anastrozole
anastrozole
Pronunciation:
an-AS-tra-zawl
Other Name(s):
Arimidex®
Appearance:
tablet
This handout gives general information about this cancer medication.
You will learn:
-
who to contact for help
-
what the medication is
-
how it is given
-
what to expect while on medication
This handout was created by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) together with patients and their caregivers who have also gone through cancer treatment. It is meant to help support you through your cancer treatment and answer some of your questions.
This information does not replace the advice of your health care team. Always talk to your health care team about your treatment.
My cancer health care provider is: _____________________________________________
During the day I should contact: _______________________________________________
Evenings, weekends and holidays: _____________________________________________
This page gives general information about this cancer medication.
You will learn:
-
who to contact for help
-
what the medication is
-
how it is given
-
what to expect while on this medication
This information was created by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) together with patients and their caregivers who have also gone through cancer treatment. It is meant to help support you through your cancer treatment and answer some of your questions.
This information does not replace the advice of your health care team. Always talk to your health care team about your treatment.
- For treating a certain type of hormone sensitive breast cancer, or other cancers
Tell your health care team if you have or had significant medical condition(s), especially if you have / had:
-
heart, liver or kidneys problems,
-
bone thinning / loss or bone fractures (or if you have family members that have / had either of these), or
-
any allergies.
Anastrozole tablets may contain a small amount of lactose. If you cannot tolerate lactose, talk to your health care team.
Remember To:
-
Tell your health care team about all of the other medications you are taking.
-
Keep taking other medications that have been prescribed for you, unless you have been told not to by your health care team.
-
This medication is usually taken once a day by mouth. Talk to your health care team about how and when to take your medication.
-
Swallow whole with a glass of water with or without food.
-
Do no crush or chew tablets.
-
If you miss a dose, take it if there are at least 12 hours until the next dose, otherwise skip and take your next dose as scheduled. Do not double the dose to make up for the forgotten one.
-
If you vomit (throw up) after taking your medication, talk to your health care team about what to do.
-
If you take too much of your oral anticancer medication by accident, or if you think a child or a pet may have swallowed your medication, you must call the Ontario Poison Control Center right away at: 1-800-268-9017.
-
DO check with your health care team before getting any vaccinations, surgery, dental work or other medical procedures.
-
DO talk to your health care team about your risk of getting other cancers, osteoporosis or heart problems (including high cholesterol) with this treatment.
-
DO NOT smoke or drink alcohol while on treatment without talking to your health care team first. Smoking and drinking can make side effects worse and make your treatment not work as well.
-
DO NOT drive, operate machinery or do any tasks that need you to be alert if you feel tired.
-
DO check with your health care team before getting any vaccinations, surgery, dental work or other medical procedures.
-
DO talk to your health care team about your risk of getting other cancers, osteoporosis or heart problems (including high cholesterol) with this treatment.
-
DO NOT smoke or drink alcohol while on treatment without talking to your health care team first. Smoking and drinking can make side effects worse and make your treatment not work as well.
-
DO NOT drive, operate machinery or do any tasks that need you to be alert if you feel tired.
-
This medication can interact with other medications, vitamins, foods and natural health products. Interactions can make the treatment not work as well or cause severe side effects.
-
Tell your health care team about all of your:
-
prescription and over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications and all other drugs, such as marijuana (medical or recreational)
-
natural health products such as vitamins, herbal teas, homeopathic medicines, and other supplements
-
-
Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.
Talk to your health care team about:
-
How this medication may affect your sexual health.
-
How this medication may affect your ability to have a baby, if this applies to you.
-
If there is any chance of pregnancy happening, you and your partner together must use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time for at least 6 months (general recommendation) after your last dose. Talk to your health care team about which birth control options are best for you.
-
Do not breastfeed while on this medication.
-
This medication may harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care team if you or your partner are pregnant, become pregnant during treatment, or are breastfeeding.
Do not throw out any unused medications at home. Bring them to your pharmacy to be thrown away safely.
Keep this medication in the original packaging at room temperature in a dry place, away from heat and light. Keep out of sight and reach of children and pets.
How to safely touch oral anti-cancer medications
If you are a patient:
-
Wash your hands before and after touching your oral anti-cancer medication.
-
Swallow each pill whole. Do not crush or chew your pills.
If you are a caregiver:
- Wash your hands before and after touching the oral anti-cancer medication.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if there is a chance you or your partner may become pregnant:
-
Wear nitrile or latex gloves when touching tablets, capsules or liquids.
-
Wash your hands before putting on your gloves and after taking them off, even if your skin did not touch the oral anti-cancer medication.
-
Throw out your gloves after each use. Do not re-use gloves.
What to do if oral anti-cancer medication gets on your skin or in your eyes
If medication gets on your skin:
-
Wash your skin with a lot of soap and water. .
-
If your skin gets red or irritated, talk to your health care team.
If medication gets in your eyes:
-
Rinse your eyes with running water right away. Keep water flowing over your open eyes for at least 15 minutes.
The following table lists side effects that you may have when getting anastrozole. The table is set up to list the most common side effects first and the least common last. It is unlikely that you will have all of the side effects listed and you may have some that are not listed.
Read over the side effect table so that you know what to look for and when to get help. Refer to this table if you experience any side effects while on anastrozole.
| Common Side Effects (25 to 49 out of 100 people) | |
| Side effects and what to do | When to contact health care team |
|
Changes to your hormone levels Your treatment causes changes in the levels of estrogen in your body. This can affect your mood, energy levels or physical appearance, among other things. You may have many of these symptoms or none at all. Your symptoms may also change at different times in your treatment. What to look for? Hot flashes:
Other symptoms of having low estrogen levels:
What to do? To help prevent hot flashes:
If you have hot flashes:
Hot flashes may improve over time. Talk to your health care team if this or any symptoms of low estrogen are bothersome for you. |
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe |
|
Headache; Mild joint, muscle pain or cramps What to look for?
What to do?
Ask your health care team for the Pain pamphlet for more information. |
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe |
| Less Common Side Effects (10 to 24 out of 100 people) | |
| Side effects and what to do | When to contact health care team |
|
Fatigue What to look for?
What to do?
Ask your health care team for the Fatigue pamphlet for more information.
|
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe |
|
Mood changes What to look for?
What to do?
Talk to your health care team if your mood changes do not improve or if they are severe.
|
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe |
|
High blood pressure What to look for?
What to do?
If you have a severe headache get emergency help right away as it may be a sign your blood pressure is too high.
|
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe |
|
Nausea and vomiting (generally mild) What to look for?
What to do? To help prevent nausea:
|
Talk to your healthcare team if nausea lasts more than 48 hours or vomiting lasts more than 24 hours or if it is severe |
|
Rash; dry, itchy skin What to look for?
What to do? To prevent and treat dry skin:
Rash may be severe in some rare cases and cause your skin to blister or peel. If this happens, get emergency medical help right away.
|
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe |
|
Bone pain; Bone loss or Bone fractures Your treatment may cause your bones to thin earlier than normal. Thin bones are weak and fragile. They may break easily from simple falls or movements. Your health care team may check your bone density (measure of how strong your bones are) with a bone scan. What to look for?
What to do? To help prevent bone loss and fractures
Get emergency medical help if you experience severe bone pain or are unable to move as these may be signs of a bone fracture. See our Bone Health During Cancer Treatment pamphlet for more information.
|
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve. Get emergency medical help If you have severe bone pain or are unable to move |
|
Trouble Sleeping Your medications may cause trouble sleeping. It may get better once your body gets used to the medication or when your treatment ends. What to look for?
What to do? Talk to your health care team if no improvement or if severe.
|
Talk to your health care team if it does not improve or if it is severe |
Other rare, but serious side effects are possible.
If you experience ANY of the following, speak to your cancer health care provider or get emergency medical help right away:
- pain, swelling or hardening of the vein in an arm or leg
- red purple patches on your skin
- sudden start of coughing, shortness of breath, problems breathing, or coughing blood
- trouble seeing, speaking, or using your arms and legs
- severe rash (may blister or peel), swollen face, lips or tongue, throat tightness
- chest pain or tightness, swelling in your legs, ankles and belly
- confusion, irregular heartbeat, fainting (pass out)
- blurred, cloudy or dim vision, difficulty seeing at night
- yellowish skin or eyes, unusually dark pee or pain on the right side of your belly
- unusual vaginal bleeding
For more information on how to manage your symptoms ask your health care provider, or visit: https://www.cancercareontario.ca/symptoms.
October 2024 Updated to new document format
The information set out in the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets, and symptom management information (for patients) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended to be used by health professionals and patients for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or side effects of a certain drug, nor should it be used to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition.
A patient should always consult a healthcare provider if he/she has any questions regarding the information set out in the Formulary. The information in the Formulary is not intended to act as or replace medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.