Side effects
The following adverse reactions may occur while taking Arimidex:
- hives
- difficult breathing
- swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
- shortness of breath (even with mild exertion)
- a bone fracture
- swollen glands
- nausea
- vomiting
- upper stomach pain
- itching
- tired feeling
- loss of appetite
- dark urine
- clay-colored stools
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- sudden numbness or weakness
- headache
- slurred speech
- blurred vision
- fever
- sore throat
- numbness or tingly feeling in your skin
- swelling in your ankles or feet
- joint pain or stiffness
- depression, mood changes, sleep problems (insomnia)
This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Before taking Arimidex
You should not use this medication if:
- You are allergic to Anastrozole or any of the drug's excipients.
- You are breastfeeding a baby.
- You have not yet completed menopause.
To make sure Arimidex is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- Heart disease.
- Circulation problems.
- History of stroke or blood clot.
- Severe liver disease.
- High cholesterol.
- Osteoporosis or low bone mineral density.
This medicine can decrease bone mineral density, which may increase your risk of developing osteoporosis. Your bone mineral density may need to be tested before and during treatment with Anastrozole.
Although it is not likely that a postmenopausal woman would be pregnant, the use of Arimidex could harm an unborn baby. Do not take the drug if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Use effective birth control if you are not past menopause, and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether Anastrozole passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breastfeed while you are using Anastrozole.
The medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
What other drugs will affect Arimidex?
The medicine may not work as well if you take it together with an estrogen medication (such as hormone replacement therapy, estrogen creams, or birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings). Before you start taking Arimidex, tell your doctor if you also take tamoxifen or estrogen.
Other drugs may interact with Arimidex, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all the medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.