What is the most important
information I should know about anastrozole?
• Before taking anastrozole, tell your doctor if you have any
other medical conditions or if you take other medications. You may not be
able to take anastrozole, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special
monitoring during treatment.
What is anastrozole?
• Anastrozole blocks the use of estrogen by certain types of
breast cancer that require estrogen to grow.
• Anastrozole is used to treat breast cancer.
• Anastrozole may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide.
Who should not take anastrozole?
• Before taking anastrozole, tell your doctor if you have any
other medical conditions or if you take other medications. You may not be
able to take anastrozole, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special
monitoring during treatment.
• Anastrozole is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means
that anastrozole is known to harm an unborn baby. Do not take anastrozole
if you are pregnant.
• It is not known whether anastrozole passes into breast milk.
Do not take anastrozole if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take anastrozole?
• Take anastrozole exactly as directed by your doctor. If you
do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor
to explain them to you.
• Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
• Anastrozole is usually taken once a day. Follow your doctor's
instructions.
• Anastrozole can be taken with or without food.
• Store anastrozole at room temperature away from moisture and
heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if
it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only
your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication
unless your doctor directs otherwise.
What happens if I overdose?
• An overdose of anastrozole is unlikely to threaten life. Call
an emergency room or a poison control center for advice if you suspect that
a very large dose of anastrozole has been ingested.
What should I avoid while taking anastrozole?
• There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activities
while taking anastrozole unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
What are the possible side effects of anastrozole?
• Stop taking anastrozole and seek emergency medical attention
if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of
your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives) to anastrozole.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to take anastrozole and talk to your doctor if you experience
diarrhea; nausea or vomiting; constipation;
weakness; muscle or bone pain; headache; hot flashes; shortness of breath
or coughing; dizziness; swelling or water retention; loss of appetite; vaginal
dryness; weight gain; or rash.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur.
Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect anastrozole?
• There are no known interactions between anastrozole and other
medications. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines during treatment with anastrozole.
What is the most important
information I should know about exemestane?
• Exemestane should not be taken if you are premenopausal or
if you are taking other medicines that contain estrogen.
What is exemestane?
• Exemestane decreases estrogen levels in postmenopausal women.
Certain types of breast cancer require estrogen to grow.
• Exemestane is used to treat some types of estrogen-requiring
breast cancer in postmenopausal women whose disease has progressed following
tamoxifen (Nolvadex) therapy.
• Exemestane may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide.
Who should not take exemestane?
• Exemestane should not be taken if you are premenopausal or
if you are taking other medicines that contain estrogen.
• Before taking exemestane, tell your doctor if you have liver
or kidney disease. You may not be able to take exemestane, or you may require
a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment.
• Exemestane is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means
that exemestane is known to harm an unborn baby. Do not take exemestane without
first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
• It is not known whether exemestane passes into breast milk.
Do not take exemestane without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take exemestane?
• Take exemestane exactly as directed by your doctor. If you
do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor
to explain them to you.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Exemestane is usually taken once a day after a meal. Follow
your doctor's instructions.
• Store exemestane at room temperature away from moisture and
heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if
it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only
your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication
unless your doctor directs otherwise.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention.
• Symptoms of an exemestane overdose are not known.
What should I avoid while taking exemestane?
• There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity
while taking exemestane unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
What are the possible side effects of exemestane?
• Stop taking exemestane and seek emergency medical attention
if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of
your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives) to exemestane.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Notify your doctor if you experience
increased sweating, fatigue, swelling or
water retention, hot flashes, depression or anxiety, insomnia, abdominal
pain, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, dizziness or headache,
changes in appetite, shortness of breath or coughing, or flu-like symptoms.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur.
Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect exemestane?
• There are no known significant interactions between exemestane
and other medicines. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any
other prescription or over-the-counter medicines while taking exemestane
