Generic Arimidex (Anastrozole)

Arimidex (anastrozole) is a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Arimidex is often given to women whose cancer has progressed even after taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex, Soltamox). Arimidex is available in generic form.

Common side effects of Arimidex include:

• constipation,
• diarrhea,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• upset stomach,
• loss of appetite,
• body aches and pains (back pain, bone pain, joint pain or stiffness),
• breast swelling/tenderness/pain,
• headache,
• dry mouth,
• scratchy or sore throat,
• increased cough,
• dizziness,
• trouble sleeping (insomnia),
• tiredness,
• weakness,
• flushing and sweating (hot flashes/hot flushes),
• vaginal bleeding,
• hair thinning,
• weight changes,
• depression,
• mood changes,
• problems with your fingers while gripping, or
• numbness, tingling, cold feeling, or weakness in your hand or wrist.

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out;
• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

The dose of Arimidex is one 1 mg tablet taken once a day. For patients with advanced breast cancer, the medication should be continued until tumor progression.

Arimidex may not work as well if taken with tamoxifen or an estrogen medication. Other drugs may interact with Arimidex. Tell your doctor all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you use. Arimidex is used mainly in women after menopause.

This medication must not be used during pregnancy. It may cause harm to a fetus or miscarriage. Products containing estrogen (such as birth control pills) should not be used. Consult your doctor about birth control. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breastfeeding while using this drug is not recommended.