DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: anastrozole (ah NA stra zole)
Brand Names: Arimidex

What is anastrozole?

Anastrozole blocks the use of estrogen by certain types of breast cancer that require estrogen to grow.

Anastrozole is used to treat breast cancer.

Anastrozole may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about anastrozole?

Before taking anastrozole, tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions or if you take other medications. You may not be able to take anastrozole, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

Who should not take anastrozole?

Before taking anastrozole, tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions or if you take other medications. You may not be able to take anastrozole, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

Anastrozole is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that anastrozole is known to harm an unborn baby. Do not take anastrozole if you are pregnant. It is not known whether anastrozole passes into breast milk. Do not take anastrozole if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take anastrozole?

Take anastrozole exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

Anastrozole is usually taken once a day. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Anastrozole can be taken with or without food.

Store anastrozole at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless your doctor directs otherwise.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of anastrozole is unlikely to threaten life. Call an emergency room or a poison control center for advice if you suspect that a very large dose of anastrozole has been ingested.

What should I avoid while taking anastrozole?

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activities while taking anastrozole unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Anastrozole side effects

Stop taking anastrozole and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives) to anastrozole.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take anastrozole and talk to your doctor if you experience

• diarrhea;

• nausea or vomiting;

• constipation;

• weakness;

• muscle or bone pain;

• headache;

• hot flashes;

• shortness of breath or coughing;

• dizziness;

• swelling or water retention;

• loss of appetite;

• vaginal dryness;

• weight gain; or

• rash.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect anastrozole?

There are no known interactions between anastrozole and other medications. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines during treatment with anastrozole.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about anastrozole written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Anastrozole is available with a prescription under the brand name Arimidex. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Arimidex 1 mg-round, white, film-coated tablets

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.03. Revision Date: 2/13/04 4:05:43 PM.