Details

Anastrozole lowers oestrogen levels in post-menopausal women, which may slow the growth of certain types of breast tumours that need oestrogen to grow in the body. Anastrozole is used to treat breast cancer in post-menopausal women. It is often given to women whose cancer has progressed even after taking tamoxifen. Anastrozole may not work as well if you take it together with oestrogen medication (such as hormone replacement therapy, oestrogen creams, or birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings). This medicine may increase your risk of a stroke or blood clot. Call your doctor at once if you have sudden numbness or weakness, (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance. To make sure anastrozole is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, circulation problems, history of stroke or blood clot, severe liver disease, high cholesterol or osteoporosis or low bone mineral density.

Typical Uses

Anastrozole is used to treat breast cancer in women who have gone through menopause. Anastrozole works by lowering oestrogen hormone levels to help shrink tumours and slow their growth. Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually once a day, or as directed by your doctor. Do not increase your dose or take anastrozole more often without your doctor's approval. Your condition will not improve any faster and the risk of serious side effects may be increased. Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle or break the tablets of anastrozole.

Side Effects

Anastrozole has certain side effects such as widening of blood vessels, hypertension, sudden cardiac death, blood clot in veins and insufficient blood supply to brain, lack of energy, mood disturbances, headache, depression, sleeplessness, dizziness, fainting, abnormal sensations, anxiety, increased tightness of muscle, slurred speech and fatigue, rash, sweating, redness of the skin, pain, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet, mucous membrane infection, hair thinning, inflammation of pharynx, difficulty swallowing or breathing, persistent cough and clouding of eye lenses, stomach disturbances, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion, gastrointestinal disorder and dry mouth, breast pain, urinary tract infection, inflammation of vagina, breast neoplasm, vaginal bleeding, whitish or yellowish vaginal discharge and vaginal dryness, lymph nodes swelling, decrease in haemoglobin, and white blood cells, increased level of liver enzymes and jaundice, allergic reactions including hypersensitivity reaction, rapid swelling of the dermis and skin rash, edema, high blood cholesterol, increased levels of alkaline phosphatises and weight loss, inflammation of joints, joint pain, back pain, bone pain, an increased risk of fracture, pelvic pain and muscle pain, difficulty in breathing, increased cough, sinus or sinusitis and inflammation of bronchi, bone weakness, hot flashes, pain, accidental injury, infection, chest pain, flu syndrome, cyst, neoplasm and tumour flare.

Drug Interactions

• Anastrozole+thalidomide- Using thalidomide together with anastrozole can increase the risk of dangerous blood clots. The risk is also increased with age, cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. You may need to take a blood thinner or undergo more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.

• Anastrozole+azathioprine- Using azathioprine together with anastrozole may increase the risk of serious infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

• Anastrozole+chlorotrianisene- Ask your doctor before using chlorotrianisene together with anastrozole. Using these medications together can make anastrozole less effective.

• Anastrozole+estropipate- Ask your doctor before using estropipate together with anastrozole. Using these medications together can make anastrozole less effective.

• Anastrozole+quinestrol- Ask your doctor before using quinestrol together with anastrozole. Using these medications together can make anastrozole less effective.

Mechanism of action

Anastrozole belongs to aromatase inhibitor group of medication. It blocks the synthesis of hormone oestrogen and substances similar to it (oestrone, estradiol) that are responsible for the progression of breast cancer in post-menopausal women.

Pregnancy Category : D