Anastrozole for breast cancer
Name: Anastrozole for breast cancer
Can anastrozole cause problems?
Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with anastrozole. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.
| Common anastrozole side-effects | What can I do if I experience this? |
| Hot flushes | Try to keep cool by wearing light, airy clothes |
| Feeling or being sick, loss of appetite | Stick to simple meals - avoid rich or spicy foods |
| Feeling weak or sleepy | This can happen when you first start treatment but quickly settles. Do not drive or use tools or machines if affected |
| Headache | Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable painkiller |
| Diarrhoea | Drink plenty of water to replace the lost fluids |
| Skin rash, joint aches and pains, vaginal dryness or bleeding, hair thinning, carpal tunnel syndrome | If any of these become troublesome, speak with your doctor for advice |
If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the tablets, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.