Anastrozole
About Anastrozole
Anastrozole is used to treat breast cancer in women who have gone through menopause (cessation of menses periods). Breast cancer is a type of cancer that develops in breast cells stimulated by the female sex hormone known as estrogen.
Anastrozole works by blocking the aromatase enzyme, which is involved in producing the estrogen hormone. The cancer cells require estrogen for their growth. Hence, by blocking the aromatase enzyme, Anastrozole prevents the growth of cancer cells. Together, Anastrozole helps prevent or stop the growth of tumours (cancer cells) in other body parts.
Take Anastrozole as prescribed by your doctor. Depending on your medical conditions, you are advised to take Anastrozole for as long as your doctor prescribes it. In some cases, you may experience common side effects such as headache, musculoskeletal (bone, muscle, or joint) pain, hot flashes, nausea, skin rashes, osteoporosis, and weakness. Do not hesitate to talk with your doctor if you persistently experience any of these side effects.
To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Anastrozole for as long as your doctor has prescribed. Do not stop Anastrozole midway. Talk to your doctor before taking Anastrozole if you have allergies, osteoporosis (thinning of bones), bone fractures, high levels of cholesterol, or severe liver or kidney disease. Avoid taking Anastrozole if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Anastrozole causes weakness and dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Anastrozole should not be given to children as safety has not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol with Anastrozole as it could lead to increased drowsiness and dizziness. Inform your doctor about your health condition and medications before taking Anastrozole to rule out any side effects.
Uses of Anastrozole
Medicinal Benefits
Anastrozole belongs to the group of anti-cancer medicines called aromatase inhibitors. Anastrozole is used to treat breast cancer in women who have gone through menopause (cessation of periods). Breast cancer is a type of cancer that develops in breast cells stimulated by a female sex hormone called estrogen. Anastrozole works by blocking the aromatase enzyme involved in the production of estrogens. Cancer cells require estrogen to grow, so blocking the enzyme Anastrozole prevents cancer cells' growth. Thereby, Anastrozole helps slow down or stop the growth and/or spreading of the tumours to other body parts.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Anastrozole
- Headache
- Musculoskeletal (bone, muscle, or joint) pain
- Hot flashes
- Nausea
- Skin rashes
- Osteoporosis
- Weakness
Drug Warnings
Do not take Anastrozole if you are allergic to any of its contents or have not yet gone through menopause (still getting your periods). To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Anastrozole for as long as your doctor has prescribed. Do not stop the Anastrozole midway. Talk to your doctor before taking Anastrozole if you have allergies, osteoporosis (thinning of bones), bone fractures, high levels of cholesterol, or severe liver or kidney disease. Avoid taking Anastrozole if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Anastrozole causes weakness and dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Anastrozole should not be given to children as safety has not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol with Anastrozole as it could lead to increased drowsiness and dizziness. Inform your doctor about your health condition and medications before taking Anastrozole to rule out any side effects.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Using thalidomide (immunomodulatory agent) with Anastrozole can increase the risk of dangerous blood clots.
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Anastrozole may interact with disease conditions, including high cholesterol, osteoporosis (thinning of bone), heart disease, and liver disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Anastrozole to avoid unpleasant side effects. Alcohol intake, along with Anastrozole, may cause increased drowsiness.
Pregnancy
unsafeAnastrozole should not be used during pregnancy because it causes harm to the fetus (newborn baby). Please discuss any concerns regarding this with your doctor.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAnastrozole should not be taken during breastfeeding as it passes into the breastmilk and may harm the nursing baby. It is contraindicated in breastfeeding mothers.
Driving
unsafeAnastrozole may cause dizziness and drowsiness; do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.
Liver
cautionPlease inform the doctor if you have a history or evidence of any liver-related diseases. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing them.
Kidney
cautionPlease inform the doctor if you have a history or evidence of any kidney-related diseases. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing them.
Children
unsafeAnastrozole should not be used by children, as efficacy and safety have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to maintain proper weight.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Consume leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, fatty fish, berries, yoghurt, apples, peaches, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, beans, herbs, and spices.
