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 other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking anastrozole?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to anastrozole, or if you are pregnant
or breast-feeding.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to
safely use this medication:
heart disease;
circulation problems;
a history of stroke or blood clot;
severe liver disease; or
if you have not yet completed menopause.
FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an
unborn baby.
Do not use anastrozole
without telling your doctor if you are
pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you
become pregnant during treatment.
You may need to take a pregnancy test before using anastrozole, to make sure you are not
pregnant.
It is not known whether anastrozole passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take anastrozole?
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger 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.
Store anastrozole at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of anastrozole?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait
until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
take extra medicine
to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about anastrozole?
Your pharmacist has information about anastrozole written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of anastrozole?
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 any of these serious side effects:
sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech,
or balance;
swollen glands;
a bone fracture; or
swelling in your hands or feet;
Less serious side effects may include:
hot flashes;
joint pain or stiffness;
weakness;
sore throat;
depression, mood changes;
nausea; or
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.
What is the most important information I should know about anastrozole?
FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby.
Do not use anastrozole
without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the
unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
You may need to take a pregnancy test before using anastrozole, to make sure you are not
pregnant.
You also should not use this medication if you are breast-feeding a baby, or if you are
allergic to anastrozole.
Before using anastrozole, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, circulation problems, a
history of stroke of blood clot, severe liver disease, or if you have not yet completed menopause.
You may need to keep taking anastrozole for up to 5 years. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Anastrozole may not work as well if you take it together with tamoxifen or an estrogen
medication. Before you start taking anastrozole, tell your doctor if you also take tamoxifen or estrogen.
What should I avoid while taking anastrozole?
Anastrozole can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if
you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What other drugs will affect anastrozole?
Anastrozole may not work as well if you take it together with tamoxifen or an estrogen
medication. 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 your
prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs
prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of anastrozole?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
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drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
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interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
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Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009