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Anastrozole

About anastrozole

Anastrozole is a type of hormone treatment. It works by lowering the levels of oestrogen hormones in your body.

It is mainly prescribed for women who have been through the menopause and have a type of cancer called hormone-dependent breast cancer.

Most people who take anastrozole will have had surgery, radiotherapy or sometimes chemotherapy to treat their breast cancer first.

Anastrozole is available on prescription only. It comes as tablets and can sometimes also be used:

  • to prevent breast cancer if you are high risk and have been through the menopause
  • to treat breast cancer in men and younger women
  • as a fertility treatment if you have polycystic ovary syndrome

Who can and cannot take anastrozole

Anastrozole is not suitable for some people. Tell your doctor before starting on this medicine if you:

  • have had an allergic reaction to anastrozole or any other medicines in the past
  • still have periods
  • are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding
  • have serious kidney or liver disease
  • have been told you have fragile or brittle bones (osteoporosis)

How and when to take anastrozole

Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water. Do not crush or chew it.

You can take anastrozole with or without food.

Anastrozole comes as 1mg tablets. The usual dose is 1 tablet, taken once a day.

Try to take your anastrozole at the same time each day, this will make it easier to remember. You can choose a time that suits your everyday routine

What if I forget to take it?

If you forget to take your medicine, just skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the normal time.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one. If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

What if I take too much?

If you take too many anastrozole tablets, you may get symptoms like feeling sick, vomiting or diarrhoea.

  • you take too many tablets and feel unwell

Call 111 or go to 111.nhs.uk

Side effects

Like all medicines, anastrozole can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Anastrozole may affect your blood pressure, cholesterol and bone density. Your doctor will monitor this carefully and can recommend additional treatment if needed.

Menopause symptoms usually improve during the first few months of taking anastrozole.

These common side effects happen in more than 1 in 100 people.

  • hot flushes and sweating
  • dry or itchy vagina and genitals, bleeding from your vagina
  • difficulty sleeping
  • feeling very tired
  • feeling or being sick, loss of appetite
  • mild aches in your muscles and bones
  • numb or tingling hands
  • changes to your skin, including a mild rash
  • hair loss or thinning hair
  • low mood or depression

Talk to your doctor or a pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away:

Serious side effects

Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 100 people.

How to cope with the side effects of anastrozole

Menopause symptoms such as hot flushes, difficulty sleeping, tiredness and low mood usually improve during the first months of taking anastrozole. However, if they are severe or last longer than a few months, talk to your doctor or breast cancer nurse.

What to do about:

  • hot flushes and sweating – try cutting down on spicy food, caffeine, smoking and alcohol. It may help to keep the room cool and use a fan. Try spraying your face with cool water, or sipping a cold drink.
  • dry or itchy vagina, bleeding from your vagina – ask your doctor or breast cancer nurse to recommend a vaginal moisturiser for treating irritation or dryness. Vaginal bleeding usually happens in the first few weeks after starting anastrozole. Talk to your doctor if it lasts longer than a few days. Also talk to your doctor if these symptoms first appear more than a few weeks after you start taking anastrozole.
  • difficulty sleeping – avoid caffeine (tea, coffee, cola and chocolate) in the afternoon and evening. Keep your bedroom dark and quiet, and try going to bed and getting up at a set time each day. It may also help to stop watching TV, looking at your mobile phone or using other electronic devices (like tablets), at least 1 hour before bedtime.
  • feeling very tired – gentle exercise and eating healthily can help make you feel less tired. Try going to bed and getting up at a set time each day. Do not drive, ride a bike or operate machinery if you feel very tired while taking anastrozole. This will usually start to improve as your body gets used to the medicine. Speak to your doctor if it does not get better.
  • feeling or being sick, loss of appetite – it might help to take anastrozole after you've eaten. Choose foods you normally enjoy but avoid rich or spicy food. Try eating smaller meals but more often. If you're being sick, have small, frequent sips of water to avoid dehydration. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or get worse.
  • mild aches in your muscles or bones – ask a pharmacist to recommend a suitable painkiller. If the pain lasts more than a week, ask your doctor for advice. If you have a sudden attack of pain in a joint ask a doctor for advice urgently.
  • numb or tingling hands – stop taking the medicine and ask your doctor for advice
  • changes to your skin, including a mild rash – it may help to take an antihistamine. You can buy these at a pharmacy without a prescription. Check with a pharmacist to see what's suitable for you.
  • hair loss or thinning hair – some people find that their hair gets thinner when they start taking anastrozole. This is usually mild. Ask your breast cancer nurse for advice if this is bothering you.
  • low mood or depression – it is difficult to know whether this is due to the medicine or a response to menopausal symptoms or being diagnosed with cancer. Speak to your doctor or specialist nurse. They may recommend therapies, like cognitive therapy and mindfulness, or antidepressant medicines.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Anastrozole is not recommended when pregnant or breastfeeding, because it interferes with hormone levels in you and your baby. And there is not enough information available to say if it's safe.

