anastrozole

Generic Name: anastrozole (an AS troe zole)

Brand Names: Arimidex

What is anastrozole?

Anastrozole lowers estrogen levels in postmenopausal women, which may slow the growth of certain types of breast tumors that need estrogen to grow in the body.

Anastrozole is used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It is often given to women whose cancer has progressed even after taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex, Soltamox).

Anastrozole may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about anastrozole?

Do not use anastrozole if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.

You may need to take a pregnancy test before using anastrozole, to make sure you are not pregnant.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to anastrozole, if you are breast-feeding a baby, or if you have not yet completed menopause. Anastrozole is not for use in men or children.

Before using anastrozole, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, circulation problems, a history of stroke or blood clot, severe liver disease, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, or low bone mineral density.

Anastrozole may not work as well if you take it together with tamoxifen or an estrogen medication (such as hormone replacement therapy, estrogen creams, or birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings). Before you start taking anastrozole, tell your doctor if you also take tamoxifen or estrogen.

You may need to keep taking anastrozole for up to 5 years. Follow your doctor's instructions.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking anastrozole?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to anastrozole, if you are breast-feeding a baby, or if you have not yet completed menopause. Anastrozole is not for use in men or children.

To make sure you can safely take anastrozole, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

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  heart disease;

  
  


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  circulation problems;

  
  


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  a history of stroke or blood clot;

  
  


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  severe liver disease;

  
  


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  high cholesterol; or

  
  


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  osteoporosis or low bone mineral density.

  
  

Anastrozole can decrease bone mineral density, which may increase your risk of developing osteoporosis. Your bone mineral density may need to be tested before and during treatment with anastrozole. FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use anastrozole if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether anastrozole passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using anastrozole.

You may need to take a pregnancy test before using anastrozole, to make sure you are not pregnant.

How should I take anastrozole?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Anastrozole is usually taken once per day. You may need to keep taking this medication for up to 5 years. Follow your doctor's instructions.

You may take anastrozole with or without food.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Anastrozole dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking anastrozole?

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Anastrozole side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

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  sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;

  
  


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  sudden severe headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

  
  


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  a bone fracture;

  
  


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  swollen glands;

  
  


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  feeling short of breath;

  
  


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  nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

  
  


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  swelling in your hands or feet; or

  
  


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  severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

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  numbness, tingling, cold feeling, or weakness in your hand or wrist;

  
  


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  problems with your fingers while gripping;

  
  


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  hot flashes;

  
  


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  joint pain or stiffness;

  
  


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  depression, mood changes, sleep problems (insomnia);

  
  


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  cough, sore throat;

  
  


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  thinning hair;

  
  


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  mild nausea, vomiting; or

  
  


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  back pain, bone pain.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Anastrozole Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Breast Cancer:

For the first-line treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive or hormone receptor unknown locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer: 1 mg tablet once a day.

Treatment should continue until tumor progression is evident.

What other drugs will affect anastrozole?

Anastrozole may not work as well if you take it together with tamoxifen or an estrogen medication (such as hormone replacement therapy, estrogen creams, or birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings). Before you start taking anastrozole, tell your doctor if you also take tamoxifen or estrogen.

There may be other drugs that can interact with anastrozole. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More anastrozole resources

• Anastrozole Side Effects (in more detail)
• Anastrozole Dosage
• Anastrozole Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Anastrozole Drug Interactions
• Anastrozole Support Group
• 17 Reviews for Anastrozole - Add your own review/rating

• anastrozole Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Anastrozole Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Anastrozole Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Anastrozole Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Anastrozole MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Arimidex Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Arimidex Consumer Overview

Compare anastrozole with other medications

• Breast Cancer
• Breast Cancer, Metastatic
• McCune-Albright Syndrome
• Pubertal Gynecomastia

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about anastrozole.

See also: anastrozole side effects (in more detail)