There are highlights for anastrozole.

  1. Anastrozole oral tablet is available as a generic drug and as a brand-name drug. Brand name: Arimidex.
  2. Anastrozole is only available as a pill.
  3. Anastrozole is used to treat breast cancer. It is given to women who have gone through a menopause.

  • Heart disease warning: If you have early breast cancer and a history of blockage in your heart arteries, anastrozole may cause low blood flow to your heart. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms, which may include:
    • The breath was very thin.
    • Swelling in your feet and legs.
    • The chest pain is getting worse.
  • Low The density of the bones. risk: Anastrozole can decrease The density of the bones. in your lower spine and hips. Your doctor will monitor your bone mineral density while you’re taking this drug.
  • Cholesterol warning: Anastrozole may cause your The levels of cholesterol. to rise. Higher The levels of cholesterol. put you at increased risk of heart disease.
  • Embryo-fetal toxicity warning: Anastrozole may cause harm to the developing fetus and may lead to pregnancy loss. If you can become pregnant, you’ll need to use effective birth control while taking anastrozole and continue to do so for at least 3 weeks after taking your last dose of the drug.

Anastrozole is a prescription drug. It is available as a pill.

Anastrozole oral tablet is available as the brand-name drug Arimidex and as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less. In some cases, they may not be available in the same strengths or dosage forms as the brand-name version.

This drug can be used to treat breast cancer.

Anastrozole shouldn’t be used in women who haven’t gone through menopause. If you become pregnant while taking anastrozole, stop taking anastrozole right away.

Why it’s used

Anastrozole is used to treat breast cancer. Only women who have gone through menopause are allowed to use it. It is used for:

  • Treatment of early breast cancer. It’s given to women with hormone receptor-positive or unknown breast cancer after surgery or in addition to other therapies.
  • Initial or first treatment of breast cancer that has metastasized (spread to other parts of the body). It’s used in women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, or women in whom the hormone receptors aren’t known.
  • Treatment of advanced breast cancer. It’s given when your disease has progressed, even after early response with the cancer drug tamoxifen.

“Women with estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer are not good candidates for anastrozole. It doesn’t work well in women who didn’t respond to treatment with tamoxifen”

How it works

Anastrozole is a drug in the class of aromatase inhibitors. They block the production of estrogen, which is a stimulator of breast cancer. A class of drugs is similar to one another. They have the same structure as other conditions and are often used to treat them.

In post-menopausal women, an androgens is changed into a hormone. When estrogen is present, breast cancer tumors grow. Anastrozole stops the work of aromatase. This lowers the amount of estrogen in the body.

Anastrozole can cause other side effects.

More common side effects

The most common side effects with anastrozole are:

  • There were hot flashes.
  • weakness
  • Pain in the bones, joints, and muscles.
  • A sore throat or cough.
  • high blood pressure.
  • Depression.
  • nausea or vomiting
  • Back pain.
  • There is a skin rash.
  • anxiety
  • “It’s difficult to sleep.”
  • nervousness
  • There is a throbbing head.
  • There is swelling of your legs, feet, or ankle.
  • The breath was very thin.
  • There are bone breaks.
  • There is swelling in your body.

If the effects are mild, they may go away in a few days or weeks. If they are more severe, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

If you have serious side effects, call your doctor. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call the emergency room. There are serious side effects and their symptoms.

  • Osteoporosis (bone thinning or weakness). Symptoms may include: pain in your back, neck, or hips
  • Higher The levels of cholesterol.. This can lead to serious heart problems.
  • Skin reactions. Symptoms may include:
    • There is abnormal growth on your skin.
    • There are open sores.
    • blisters
    • There are a number of symptoms in parts of your hand.
  • Liver problems. Symptoms may include:
    • The skin of your eyes is white.
    • There is pain on the right side of your stomach.
    • A general feeling of not being well.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare professional who knows your medical history.

Anastrozole can interact with other drugs. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can cause the drug to work differently.

Your doctor should keep a close eye on your medications. Tell your doctor about all your medication and supplements. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how this drug might interact with other drugs.

There are drugs that can cause anastrozole to interact with them.

Breast cancer medication

Tamoxifen should not be taken with anastrozole. When these drugs are taking together, the amount of anastrozole in your body can decrease.

Estrogen-containing drugs

Drugs containing estrogen should not be taken with this medication. Estrogen can stop anastrozole. These drugs can be examples.

  • Replacement therapy for hormones.
  • Birth control pills are used.
  • creams
  • vaginal rings
  • There are suppositories.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

This drug has several warnings.

