Anastrozole

Uses of Anastrozole

Anastrozole is a medicine that works by lowering the level of oestrogen (a hormone) in your body.It’s mainly prescribed for women who have been through the menopause and have a type of cancer called hormone-dependent breast cancer.

It can also be used:

• to prevent breast cancer if you’re high risk and have been through the menopause;
• to treat breast cancer in men;
• to treat breast cancer in younger women before the menopause.

Precautions and Warnings

You should not use anastrozole if you are allergic to it, or if you have not yet completed menopause.

Anastrozole is not approved for use in men or children.

You should not take anastrozole if you also take tamoxifen.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart problems;
• coronary artery disease (clogged artery disease);
• high cholesterol; or
• osteoporosis or low bone mineral density.

Hormonal cancer treatment can weaken your bones. You may be more likely to have a broken bone while using anastrozole. Talk with your doctor about ways to keep your bones healthy.

Although it is not likely that a postmenopausal woman would be pregnant, anastrozole may harm an unborn baby. You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Use effective birth control if you are not past menopause. Keep using birth control for at least 3 weeks after your last dose of anastrozole. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

Do not breastfeed while using anastrozole, and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose.

Dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Breast Cancer:

Initial dose: 1 mg orally taken once a day
Duration of therapy: Until tumor progression (treatment of advanced breast cancer); unknown (adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer)

Side Effects:

Common Side Effects:

• Hot flashes
• Feeling unusually weak or tired
• Pain, including back pain, bone pain, headache,  joint pain, or sore throat
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rash
• Weak bones (see below)
• Trouble sleeping
• Fluid retention
• Cough or shortness of breath
• High blood pressure
• Depression