Talk to your doctor straight away if there is any chance that you could be pregnant.

  • trying to get pregnant
  • pregnant
  • breastfeeding

Cautions with other medicines

There are very few medicines that affect the way anastrozole works in the body.

However, do not take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or any other medicines that relieve menopausal symptoms. These may contain ingredients similar to the hormone oestrogen and could stop anastrozole working as well as it should in treating your cancer.

Do not take any herbal remedies or supplements for menopausal symptoms while taking anastrozole. These can stop anastrozole working as well as it should.

There is very little information about taking other herbal remedies and supplements together with anastrozole.

Related links

Breast cancer in women — Link to Related Condition

Menopause — Link to Related Condition

Polycystic ovary syndrome — Link to Related Condition

HealthUnlocked: anastrozole forum — Link to Useful Resource

Breast Cancer Now: charity — Link to Useful Resource

Macmillan Cancer Support: charity — Link to Useful Resource

HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence

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139 public posts

Targeted treatment for ER + & PR + & HER2- Uterine cancer - which ones are you getting?

Hi, I’m taking anastrozole and Ibrance for almost 4 ½ years for recurrent uterine cancer and in remission. Side effects vary, but mostly the blood counts are affected. Anyone else on this regimen or another?
Hi, I’m taking anastrozole and Ibrance for almost 4 ½ years for recurrent uterine cancer and in remission. Side effects vary, but mostly the blood counts are affected. Anyone else on this regimen or another?
Merma profile image
Merma
in SHARE Uterine Cancer Support

Faslodex and Anastrozole

My Oncologist added Anastrozole. I would love anyones input on this combination . I’m feeling a lot of fatigue and nausea daily. Have a beautiful day 🥰. Jen
My Oncologist added Anastrozole. I would love anyones input on this combination . I’m feeling a lot of fatigue and nausea daily. Have a beautiful day 🥰. Jen
Rubyln15 profile image
Rubyln15
in SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer

Estrogen Blocker - Anastrozole

Hello Teal Sisters, This is an ongoing dilemma for me would appreciate your input and personal experience with estrogen blockers. My Gyno/Onc wants me to take the above 1mg for 2 years my Oncologist doesn't recommend it because there's no proven data behind it in my type, I'm 3B, Low Grade, Endometrioid
Hello Teal Sisters, This is an ongoing dilemma for me would appreciate your input and personal experience with estrogen blockers. My Gyno/Onc wants me to take the above 1mg for 2 years my Oncologist doesn't recommend it because there's no proven data behind it in my type, I'm 3B, Low Grade, Endometrioid
Saintgermain profile image
Saintgermain
in My Ovacome
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Fluctuating CA 15-3 tumor marker

Read Anastrozole could be culprit. Extremely high anxiety til scan done on Wednesday. Guess this is new way of life for me.
Read Anastrozole could be culprit. Extremely high anxiety til scan done on Wednesday. Guess this is new way of life for me.
Suz0130 profile image
Suz0130
in My Ovacome