Allergy warning

Anastrozole can cause a reaction. Symptoms may include:

  • breathing problems
  • “It’s swelling of your tongue or throat.”
  • There are bees.

If you develop these symptoms, you should go to the emergency room.

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal.

Contact with drug warning

“If you have the same medical condition, don’t share this medication with others. This drug could cause harm.”

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with osteoporosis: Anastrozole lowers the estrogen levels in your body, which may cause your bones to become weak or thin. This could worsen your osteoporosis and further increase your risk for fractures. Your doctor will check your bone mineral density before starting and during treatment with this drug.

For people with high cholesterol: This medication may increase your The levels of cholesterol.. This can raise your risk of serious heart problems. You doctor will check your The levels of cholesterol. while you’re taking anastrozole.

For people with heart disease: If you have a history of blockage in your heart arteries, anastrozole may cause low blood flow to your heart. Talk to your doctor to weigh the risks and benefits of taking this medication to treat your breast cancer.

For people with liver problems: Anastrozole may cause inflammation of your liver. This can worsen liver problems. Your doctor may check your The function of the body. before and during treatment with this drug.

Warnings for certain groups

For pregnant people: Anastrozole is not explicitly contraindicated in pregnancy, but it has stipulations around its use during pregnancy. The package insert advises people of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during therapy with anastrozole and for at least 3 weeks after the last dose. You should have a negative pregnancy test before starting anastrozole.

If you plan to become pregnant, tell your doctor. If you become pregnant while taking anastrozole, stop taking it and call your doctor.

For people who are nursing: It isn’t known if anastrozole passes through breast milk. If it does, it may cause serious effects in a nursed child.

You and your doctor may have to decide if you should stop taking anastrozole.

For children: The safety and effectiveness of anastrozole haven’t been established in people younger than 18 years of age.

There are no possible dosages or forms included here. How often you take it will depend on your dose and form.

  • Your age.
  • The condition is being treated.
  • How bad is your condition?
  • You have other medical conditions.
  • How do you react to the first dose?

Dosage for breast cancer

Generic: Anastrozole

  • Form: oral tablet
  • Strengths: 1 mg

Brand: Arimidex

  • Form: oral tablet
  • Strengths: 1 mg

The adult dosage is 18 years and older.

The recommended daily dose is one 1-mg tablet taken by mouth.

The child dosage is 0 to 17 years old.

“This medication has not been studied in children. It shouldn’t be used in people younger than 18.”

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always talk with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

“Anastrozole is used for long-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.”

If you don’t take it at all, stop taking it, or don’t take it schedule: Your breast cancer may come back.

If you take too much: Call your doctor or go to the emergency room right away. Taking too much of this drug may cause serious side effects such as severe bleeding, death of tissues, or gastritis.

What to do if you miss a dose: If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s just a few hours before the time for your next dose, then only take one dose at that time.

“Don’t try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could cause serious injuries.”

How to tell if the drug is working: Your doctor will do tests to check if your breast cancer growth has slowed down or stopped.

If your doctor prescribes anastrozole, keep these considerations in mind.

General

  • Anastrozole can be taken with or without food.
  • “Don’t chew anastrozole tablets. Take them all and swallow them.”
  • If you can become pregnant, you must use birth control while taking anastrozole and continue to do so for some time after taking your last dose of the drug. Ask your doctor how long to use birth control.

Storage

  • The room temperature is between 70 and 77F.
  • It should be kept away from high temperatures.
  • “Don’t store this medication in damp areas.”

Refills

“A prescription is not required. You don’t need a new prescription for this medication to be changed. Your doctor will write the number of refill you authorize.”

Travel

Traveling with your medication.

  • Carry your medication with you. Never put it in a checked bag. It should be in your carry-on bag.
  • “Don’t worry about the machines. They can not hurt your medication.”
  • You may need to show the pharmacy label to the airport staff. You should always carry the original box.
  • “Don’t leave this medication in the car or put it in the glove compartment. It is very hot or very cold when this is happening.”

Clinical monitoring

Your doctor will monitor you during and after treatment with anastrozole.

  • Blood pressure and heart rate are included.
  • The levels of cholesterol.
  • The function of the body.
  • The density of the bones.

If your breast cancer growth has stopped or decreased, your doctor will check to see if you have a breast exam.

A pregnancy test is needed before you start anastrozole.

Availability

Not every pharmacy has this drug. When filling a prescription, make sure they carry it.

There are other drugs that can be used to treat your condition. Some may be more suitable for you. Talk to your doctor about alternatives.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.