Anazole is a non-steroidal drug which is used to treat breast cancer. It has been thoroughly studied in women with breast cancer between the 5th-8th decades of life. Anazole contains an active ingredient Anastrozole. 

There are some breast cancers which are dependent on estrogen for their growth. Anazole acts by suppressing the levels of estrogen in the body and thus reduces the growth of breast cancer. The drug is first line treatment in post-menopausal women with early breast cancer or in those with advanced breast cancer despite taking Tamoxifen. Anazole is often combined with other drugs to treat breast cancer in post-menopausal women. The drug has been used to treat early or advanced breast cancer in women all cultures and races.

Anastrozole has three general indications: Is recommended for the treatment of post-menopausal women who have early breast cancer which is hormone sensitive (estrogen positive); Anastrozole also indicated as the first line treatment of post-menopausal females who have spread of breast cancer either locally or systemically, irrespective of the hormonal status of the breast cancer; Anastrozole also indicated in the treatment of advanced breast cancer in post-menopausal women who have further growth of breast cancer following treatment with Tamoxifen. Women who do not have estrogen receptor positive breast cancer and those who do not show any response to Tamoxifen generally do not respond to Anastrozole.

Anazole has been studied quite well in the laboratory for its side effects. Further, its side effects in humans have been well recorded in a number of clinical trials. From these clinical studies, it is estimated that at least 5% of individuals who do take Anazole develop a variety of side effects in varying range of severity. The most common side effects of the drug include: fatigue and general malaise, vague body pains, headache abdominal cramps and bloating, flu-like syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, gastric upset, swelling of the legs, weight gain, high cholesterol levels, vague muscle and joint pains, softening of bone (osteoporosis), fractures and bone pain. Mood changes, depression, lack of sleep, anxiety, skin rash, hot flashes, vaginal bleeding, cots in the legs, cancer of the uterus.

Besides general tiredness, the next most common complain of patients who take Anastrozole is joint and bony pain. Infact fractures of spine, hip and wrist are all increased in patients who take Anazole for long periods. Despite the wide range of side effects, Anazole is generally well tolerated by the majority of women.