Aromatin

Indications

Anastrozole is used to treat hormone receptor positive breast cancer in women who have gone through menopause. It is used after surgery to lower the chance of the cancer coming back (adjuvant treatment), as a first treatment for advanced or spreading breast cancer, and sometimes after several years of Tamoxifen treatment.

How It Works

Many breast cancers need the hormone oestrogen to grow. After menopause, most oestrogen is made from other hormones by an enzyme called aromatase. Anastrozole blocks aromatase (it is an aromatase inhibitor), so the body makes much less oestrogen. This slows or stops the growth of oestrogen sensitive cancer cells.

Dosage and Administration

Anastrozole is a cancer medicine and must be taken exactly as prescribed by a cancer specialist. It is usually taken as one tablet by mouth once a day, with or without food, at about the same time each day. Treatment often continues for several years. Do not stop taking it without speaking to your doctor.

Interactions

• Oestrogen containing medicines (such as hormone replacement therapy or the contraceptive pill) can cancel out its effect and should not be used with it.
• Tamoxifen should not be taken at the same time, as it can reduce the benefit of Anastrozole.
• Tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins and herbal products you use.

Contraindications

• Women who have not yet gone through menopause.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Known allergy to Anastrozole or any ingredient of the tablet.
• Severe kidney or moderate to severe liver disease, unless a specialist decides otherwise.

Side Effects

Common side effects include hot flushes, joint pain or stiffness, tiredness, headache, nausea, skin rash, hair thinning and vaginal dryness. Over time, Anastrozole can thin the bones (osteoporosis), which raises the risk of fractures. It may also raise cholesterol levels. Some people notice mood changes or trouble sleeping.

Get urgent medical help if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction (swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty breathing), a severe skin reaction with blistering or peeling, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or sudden chest pain or breathlessness.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Anastrozole must not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It is meant only for women after menopause. If there is any chance of pregnancy, speak to your doctor before starting treatment.

Precautions and Warnings

• Your doctor may check your bone density before and during treatment and may advise calcium, vitamin D or other bone protecting medicine.
• Cholesterol may be checked during treatment.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems.
• It may cause tiredness or drowsiness; take care when driving if affected.

Overdose

There is little experience of overdose. If a large amount is taken by mistake, contact a doctor or the nearest hospital straight away. Treatment is supportive, based on symptoms.

Therapeutic Class

Hormonal anticancer medicine; non steroidal aromatase inhibitor.

Storage

Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and out of the reach of children.