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Arimidex®
(anastrozole)
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ARIMIDEX:
The information in this leaflet applied only to your medicine, Arimidex, please
read it carefully. It gives you important information but it can’t tell you
everything. If you have any questions, or are not sure about anything, ask your
doctor or pharmacist.
WHAT IS YOUR MEDICINE?
Arimidex comes in tablets and each tablet contains 1mg of anastrozole. Each
tablet contains a number of inactive ingredients which allow it to be made.
These are lactose, macrogel, magnesium sterate, methylhydroxypropylcellulose,
polyvidone, sodium starch glycollate and titanium dioxide. Arimidex comes in
blister packs of 28 tablets. Arimidex belongs to a group of medicines called
aromatase inhibitors. This means that it interferes with some of the actions of
aromatase, an enzyme within the body which affects the level of certain female
sex hormones, such as estrogens.
WHAT IS YOUR MEDICINE FOR?
Arimidex is used to treat breast cancer in post-menopausal women.
WHEN SHOULD ARIMIDEX NOT BE USED?
Arimidex must not be taken by pre-menopausal women, pregnant women or
mothers who are breast feeding their babies. Arimidex must not be taken by
patients with certain disorders or diseases which affect the liver or kidneys.
Arimidex must not be taken by patients who are taking estrogen-containing
medicines, for example hormone replacement therapy. Arimidex should not be given
to children. Arimidex should not be used if you ever had an allergic reaction to
Arimidex or to any particular ingredient. The tablets are only for you and must
never be given to anyone else.
WHAT PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN WITH ARIMIDEX?
Before taking your medicine, tell your doctor if you are taking any other
medicines including those which you have bought, if you are suffering from any
disorder or disease which affects your liver or kidneys. Your tablets are
unlikely to adversely affect your ability to drive a car or to operate
machinery. However, some patients may occasionally feel weak or sleepy. If this
happens to you, ask your doctor for advice. If you go into hospital let the
medical staff know you are taking Arimidex. As mentioned earlier your tablets
contain lactose, sodium starch glycollate and titanium dioxide which may cause a
problem in a small number of patients who are sensitive to them. Only stop
taking your tablets if your doctor tells you.
HOW SHOULD I TAKE MY ARIMIDEX?
Follow your doctor’s instructions about when and how to take your tablets.
Please read the label on the container. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are
not sure. The usual adult dose is one tablet taken daily. Swallow the tablet
whole with a drink of water. Try to take your tablet at the same time each day.
You should take Arimidex as prescribed. However, if you miss a dose do not take
an extra dose, just resume your usual schedule. If you take more than your
normal dose contact your doctor or nearest hospital. Do not stop taking your
tablets, even if you are feeling well, unless your doctor tells you.
WHAT UNDESIRABLE EVENTS MAY BE EXPERIENCED WITH ARIMIDEX?
As with all medicines, undesirable events are sometimes experienced. With
Arimidex these may include; hot flushes, thinning of the hair, vaginal dryness,
anorexia (loss of appetite), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, feeling weak, headache,
sleepiness, skin rash, vaginal bleeding (usually in the first few weeks of
treatment). Do not be alarmed by this list of possible events. You may not have
any of them. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you think you have any of these
or any other problems with your tablets.
HOW SHOULD I STORE ARIMIDEX?
You should keep your tablets below 30 degrees Celsius. Keep your tablets in
the container they came in. If your doctor decides to stop your treatment,
return any left over tablets to your pharmacist. Do not take your tablets after
the expiry date on the container. Keep your tablets in a safe place where
children cannot see or reach them. Your tablets could harm them.
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