Women at high risk of breast cancer typically take anastrozole after starting on tamoxifen therapy to reduce their chances of it returning.
Aromatase inhibitors prevent your body from producing estrogen and may cause side effects such as hot flushes, fatigue or low mood; these typically subside over time.
1. Change Your Diet
If you are taking anastrozole to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence, it is vital that you continue with your treatment plan. While the medicine takes effect and reduces levels of oestrogen, you may experience menopause symptoms as your body adjusts; if these bother you please speak with a healthcare provider or breast cancer nurse immediately for advice.
Some individuals taking anastrozole find their appetite decreases when taking the drug, possibly as a side effect or due to menopause symptoms. If this is happening to you, try eating smaller meals more frequently and drinking plenty of water throughout the day so as to prevent dehydration and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids – additionally you could consider supplementing with multivitamin and fatty acid supplements to support overall health and wellbeing.
Anastrozole may cause increased blood cholesterol and heart issues, which should be of particular concern if you have a history of heart disease or high blood pressure. Your healthcare team will monitor both during treatment.
Anastrozole should never be taken during pregnancy or planning to become pregnant as it can seriously harm a developing baby. Instead, use effective contraception measures and notify your physician as soon as your periods change or you suspect you could possibly be expecting.
Anastrozole works by blocking aromatase, an enzyme responsible for turning certain androgens into estrogen, to stop hormone receptor positive breast cancers that are stimulated by estrogen from growing. It may also be used to treat non-hormone sensitive cancers or help shrink large tumors before surgery; additionally it has also been successfully used against breast cancer that has spread outside the breast area.
2. Get Plenty of Rest
An adverse side effect of anastrozole may include fatigue. You can help manage it by eating healthily, resting well and exercising regularly, as well as avoiding substances which interfere with its effectiveness such as hormone replacement therapy or medicines to relieve menopausal symptoms that contain ingredients similar to estrogen which could prevent anastrozole from working effectively.
Your physician should direct you to take anastrozole at a set time each day. To make it easier to remember, try and take it at roughly the same time each day; otherwise you risk increasing your risk of serious side effects by trying to catch up later.
Most of anastrozole’s side effects, including hot flashes, nausea and vomiting, pain, and tiredness typically appear soon after beginning treatment and tend to ease off over several months. Other adverse reactions, including high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels or osteoporosis (brittle bones), may take longer for their effects to surface but your doctor will be monitoring you carefully during therapy in case additional medication is required for improvement.
Anastrozole can significantly lower the likelihood of cancer recurrence; if you decide to stop taking it, consult your specialist before doing so as this could require ongoing monitoring for signs that it has returned as well as possibly beginning another hormone medicine treatment regimen.
3. Exercise
Help ease the side effects of anastrozole by getting plenty of exercise and drinking lots of fluids such as water and juice. Be wary, however, as strenuous exercise could increase your risk of heart attack or stroke. If chest pain or difficulty breathing arise, seek medical advice immediately.
Anastrozole (an-ass-tro-zol) works by inhibiting aromatase enzyme, which converts other androgens to estrogen, thus blocking its impact. You may take this treatment by mouth or as injection; generally speaking it should last five years and blood tests will be performed both before starting it and throughout it.
Anastrozole should be taken according to your physician’s directions and, should you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember – not twice! Your physician will monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol and bone density while on treatment.
Some men may experience hot flashes or difficulty sleeping while taking anastrozole; these side effects should subside after several months of therapy. Cigarette smoke may exacerbate these symptoms further.
If you find that taking anastrozole leaves you feeling fatigued, try going to sleep and rising at the same time each day. Additionally, avoid caffeine as this can increase symptoms of fatigue.
4. Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of fluids when exercising outdoors in hot weather or the heat. These include water, tea and coffee as well as fruit juice and milk – aim for 8 glasses daily and remember to bring a water bottle with you – carrying one in the car can be useful to reminding yourself to drink! Adding fresh fruit, fruit infused waters or prepackaged packets of flavor drinks can add extra flair.
Menopause symptoms, including hot flushes, difficulty sleeping and tiredness typically improve after starting anastrozole treatment; if symptoms continue or become severe consult your physician. Consider using a cool mist humidifier or spraying your face with water during hotter times of the day to alleviate some of these symptoms.
Anastrozole works by decreasing the amount of estrogen produced in your body, which in turn may slow or stop certain breast cancers from growing further and may make others grow more slowly. If periods return during treatment, please discuss contraception options with your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Anastrozole comes as a tablet that you take orally, with or without food. Make sure to follow your doctor’s instructions regarding dosage and timing; take it according to their advice on when and how much to take; you may be instructed to combine anastrozole with other medications or with folic acid supplements as necessary; birth control must also be used during and for some time after treatment has ended; your doctor will conduct tests to monitor progress against breast cancer growth; however pregnant and breastfeeding women are not advised to use anastrozole;
5. Get Plenty of Sleep
No matter how tired you may feel while taking anastrozole, a good night’s rest will help ease you through treatment. If you find it hard to fall asleep at night, try relaxing, reading a book or listening to soothing music to unwind before bed. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and heavy meals prior to sleep for best results; keeping a regular schedule also promotes restful slumber. If fatigue persists throughout treatment or develops suddenly and substantially, consult your physician as it could indicate an underlying health problem or condition that needs immediate attention.
Anastrozole side effects like hot flashes, tiredness and thinning hair should begin to lessen within days or weeks of starting treatment, while others such as high blood pressure, cholesterol levels or osteoporosis may take months or years to develop. Your physician will closely monitor you to assess any necessary medical attention.
If you are experiencing low mood or depression, it is essential that you seek assistance and support. Depression and anxiety may be side effects of cancer treatments as well as menopausal symptoms like hot flushes and difficulty sleeping; in such instances it would be wise to speak with either your physician or breast cancer nurse for advice.
Anastrozole is rarely prescribed to treat breast cancer in men; however, it may be given to postmenopausal women at risk due to family history who require medication that blocks estrogen; this includes antiestrogens such as Arimidex. Anastrozole should only ever be used alongside other treatments designed to stop your ovaries working effectively – using reliable contraception and notifying your doctor immediately should periods start again or you think you could possibly be pregnant is important!
