Anastrozole (patient information)
About your treatment
Your doctor has ordered anastrozole to help treat your illness. Anastrozole comes as a tablet to take by mouth.
This medication is used alone or with other treatments such as surgery or radiation to treat:
breast cancer in postmenopausal women (women who no longer get their periods).
Anastrozole is in a class of drugs known as non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors. It decreases the amount of estrogen the body makes. This can slow or stop the growth of many types of breast cancer cells that need estrogen to grow. The length of treatment depends on the types of drugs you are taking, how well your body responds to them, and the type of cancer you have.
Anastrozole is usually taken once a day with or without food. Take anastrozole at around the same time every day.
Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain anything you do not understand. Take anastrozole exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Continue to take anastrozole even if you feel well. Do not stop taking anastrozole without talking to your doctor.
Other uses for this medicine
Anastrozole is also sometimes used to prevent breast cancer in women who are at high risk of developing the disease.Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Precautions
Before taking anastrozole:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to anastrozole or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: medications containing estrogen such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or oral contraceptives (birth control pills); and tamoxifen (Nolvadex). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any medical condition, especially high cholesterol, liver disease, osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones are thin and fragile), abnormal vaginal bleeding, cancer of the uterus (womb), and blood clots.
- Anastrozole should only be taken by women who have undergone menopause and cannot become pregnant. However, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should tell your doctor before you begin taking this drug. You should not plan to have children while receiving chemotherapy or for a while after treatments. Use a reliable method of birth control to prevent pregnancy. Talk to your doctor for further details. Anastrozole may harm the fetus.
- If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking anastrozole.
Side effects
Minor Side Effects
Anastrozole may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- flu-like symptoms
- weakness
- headache
- flushing
- sweating
- nausea
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
- constipation
- diarrhea
- heartburn
- weight gain
- joint, bone, or muscle pain
- mood changes
- depression
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- dizziness
- vaginal bleeding
- vaginal dryness or irritation
- cough
- burning or tingling feeling
- dry mouth
- hair thinning
Severe Side Effects
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- chest pain
- sore throat, fever, chills, swollen glands, and other signs of infection
- difficult, painful, or urgent urination
- blurred vision or vision changes
- pain, swelling, redness, warmth, or tenderness in 1 leg only
- pale skin
- fast heartbeat
- breast pain
- new lumps or masses in the breasts or other parts of the body
- blisters or peeling skin
- rash
- hives
- swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
Anastrozole may cause or worsen osteoporosis. It can decrease the density of your bones and increase the chance of broken bones and fractures. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this medication and to find out what you can do to decrease these risks.
Anastrozole may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this drug.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
Storage conditions
Keep anastrozole in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Special instructions
Keep all appointments with your doctor. Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
Brand names
- Arimidex