurs at human therapeutic doses, and are considered not to be clinically relevant to the treatment of patients with anastrozole.
A two-year mouse oncogenicity study resulted in the induction of benign ovarian tumours and a disturbance in the incidence of lymphoreticular neoplasms (fewer histiocytic sarcomas in females and more deaths as a result of lymphomas). These changes are considered to be mouse-specific effects of aromatase inhibition and not clinically relevant to the treatment of patients with anastrozole.