Eloza

Quick links to important sections

Eloza

Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Eloza

Property Description
Active ingredient Anastrozole (INN)
Form Oral tablet (film-coated)
Pharmacological class Non-Steroidal Aromatase Inhibitor
General purpose To reduce circulating estrogen levels
Origin Synthetic chemical compound

What Type of Medicine is Eloza? (Identity & Pharmacological Class)

Eloza is a synthetic, prescription-only pharmaceutical preparation whose active ingredient is Anastrozole (INN). It is classified as a third-generation non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor (NSAI), a distinct type of medicine utilized in targeted hormonal therapy. This classification identifies it as a chemically manufactured substance—specifically a triazole derivative—which acts as a highly selective inhibitor of the aromatase enzyme. Anastrozole is an established and core therapeutic agent.

Composition, Origin, and Pharmaceutical Form (Form & Composition)

The active compound, Anastrozole, is a man-made chemical entity, confirming its synthetic origin. Eloza is specifically manufactured as a film-coated tablet for oral consumption. This design defines its pharmaceutical form as a solid, monotherapy preparation, containing Anastrozole along with necessary solid excipients and binders required for reliable absorption after being taken by mouth. The oral route of administration, distinct from injectable hormonal therapies, positions it as a convenient, long-term therapeutic agent.

General Purpose of Anastrozole's Action (Purpose & Benefit)

The fundamental purpose of Anastrozole's action is to achieve a significant and recognized suppression of estrogen levels throughout the body. The agent accomplishes this by potently and selectively blocking the aromatase enzyme, which is responsible for the conversion of other hormones into estrogen in peripheral tissues. By inhibiting this enzyme, Anastrozole causes a substantial decrease in circulating estrogen levels. This targeted reduction in the body's estrogen supply is the central action that provides the intended therapeutic benefit in managing hormone-sensitive conditions.

Regulatory References

  1. Anastrozole on the WHO Essential Medicines List

What side effects are possible with Eloza?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The possible adverse effects and safety characteristics of Eloza (Anastrozole) are formally classified and documented in official government regulatory information, such as the FDA Prescribing Information and the European Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC).

Adverse Reaction Classification

The regulatory documents categorize side effects by frequency, ranging from Very Common (ge 1/10) to Very Rare (< 1/10,000), and group them by affected body systems. Major system-organ classes involved include Musculoskeletal (e.g., joint stiffness, osteoporosis), Vascular (e.g., hot flushes, hypertension), Nervous, Gastrointestinal, and Metabolism disorders.

Frequency Category Examples of Officially Listed Adverse Reactions
Very Common Hot flushes, arthralgia/joint stiffness, asthenia (weakness/fatigue), nausea, headache.
Common Hypercholesterolaemia, depression, rash, fractures, insomnia, vaginal bleeding.

Serious Adverse Reactions and Constraints

Certain reactions, though rare, are designated as serious due to their clinical importance. Documented serious adverse reactions include severe Cutaneous Reactions (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome), Hypersensitivity Reactions (e.g., Angioedema), and Hepatitis. The label also notes an increased risk of Ischemic cardiovascular events in patients with pre-existing ischemic heart disease.

Population and Duration-Related Safety

  • Premenopausal Women: The medicine is officially contraindicated for use in premenopausal women. Use requires caution in patients with severe hepatic or renal impairment.
  • Long-Term Exposure: Prolonged use is associated with a decrease in bone mineral density (osteoporosis) and a consequent increased risk of fractures. Bone mineral density monitoring is recommended in official safety documentation.

Connection to the overall safety profile:

The official safety information structures the understanding of the medicine's risk profile by providing a quantified and classified list of adverse events, grouped by physiological system. This regulatory structure clearly delineates the most common effects from those that are rare but clinically serious, alongside specific constraints for defined patient groups and patterns related to the duration of treatment.

Overdose and Emergency Response

The official regulatory profile for Eloza (Anastrozole) overdose focuses on procedural management rather than a specific toxicity profile due to limited clinical experience with accidental overdosage. Official regulatory documents indicate that doses far exceeding the typical therapeutic dose—up to 60 mg in a single administration—have been well tolerated in clinical studies, and a single dose resulting in life-threatening symptoms has not been established. Despite this, any suspected substantial overdose requires a patient to seek immediate medical attention for professional intervention.

The approach to managing an Eloza overdose is defined by the fact that no specific antidote is known to reverse its effects. Therefore, medical intervention is focused entirely on providing symptomatic treatment and general supportive care. The official guidance mandates close observation of the patient and frequent monitoring of vital signs until clinical stability is confirmed. As treatment is individualized, supportive measures described in regulatory documents may include actions such as inducing vomiting if the patient is fully alert, and considering dialysis due to the drug’s low protein binding characteristics. Furthermore, clinicians are directed to consider the possibility that multiple agents may have been taken during an overdose scenario.

