Anastrozole brands and prices in Pakistan

About Anastrozole

Anastrozole is a hormone medicine for breast cancer, from a group called aromatase inhibitors. After the menopause, the body still makes a small amount of the hormone oestrogen with the help of an enzyme called aromatase. Anastrozole blocks this enzyme, so less oestrogen is made. Many breast cancers need oestrogen to grow, so lowering it can slow them down or help stop them coming back. It is a prescription tablet, and WHO includes it on its Essential Medicines List for breast cancer. Treatment is planned by a specialist breast cancer team, who decide how long it is needed and check on you during treatment.

Who should not take it, or should take care

• Do not take it if you are allergic to anastrozole or any other ingredient in the tablets.
• Do not take it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Tell your doctor if you still have periods and have not been through the menopause.
• Tell your doctor if you have thin or brittle bones (osteoporosis). It is not suitable for people with severe osteoporosis.
• Tell your doctor if you have severe kidney or liver disease, a heart problem, high cholesterol, or have had a stroke.
• The tablets contain lactose. Tell your doctor if you have a lactose allergy or cannot digest some sugars.
• It is not given to children or teenagers.
• Pregnancy and contraception: it is usually only given after the menopause, but some people's periods come back during treatment. If this happens, use reliable contraception and tell your doctor. Talk to your doctor straight away if there is any chance you could be pregnant.
• Breastfeeding: do not breastfeed while taking it, as its hormone effects could affect the baby.

Medicines and drinks that can interact

• Tamoxifen and similar medicines (selective oestrogen receptor modulators): do not take them at the same time as anastrozole, as they may stop it working
• Raloxifene
• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and other medicines that contain oestrogen, including hormonal birth control such as pills, patches, rings and injections
• Any other medicines for menopause symptoms
• Herbal remedies and supplements for menopause symptoms: avoid them, as they may make anastrozole work less well
• LHRH medicines such as goserelin, leuprorelin, triptorelin, buserelin and gonadorelin: tell your doctor if you take any of these
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin, herbal remedy and supplement you take, including ones bought without a prescription

Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, supplement and herbal product you take.

Using it safely

• Take it exactly as your specialist team tells you. It is a long-term treatment and only your specialist can decide how long you need it. Do not stop on your own, even if you feel well.
• Swallow the tablet whole with water. Do not crush or chew it.
• You can take it with or without food. If it makes you feel sick or lowers your appetite, taking it after eating may help.
• If you forget a dose, do not take two doses together to make up for it. Check the leaflet or ask your pharmacist what to do.
• Go to your check-ups. Your team will check your bone strength with bone density (DEXA) scans and your cholesterol during treatment.
• Hot flushes may be eased by cutting down on spicy food, caffeine, smoking and alcohol, and by keeping cool.
• If it makes you very tired or dizzy, do not drive, cycle or use tools or machines until you feel better.
• Tell any doctor, dentist or hospital staff that you take anastrozole.
• Keep it out of the reach of children. Never share it, and return unused tablets to a pharmacy.

Common questions

How does anastrozole work?
It lowers the amount of oestrogen your body makes after the menopause by blocking an enzyme called aromatase. Breast cancers that need oestrogen to grow then lose a source of fuel. It starts lowering oestrogen quickly, but the full effect builds up over time.

Can anastrozole thin my bones?
Yes. Oestrogen helps keep bones strong, so lowering it can cause bone thinning (osteoporosis) and raise the chance of breaking a bone. Your team checks your bones with scans and may prescribe a bone-strengthening medicine. Diet and exercise advice can also help.

Can I drink alcohol while taking anastrozole?
NHS advice says there is no evidence that alcohol causes problems with anastrozole. Some people find alcohol brings on hot flushes or redness, so cutting down may help.

Can it be used to prevent breast cancer?
Yes. In the UK it is licensed to lower the chance of breast cancer in women past the menopause who are at moderate or high risk, such as those with a strong family history. In trials it nearly halved the number of new breast cancers in this group. Talk to a specialist about whether it suits you.

Can I stop or switch if the side effects are hard to cope with?
Do not stop without speaking to your doctor first. Your specialist may suggest a short break or a similar medicine, such as letrozole or exemestane. Some people take tamoxifen first and then move on to anastrozole, but your specialist decides the plan.

Prepared from the sources listed by the MedInfoBase team. General information, not medical advice: it gives no doses. Your doctor or pharmacist decides the medicine and dose for you.