- Avoid fried, processed meats, refined carbs, and added sugar.
- Get optimal sleep, and rest well.
Special Advise
- Your doctor may advise you to regularly measure body density before, during, and after the treatment as the Anastrozole may cause bone thinning due to the reduction of estrogen in the body.
- Anastrozole should be taken under strict medical supervision. The doctor will regularly monitor your condition while you are taking it.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Breast cancer is a type of cancer that develops in breast cells stimulated by a female sex hormone called estrogen. Breast cancer may form in lobules (glands that produce milk), ducts of the breast (the pathway that brings milk from glands to the nipple), fatty tissue, or fibrous connective tissue within the breast. The tumour cells invade other healthy breast cells and travel to lymph nodes, a primary pathway for the cancer cells to move to other parts of the body. Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast or tissue thickening which feels different than the normal surrounding tissues, breast pain, redness, swelling, nipple discharge other than breast milk, bloody discharge, unexplained change in shape, size, or appearance of the breast, peeling, flaking or scaling of the skin, and a lump or swelling under the arm.
FAQs
Anastrozole is used to treat breast cancer in women who have gone through menopause (cessation of menses periods).
Anastrozole works by blocking the aromatase enzyme, which is involved in producing the estrogen hormone. The cancer cells require estrogen for their growth. Hence, by blocking the aromatase enzyme, Anastrozole prevents the growth of cancer cells. Together, Anastrozole helps prevent or stop the growth of tumours (cancer cells) in other body parts.
Do not stop taking Anastrozole on your own. Depending on your medical condition, you are advised to take Anastrozole for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Do not hesitate to speak with your doctor if you experience difficulty while taking Anastrozole.
Anastrozole may cause osteoporosis (bone thinning) due to the reduction of estrogen in the body. Regular bone density tests may help you monitor osteoporosis. Contact your doctor if you observe any sign of tendon pain or swelling while taking Anastrozole.
Anastrozole may cause weight gain due to an increase in appetite. However, it is not very common. If you gain weight, eat a low-calorie diet (low-calorie) and exercise regularly to maintain proper weight.
Yes, Anastrozole commonly affects the hair by making it thin, which further causes loss of hair. However, it is not very common. Hair reduction possibly happens due to the estrogen-lowering effect of Anastrozole. These effects are not long-lasting and may return after some time. If it matters to you, then inform your doctor of another alternative medicine to avoid harm to hair.
The side effects of Anastrozole include headache, nausea, hot flashes, skin rashes, weakness, and musculoskeletal (bone, muscle, or joint) pain. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Anastrozole is used by bodybuilders who use anabolic steroids for bodybuilding to reduce the estrogen production which is a side effect of anabolic steroids. Increased estrogen levels in bodybuilders may result in shrinking of the testicles or penis, high pitched female voice, and breast enlargement. In order to avoid such characteristics, bodybuilders use Anastrozole.
Anastrozole can be taken anytime of the day. Take it exactly as advised by your doctor. It can be taken with or without food. Do not break, crush, or chew it.
While on Anastrozole, your doctor will recommend blood tests to check blood cell counts and investigate kidney and liver functions. In addition, if you are at risk for osteoporosis, which may also occur due to Anastrozole, your doctor may advise a bone scan.
You should contact your doctor if you experience any severe adverse reaction. In case of prolonged or severe vomiting or nausea, extreme pain and extreme weakness, inform your doctor. Additionally, if you have taken more than the recommended dose of Anastrozole, consult your dotor.
The most important information that you need to know while using Anastrozole is that it can cause heart disease. Women with early-stage breast cancer and blockage of arteries in the heart may have an increase in symptoms of decreased blood flow to their heart. If you experience shortness of breath or have a new or worsening chest pain, seek medical help.
Anastrozole should not be used with tamoxifen as it may reduce its effectiveness. Medicines containing estrogen such as estrogen creams, birth control pills, vaginal rings, and vaginal suppositories may affect the working of Anastrozole.