Therapeutic Uses of Eloza

What Eloza Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Eloza (Anastrozole) is commonly used to help with managing hormone receptor-positive conditions. The therapeutic application is generally restricted to postmenopausal women, where it plays a role in managing three main therapeutic contexts, including treatment following primary interventions for early-stage disease, control of systemic discomfort in advanced or metastatic settings, and pharmacological reduction of disease onset risk in high-risk patients.

Therapeutic Application and Benefit

The medication is relevant in clinical settings for addressing symptoms associated with chronic changes in the adjuvant setting, as well as conditions presenting with systemic discomfort of established tumors. In these situations, the agent may be part of systemic management for conditions involving heightened physiological stress. It supports patients during treatment phases and contributes to managing the progression of the malignant pathology.

The sustained protection may help patients cope more steadily with symptom fluctuations associated with recurrence risk and advanced disease control.

Quick Fact: Relief for Systemic Discomfort

Eloza assists with maintaining functional stability and supports general well-being during symptomatic phases by managing the underlying hormone-driven condition rather than treating general symptoms of physical discomfort or pain.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus Drug Information

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Eloza is a prescription medication, and its use is determined by a healthcare provider based on a patient’s specific condition and medical history. The drug, which contains lansoprazole (a proton pump inhibitor), is primarily used to treat conditions like Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, and erosive esophagitis.


Who Can Use Eloza?

  • Adults diagnosed with acid-related gastrointestinal conditions such as GERD and ulcers.
  • Children (typically ages 1 to 17) for the management of GERD and erosive gastritis, with dosage based on age and weight.

Who Should Not Use Eloza (Contraindications)?

Eloza is not suitable for everyone. It should not be used in the following circumstances:

Condition/Circumstance Rationale for Caution/Avoidance
Allergy/Hypersensitivity Known allergy to lansoprazole or any component of the formulation.
Severe Liver Disease May require dose adjustment; generally avoided in severe cases.
Concomitant HIV Medications Contraindicated with certain HIV medications, such as atazanavir, as Eloza can significantly reduce their effectiveness.
Pregnancy Use is generally advised against unless potential benefit outweighs the risk, as safety is not definitively established.
Breastfeeding Not recommended, as the medication may pass into breast milk.

Patients should also inform their doctor if they have osteoporosis or a history of bone fractures, as prolonged use may increase the risk of bone density loss. A doctor will assess the risk-benefit profile before prescribing the medication.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

The official regulatory documents define the interaction profile of Eloza (Anastrozole) through specific co-administration restrictions and pharmacokinetic classifications, strictly prohibiting combinations that diminish its effectiveness.

Contraindicated and Restricted Combinations

Co-administration with Estrogen-containing therapies is strictly advised against due to documented pharmacodynamic antagonism; these substances counteract the estrogen suppression achieved by Eloza. Use with Tamoxifen is also prohibited, as clinical data demonstrated that the combination resulted in a 27% reduction in the plasma concentration of Anastrozole and offered no added benefit. Caution is generally advised regarding supplements containing estrogenic properties, such as DHEA, which may counteract the drug’s primary action.

Metabolic and Clearance Profile

Anastrozole is formally documented as being unlikely to result in clinically significant interactions mediated by Cytochrome P450 enzymes. Studies show no relevant exposure alteration when co-administered with agents like Warfarin or Cimetidine. While food reduces the rate of absorption (peak concentration is lowered), it does not affect the overall extent of exposure (AUC), and therefore no mandatory timing rules regarding meals are specified.

Population-Specific Notes

For patients with stable hepatic cirrhosis (mild to moderate impairment), a reduction in oral clearance of approximately 30% is observed; however, this change is not considered clinically significant enough by regulators to require a formal dosage adjustment. The drug’s total clearance remains largely unaffected, even in cases of severe renal impairment.

Mechanism of Action

Selective Aromatase Inhibition

Eloza's mechanism is defined by the selective and competitive inhibition of the Aromatase enzyme (CYP19A1). This enzyme is essential in catalyzing the final step in the biosynthesis of estrogens, converting androgen precursors into Estradiol in peripheral tissues like fat and muscle. The drug molecule achieves this by competitively binding to the active site of the enzyme, forming a reversible bond.


