What does anastrozole do to your body?
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.
How long should you be on anastrozole?
The recommended length of time that anastrozole is taken for will depend on your individual situation. People being treated for primary breast cancer will usually take anastrozole for five to ten years. Some people start taking anastrozole after a number of years of taking another hormone therapy drug called tamoxifen.
What is Arimidex used for?
Anastrozole is used to treat breast cancer in women after menopause. Some breast cancers are made to grow faster by a natural hormone called estrogen. Anastrozole decreases the amount of estrogen the body makes and helps to slow or reverse the growth of these breast cancers.
Is anastrozole a form of chemo?
Is anastrozole (Arimidex) a type of chemotherapy? Anastrozole (Arimidex) is considered a hormone therapy rather than a traditional chemotherapy medication. Chemotherapy is used to target and kill cancer cells, whereas anastrozole (Arimidex) is used to lower estrogen in the body.
What are the long term side effects of anastrozole?
Can Arimidex cause long-term side effects that result in permanent damage?
- osteoporosis (bone weakness) or bone fractures.
- depression.
- increased cholesterol levels.
- liver problems.
- hair loss or hair thinning.
Do you gain weight on anastrozole?
Studies have shown that weight gain is not increased in women taking tamoxifen or anastrozole, but it is harder to study the effects of these drugs on a woman’s ability to lose weight. Regardless of the reasons for weight gain, weight loss requires calorie reduction.
Can you be in the sun while taking anastrozole?
If patients have been prescribed an anti-nausea medication, they should be sure to take the prescribed doses. Wear sunscreen and protective clothing and try to minimize sun exposure. Drink plenty of fluids.
Is Arimidex a steroid?
Arimidex is considered an estrogen blocker because it decreases the amount of the hormone estrogen in your body. It isn’t a steroid drug or a type of chemotherapy (traditional drugs used to treat cancer). Arimidex belongs to a class of drugs called aromatase inhibitors.
What type of drug is Arimidex?
In some cases, health care professionals may use the trade name Arimidex® when referring to the generic drug name Anastrozole. Drug Type: Anastrozole is an anti-cancer hormone therapy. This medication is classified as a “non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor” (For more detail see “How Anastrozole Works” below).
Does anastrozole 1mg cause hair loss?
Anastrozole may cause hair thinning or Grade 1 alopecia because of its estrogen lowering effects; however, it is unlikely to cause complete hair loss. Hair thinning due to anastrozole usually improves after the first year of treatment, although some women may experience it for the total duration of treatment.
Can you drink alcohol while taking anastrozole?
Key takeaways: Alcohol can raise your risk of developing breast cancer. It’s best to avoid or limit alcohol intake when using breast cancer medications like anastrozole. Alcohol can raise your risk of experiencing side effects from anastrozole, such as hot flashes or joint pain.
What foods should be avoided with anastrozole?
Avoid raw fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads, cereals, and seeds. Soluble fiber is found in some foods and absorbs fluid, which can help relieve diarrhea.
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