What side effects are possible with this medication?
A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal
doses. A side effect may be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, but does
not occur in everyone. Not everyone will experience side effects, and which
side effects a person experiences cannot be anticipated.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking
this medication. If you develop any of these side effects (or any other side
effects not listed here) or they change in intensity, speak to your doctor or
pharmacist for advice on managing them and on the risks and benefits of
the medication.
- abdominal pain
- back pain
- bone pain
- constipation
- cough
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- fainting
- flu-like symptoms
- flushing
- headache
- heartburn
- hot flashes
- increased or decreased appetite
- increased cholesterol
- joint pain or stiffness
- muscle stiffness
- nausea or vomiting
- skin rash
- sore throat
- tingling of the hands and feet
- trouble sleeping
- vaginal dryness
- weakness
- weight gain
Click here to learn about serious side effects that can potentially occur with any medication. These examples are provided for information purposes only and are not meant to be exhaustive. Always consult your doctor for sound medical advice specific to your particular medication and treatment.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Be sure to inform your doctor of all your medical conditions before you
begin taking a medication. Some conditions can affect how you should take this
medication.
Kidney or liver disease: It is not known whether moderate or severe
kidney or liver disease increases the chances of side effects during treatment.
People with kidney or liver disease should be closely monitored by their physician
while taking this medication.
Osteoporosis: This medication can increase the risk of osteoporosis (brittle bones). Women who are at risk of osteoporosis should have their bone density tested and may need to start medications or supplements. Talk to your doctor to find out if this applies to you.
Pre-menopausal women: This medication is not recommended for women who
have not yet passed menopause.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless
the benefits outweigh the risks. Although anastrozole has not been studied with
pregnant women (it is intended for use only in women who have passed menopause),
it is suspected that it could cause serious problems, possibly including miscarriage.
If you are taking this medication and have not reached menopause, practice effective
birth control. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact
your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: : It is not known if anastrozole passes into breast
milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it
may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue
breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of this medication have not been
established for children.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
An interaction between medications does not always mean that you must stop
taking one of them. The following medications may affect the way anastrozole
works, be affected by anastrozole, or increase the risk of side effects:
- estrogen-containing products
- tamoxifen
If you are taking any of these or other medications (including non-prescription,
herbal, and supplement products), speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending
on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to change your therapy
or suggest ways of managing any interactions. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine
from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications,
you should let your prescriber know if you use them.