Systemic Estrogen Suppression

By effectively neutralizing the peripheral Aromatase enzyme, the drug halts the main non-ovarian source of estrogen, initiating a rapid onset of systemic suppression of circulating Estradiol concentration. This physiological withdrawal of estrogenic stimulation is the principal physiological consequence of the drug's action.


Constraint by Physiological State

The drug's targeted action is predominantly relevant in the postmenopausal state where peripheral Aromatase activity is the dominant source of estrogen. The mechanism is physiologically overridden when endogenous estrogen output is high (ovarian synthesis), as the drug does not block ovarian production.

Dosage and Administration Information

How Eloza is Used: Administration Principles

The administration of Eloza (anastrozole) is governed by uniform, high-level principles. This section details the standardized administration protocols concerning dose, frequency, and duration.

Instruction Detail
Route and Strength Oral administration as a 1 mg film-coated tablet.
Standard Dosing One 1 mg tablet is taken once daily, which represents the standard and maximum dose for all approved indications.
Timing The tablet may be taken with or without food, as food does not impact absorption, and should be consumed at approximately the same time each day.
Missed Dose If a regular dose is missed, it should be skipped entirely. The patient must then take the next dose at the usual scheduled time and not take two doses to compensate.

Duration and Population Considerations

The total course duration for Eloza is contingent upon the specific clinical use context. For the adjuvant treatment of early-stage disease, the regimen typically specifies five years of continuous daily use. For advanced or metastatic disease, administration is continued until documented tumor progression is observed. Eloza may also be used in a sequential regimen following initial use of a different therapy.

No dosage adjustment is required for older adults or for patients with mild-to-moderate renal or hepatic impairment. However, it is recommended that administration proceed with caution in cases of severe kidney or moderate-to-severe liver impairment. Consistent with data limitations, Eloza is not recommended for use in the pediatric population. The medicine is not to be co-administered with tamoxifen or estrogen-containing therapies, as this may diminish its pharmacological action.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research evidence / Overview of studies for Eloza

Evidence for Use in Early-Stage Disease (Adjuvant Treatment)

The primary body of evidence evaluating Eloza (Anastrozole) after initial surgical treatment for early-stage disease comes from large-scale, international Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). These pivotal studies involved thousands of postmenopausal women and systematically evaluated Eloza against another studied hormonal agent (tamoxifen) over a five-year period. Researchers primarily studied outcomes related to Disease-Free Survival (DFS) and monitored overall survival. Findings describe patterns observed in the measured outcomes during the study period, including differences in the rates of disease recurrence and the time elapsed before recurrence between the study arms. Trials reported that Overall Survival measurements were found to be similar between the groups at intermediate follow-up points. Research reports indicate continued monitoring of certain long-term effects was studied, and long-term effects are not fully established beyond ten years.


Evidence for Use in Advanced or Metastatic Disease

Research has also explored the role of Eloza as a treatment for advanced disease. This body of evidence includes RCTs that examined Eloza both as a first-line therapy and as a second-line therapy following the progression of disease after a patient has been treated with tamoxifen. Studies monitored outcomes such as the Time to Progression (TTP) and the Objective Response Rate (ORR). In the first-line advanced setting, trials comparing Eloza to tamoxifen have reported measured differences in the time to progression of the disease; however, the findings were mixed across specific studies. Data for certain subgroups, such as male patients, remain insufficient, and the evidence is derived from studies with shorter follow-up periods.


Evidence for Use in Risk Reduction (Prevention Studies)

The evidence base for using Eloza to study the incidence rate of developing the disease in high-risk patients comes from a large-scale, definitive randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The research primarily examined the incidence of new disease events. The study reported a measured difference in the incidence of new disease events between the Eloza group and the placebo group, with this pattern observed during the five-year treatment and afterward. Data are still emerging regarding the final long-term impact on overall mortality.

Key Studies & References

  1. Arimidex 1mg Film-coated Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (EMA/HPRA)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Eloza (FAQ)


Q: What if I accidentally miss a dose of Eloza?

A: Official administration principles indicate that if a regular dose is missed, the dose should be skipped entirely. The official protocol is to take the next scheduled dose at the usual time, and it is specifically advised not to take two doses at once to make up for the missed one.

Q: Can Eloza be taken with common over-the-counter pain relievers?

A: Official product information notes that the active ingredient is described as being unlikely to result in clinically significant interactions mediated by certain liver enzymes (Cytochrome P450). While specific over-the-counter pain relievers are not listed, this metabolic profile suggests a low potential for interaction.

Q: How quickly should I expect to see an effect from Eloza?

A: In the context of hormone therapy, official descriptions note that the drug initiates a rapid onset of systemic suppression of circulating estrogen levels. This suppression of estrogen levels is described as the central physiological consequence of the drug's action.

