femara vs anastrozole

I am a breast cancer survivor of 3 yrs. (lumpectomy ER postive). My Oncologist initially suggested Femara and I some side effects, weight gain being the worst. After the cost of the Femara got unacceptable he suggested I try Anastrozole. I have tried this for the past 30 days and am gaining even more than initial weight gain I experienced with the Femara. So I begain researching to see theeffectiveness of the two drugs.I have found numerous articles that the Femara is much more effective in the estrogen inhibitor factors than the Anastrolzole. Can anyone give me more info to support this?
TX Renee' 8710

[zouzi]

Hi,
My Surgeon told me that Femara is just as successful as Arimidex (Anastrazole) in keeping the cancer from returning.
I changed from Arimidex to Femara and I was told that the estrogen reducing effects are the same and that there are no real good studies comparing the effectiveness of these two drugs.Personally I find that Femara is a little more tolerable.
I have gained some weight too with both drugs ...diet and exercise is helpful,but not as much as I would like.
The biggest question for a woman is which drug to take.
Arimidex and Femara both raise the risk of osteoporosis, bone fracture,and heart problem.
The bottom line is that the best cancer drug for one woman isn't the best for another. Women with breast cancer and their doctors have to choose and find out what's best for them.
Best wishes and good luck...