Hormone Therapy

Grand Rising meant with my Medical Oncologist on 12/28/2021,will be starting on Anastrozole first of year,feeling anxious about this new experience,will journal as I have from day one with this journey called cancer,will keep the group updated.
Grand Rising meant with my Medical Oncologist on 12/28/2021,will be starting on Anastrozole first of year,feeling anxious about this new experience,will journal as I have from day one with this journey called cancer,will keep the group updated.
Gotskills65 profile image
Gotskills65
in My Breast Cancer Community

Joint & tendon pain on Aromatase inhibitors

Again, thank you in advance for your help and input…thankfully, the Anastrozole and IBrance are still working after nearly two years so I hope I’m not rocking the boat.
Again, thank you in advance for your help and input…thankfully, the Anastrozole and IBrance are still working after nearly two years so I hope I’m not rocking the boat.
Dragonfly2 profile image
Dragonfly2
in SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer

Anyone on Exemestane?

I have tried anastrozole and letrozole--and anas caused extreme joint pain plus brain fog--and letrozole some tendonitis plus lots of brain fog and anger and paranoia issues. I am hoping the exemestane will be better for both side effects.
I have tried anastrozole and letrozole--and anas caused extreme joint pain plus brain fog--and letrozole some tendonitis plus lots of brain fog and anger and paranoia issues. I am hoping the exemestane will be better for both side effects.
LadyKatarina profile image
LadyKatarina
in SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer

Alternative to Alendronic Acid

I am taking Anastrozole after having breast cancer, I then had a bone density scan and was told I had Osteopenia. I am 67 yrs old AP Spine(L1-L4) T-score. -1.4. Z -score 0.4 Femoral neck (left) T- score. -1.0.
I am taking Anastrozole after having breast cancer, I then had a bone density scan and was told I had Osteopenia. I am 67 yrs old AP Spine(L1-L4) T-score. -1.4. Z -score 0.4 Femoral neck (left) T- score. -1.0.
Lucy1578 profile image
Lucy1578
in Bone Health

Fatigue

I been on Ibrance highest dose and anastrozole for about 13 months. The last few months has seen my fatigue increase and my mobility decrease. I can only walk a block now before I am tired and if I go out shopping I am in bed most of the next day. My mind is active but my body is not.
I been on Ibrance highest dose and anastrozole for about 13 months. The last few months has seen my fatigue increase and my mobility decrease. I can only walk a block now before I am tired and if I go out shopping I am in bed most of the next day. My mind is active but my body is not.
Kiwikaz profile image
Kiwikaz
in SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer

What Next?

As I am oestrogen positive, Anastrozole is a possibility. This is an unknown to me, so I should welcome hearing from anyone who has had this. Jenny
As I am oestrogen positive, Anastrozole is a possibility. This is an unknown to me, so I should welcome hearing from anyone who has had this. Jenny
27-359 profile image
27-359
in My Ovacome

High potassium

Hi to all, Just had a blood test and was wondering about the results which are different from usual leukocytes, 2,5 vs 3,8 neutrophils 1,2 vs 1,5, ok because above 1 lymphocytes 1,1 vs 2,89 potassium 5,1 vs 4,3 yet creatinine ok at 6 I'm on anastrozole and ibrance 125 since july 2020 for extensive bone
Hi to all, Just had a blood test and was wondering about the results which are different from usual leukocytes, 2,5 vs 3,8 neutrophils 1,2 vs 1,5, ok because above 1 lymphocytes 1,1 vs 2,89 potassium 5,1 vs 4,3 yet creatinine ok at 6 I'm on anastrozole and ibrance 125 since july 2020 for extensive bone
Lulu4545 profile image
Lulu4545
in SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer

Some natural supplements that help for hair (and pain)

Hi all, I had posted here a while back about hair loss after some of the meds and treatments I’d been on like anastrozole…I lost more than half of my hair on it and was really devastated. (Could also be from being put on early menopause).
Hi all, I had posted here a while back about hair loss after some of the meds and treatments I’d been on like anastrozole…I lost more than half of my hair on it and was really devastated. (Could also be from being put on early menopause).
Verbena1 profile image
Verbena1
in SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer

Thinning hair

I’m on Ibrance and Anastrozole ( Arimidex). I would like to get the gray out and do some highlights but thinking that might be too much for my hair. Does anyone get their hair done or should I avoid it? It would make me feel better but worry I might lose more hair.
I’m on Ibrance and Anastrozole ( Arimidex). I would like to get the gray out and do some highlights but thinking that might be too much for my hair. Does anyone get their hair done or should I avoid it? It would make me feel better but worry I might lose more hair.
KitMios profile image
KitMios
in SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer

Supplementing your therapies

2Fpmc%2Farticles%2FPMC5345333%2F&h=AT0AbWiayA400Yv_WLWLOyucyEnFMRL91slhL1oN81k2Dqns-sAxkkfA5H3DUku9bga3uDtnHDwSQdB0tPst5uQGNGf18XpIs1rYjHRqcEs7sRi4fP4aikQhGBXJisZwAJqGCjAUjC7b&s=1. ) has some interesting and reassuring info about the supplements that I have been using to support my current IBrance, Anastrozole
2Fpmc%2Farticles%2FPMC5345333%2F&h=AT0AbWiayA400Yv_WLWLOyucyEnFMRL91slhL1oN81k2Dqns-sAxkkfA5H3DUku9bga3uDtnHDwSQdB0tPst5uQGNGf18XpIs1rYjHRqcEs7sRi4fP4aikQhGBXJisZwAJqGCjAUjC7b&s=1. ) has some interesting and reassuring info about the supplements that I have been using to support my current IBrance, Anastrozole
Dragonfly2 profile image
Dragonfly2
in SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer

How to manage Xeloda?

I had a mastectomy 5 years ago and was on a maintenance dose of Anastrozole. I am HR negative. When diagnosed I was given radiation for tumour activity in my sternum and a combination of Fulvestrant injections and kisqali medication.
I had a mastectomy 5 years ago and was on a maintenance dose of Anastrozole. I am HR negative. When diagnosed I was given radiation for tumour activity in my sternum and a combination of Fulvestrant injections and kisqali medication.
Karen2235 profile image
Karen2235
in SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer

A Very Angry Daughter!!

I told her that after the last scan in Sept the consultant mentioned trying Anastrozole as she had seen good results? " no" she said " I dont think it will do anything only shown to work in about 8%!" ( I read cancer research results when got home and it worked in 44%!!) .
I told her that after the last scan in Sept the consultant mentioned trying Anastrozole as she had seen good results? " no" she said " I dont think it will do anything only shown to work in about 8%!" ( I read cancer research results when got home and it worked in 44%!!) .
Cobweb2 profile image
Cobweb2
in My Ovacome

Afib and anastrozole

., after starting anastrozole. Thanks.
., after starting anastrozole. Thanks.
dmjtanner profile image
dmjtanner
in AF Association

I’m new here

Starting Ibrance Is anyone taking Ibrance with an Anastrozole
Starting Ibrance Is anyone taking Ibrance with an Anastrozole
Building-strength profile image
Building-strength
in SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer

Stable. Thankful. Loving the winter sunshine.

Good news for me yet again. 3.3 years in, still on 100mg Ibrance and Anastrozole with Dunocumab/Xgeva jabs monthly. And after my 3 monthly scans I get told yet again I’m stable. Slight rise in CA Markers.
Good news for me yet again. 3.3 years in, still on 100mg Ibrance and Anastrozole with Dunocumab/Xgeva jabs monthly. And after my 3 monthly scans I get told yet again I’m stable. Slight rise in CA Markers.
Timtam56 profile image
Timtam56
in SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer

Arthritis flareup on Ibrance and Anastrozole and Zometa

Hello Ladies! I've just gone through my one year anniversary of being diagnosed with MBC...and am feeling relatively well. I can walk for at least a mile, play golf, and am relatively active for an almost 68 year old woman. My most recent development is a painful flare up of arthritis in my hands,
Hello Ladies! I've just gone through my one year anniversary of being diagnosed with MBC...and am feeling relatively well. I can walk for at least a mile, play golf, and am relatively active for an almost 68 year old woman. My most recent development is a painful flare up of arthritis in my hands,
Dragonfly2 profile image
Dragonfly2
in SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer
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