Anastrozole
Trade Name:
Arimidex
Type of Drug:
Anastrozole belongs to a general group of drugs called hormones or hormone antagonists. It is used as a treatment for postmenopausal women with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
How Drug Works:
Anastrozole selectively prevents the body’s adrenal glands from making estrogen. Other steroid hormones made by the adrenal glands are not affected.
How Drug Is Given:
Anastrozole is a pill taken once a day, about the same time each day. The dose is the same for all adults. Keep the medicine in a tightly closed container and out of the reach of children and pets.
How Should I Take This Drug?
Take this drug exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your doctor or nurse to explain them to you. This drug can be given at different strengths depending on the type of cancer being treated. Dosage may vary depending on your weight and your type of cancer.
Read the following information. If you do not understand it or if any of it causes you special concern, check with your doctor.

Before taking this drug, tell your doctor:

  • If you are trying to become pregnant, are pregnant, or breastfeeding. This drug may cause birth defects if either the male or female is taking it at the time of conception or during pregnancy. Men and women who are taking this drug need to use some kind of birth control. However, do not use oral contraceptives (“the pill”) without checking with your doctor.

  • If you think you may want to have children in the future. Many chemotherapy drugs can cause sterility.

  • If you have any of the following medical problems: chickenpox or exposure to chickenpox, gout, heart disease, congestive heart failure, shingles, kidney stones, liver disease, or other forms of cancer.

  • If you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins and herbals.
Should I avoid any other medicines, foods, alcohol, and/or activities?
Your prescription and nonprescription medicines may interact with other drugs, causing harm. Certain foods or alcohol can also interact with drug products. Never begin taking a new medicine—prescription or nonprescription—without asking your doctor or nurse if it will interact with alcohol, food, or other medicines. Some drug products can cause drowsiness and affect activities such as driving.
Precautions:
Very rarely, this drug may cause blood clots to form. Call your doctor or nurse right away if you develop pain in your lower leg (calf), redness or swelling of your arm or leg, shortness of breath, or chest pain.
Tell all the doctors, dentists, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug.
  • Most of the following side effects probably will not occur.
  • Your doctor or nurse will want to discuss specific care instructions with you.
  • They can help you understand these side effects and help you deal with them.
Side Effects:
More Common Side Effects
  • Weakness
  • Decreased energy level
Less Common Side Effects
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Mild diarrhea
  • Increased or decreased appetite
  • Sweating
  • Hot flushes
  • Vaginal dryness
Rare Side Effects
  • Blood clots with redness or mild swelling of arms, legs and ankles, pain in leg calves, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
Other side effects not listed above can also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop any problems.
FDA Approval: This drug is approved for cancer treatment.