Brand Names: Arimidex

Generic Name: anastrozole (Pronunciation: an AS troe zole)

• What is anastrozole (Arimidex)?
• What are the possible side effects of anastrozole (Arimidex)?
• What is the most important information I should know about anastrozole (Arimidex)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking anastrozole (Arimidex)?
• How should I take anastrozole (Arimidex)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Arimidex)?
• What happens if I overdose (Arimidex)?
• What should I avoid while taking anastrozole (Arimidex)?
• What other drugs will affect anastrozole (Arimidex)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is anastrozole (Arimidex)?

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.

Arimidex 1 mg

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What are the possible side effects of anastrozole (Arimidex)?

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 (Arimidex)?

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.