Femistra 1 mg contains Anastrozole, a medicine from the class of aromatase inhibitors, used to treat certain types of breast cancer.
It is an oral, once-daily tablet, most commonly prescribed for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women, where it helps reduce the risk of cancer recurrence by lowering estrogen levels.
Femistra has become a mainstay in long-term breast cancer management, offering an effective oral option that patients can take at home.

Anastrozole works by selectively inhibiting the aromatase enzyme, which is responsible for converting androgens (produced by the adrenal glands) into estrogens in peripheral tissues.

• In postmenopausal women, the primary source of estrogen is this peripheral conversion, since the ovaries no longer produce significant estrogen.

• By blocking aromatase, anastrozole drastically reduces circulating estrogen levels.

• This deprives estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer cells of the hormone signals they need to grow and survive, thereby slowing or stopping tumour progression

  Uses / Indications

  Femistra is indicated for:

  • Early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women, typically after surgery (as adjuvant therapy) to reduce the chance of the cancer coming back.

  • Advanced or metastatic breast cancer, either as first-line therapy or after tamoxifen failure.

  • Sometimes used in extended adjuvant settings, for example, after completing 5 years of tamoxifen to further reduce recurrence risk.

    Adverse Effects

    Because anastrozole lowers estrogen levels significantly, many of its side effects are related to the body adjusting to a low-estrogen state.

    Common side effects include:

    • Hot flashes and sweating.

    • Joint and muscle pains (arthralgia, myalgia).

    • Fatigue, mild mood changes.

    • Vaginal dryness.