Q: Is it common to feel tired when starting Eloza?

A: Yes, regulatory safety documents classify asthenia, a term covering general weakness and fatigue, as a 'Very Common' adverse reaction. This classification indicates it is an effect that is frequently observed in patients using the drug.

Q: Does Eloza have any food restrictions I need to know about?

A: The tablet may be taken with or without food, as this does not affect the overall amount of the medicine absorbed by the body. However, official safety information advises caution regarding certain supplements, especially those with estrogenic properties like DHEA, which regulatory documents indicate may counteract the drug’s primary action.

Q: Does Eloza affect blood pressure or heart rate?

A: Official documentation lists hypertension (high blood pressure) as a common adverse reaction associated with use of the drug. The core safety summaries do not specifically detail common effects on heart rate.

Q: Are there any long-term studies on the safety of Eloza?

A: Yes, the evidence base includes large-scale studies over several years. Research reports indicate that continued monitoring of certain long-term effects was studied and evaluated over a period extending beyond the initial treatment duration.

Q: How does Eloza compare to other similar treatments, generally speaking?

A: In clinical trials for early-stage disease, the drug was systematically evaluated in comparison to another hormonal agent, tamoxifen, over a five-year period. Studies have also evaluated Eloza in comparison to tamoxifen when used as a first-line therapy in the setting of advanced disease.

Q: Is it normal to have mild stomach upset when starting Eloza?

A: Nausea is classified in regulatory documents as a 'Very Common' adverse reaction. The 'Very Common' classification indicates that nausea is one of the more frequently observed adverse reactions reported in patients.

Q: How long does a course of Eloza treatment typically last?

A: For early-stage adjuvant treatment, the official regimen typically specifies five years of continuous daily use. For advanced or metastatic disease, administration is continued until documented tumor progression is observed.

Q: Will taking Eloza make me feel 'different' or 'high'?

A: The regulatory documents list depression and insomnia as common nervous system adverse reactions. No psychoactive effects suggesting a feeling of being 'high' are formally described in the regulatory texts.

Q: Do I need regular blood tests while using Eloza?

A: Official safety documentation recommends that patients receive monitoring of their bone mineral density (BMD). This monitoring is advised because prolonged use is associated with a decrease in BMD and a consequent increased risk of fractures.

Q: Why are people with certain pre-existing conditions advised not to use Eloza?

A: Contraindications are advised for specific reasons, such as to avoid diminished effectiveness (e.g., with Tamoxifen). In severe liver disease, regulatory documents indicate that administration proceeds with caution, as the drug’s processing by the body may be altered.

Q: Does Eloza affect fertility in men or women?

A: The medicine is formally contraindicated for use in premenopausal women. This official constraint is based on the drug's mechanism, which is targeted for the postmenopausal state and is not intended for use in women with active ovarian function.

Q: Does the time of day matter when taking Eloza?

A: Official administration principles state the tablet should be taken at approximately the same time each day. However, regulatory instructions do not mandate a specific time of day, such as morning or evening, for the medicine to be taken.

Q: Can I drive or operate machinery while taking Eloza?

A: Officially documented adverse effects include asthenia (weakness/fatigue) and headache. The official safety information states that if adverse reactions like these occur, caution should be exercised with activities that require mental alertness, such as driving or operating machinery.

Q: Why is it important to tell the doctor about all other medicines before starting Eloza?

A: Regulatory documents state the importance of disclosing all other medicines, as certain therapies are strictly prohibited for co-administration. This is because they can diminish the drug's effectiveness, such as estrogen-containing therapies and tamoxifen, or cause harmful interactions with specific other medicines.

Q: Is Eloza used for prevention or only for existing conditions?

A: The evidence base for this medicine includes a large-scale randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating its use in risk reduction (prevention). Research also supports its use for treating existing conditions.

How should Eloza be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Eloza?

Eloza (Anastrozole) tablets must be stored according to official regulatory requirements to maintain product stability.

Storage Requirements

Condition Regulatory Requirement
Temperature Store at controlled room temperature, typically 20 C to 25 C (68 F to 77 F).
Protection Protect from excess heat and moisture; keep in the original, tightly closed container.
Child Safety Keep out of the reach and sight of children.

Disposal Instructions

Unused or expired Eloza should be disposed of via an authorized drug take-back program. It is strictly advised not to flush the tablets down the toilet or pour them into a drain. If a take-back program is unavailable, follow specific guidelines, such as mixing the product with an undesirable substance and placing it in a sealed container before discarding in the household trash.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

Available in countries:

Equivalent of Eloza found in:

A-Z Index: