Generic Name: Anastrozole (an-ASS-troe-zole)
Brand Name: Arimidex
What is anastrozole?
Anastrozole blocks the use of estrogen by
certain types of breast tumors that need estrogen to
grow in the body.
Anastrozole is used to treat breast cancer in women who have completed menopause.
Anastrozole may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What is the most important information I should
know about anastrozole?
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 severe liver or kidney
disease, or if you have not yet completed menopause. If you have any of these
conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take
anastrozole.
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. |
