|
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. |
|
• |
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 left 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 |
| |
· |
shortness of breath or coughing; |
| |
· |
swelling or water retention; |
|
• |
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. |
|
Where can I get more information?
|
|
• |
Your pharmacist has additional information about anastrozole
written for health professionals that you may read. |
|
• |
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach
of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed. |
|
• |
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information
provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and
complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information
contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been
compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United
States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the
United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or
recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational
resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring
for their patients and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a
supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge
and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a
given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate
that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for
any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any
aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum
provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all
possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions,
allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the
drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.03. Revision
Date: 1/ 23/ 04. |