Arimidex 1mg Film Coated Tablets
Out of date information, search another1. What ARIMIDEX is and what it is used for
PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER Arimidex® 1mg Film-coated Tablets (anastrozole)
Your medicine is known as the above but will be referred to as Arimidex throughout the remainder of this leaflet.
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, or pharmacist or nurse.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, or pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
What is in this leaflet
1. What Arimidex is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Arimidex
3. How to take Arimidex
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Arimidex
6. Contents of the pack and other information
Do not take Arimidex if you are already taking any of the
following medicines:
- Certain medicines used to treat breast cancer (selective estrogen receptor modulators), e.g. medicines that contain tamoxifen. This is because these medicines may stop Arimidex from working properly.
- Medicines that contain estrogen, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
If this applies to you, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the following:
- A medicine known as an 'LHRH analogue'. This includes gonadorelin, buserelin, goserelin, leuprorelin and triptorelin. These medicines are used to treat breast cancer, certain female health (gynaecological) conditions, and infertility.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Do not take Arimidex if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stop
Arimidex if you become pregnant and talk to your doctor.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
Arimidex is not likely to affect your ability to drive or use any tools or machines. However, some people may occasionally feel weak or sleepy while taking Arimidex. If this happens to you, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Arimidex contains a substance called anastrozole. This belongs to a group of medicines called 'aromatase inhibitors'. Arimidex is used to treat breast cancer in women who have gone through the menopause.
Arimidex works by cutting down the amount of the hormone called estrogen that your body makes. It does this by blocking a natural substance (an enzyme) in your body called 'aromatase'.
Arimidex contains
Arimidex contains lactose which is a type of sugar. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
3.
The following is a translation of the days of the week which appear on the blister strip:
Do not take Arimidex
- if you are allergic to anastrozole or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
- if you are pregnant or breast-feeding (see the section called 'Pregnancy and breast-feeding').
Do not take Arimidex if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Arimidex.
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Always take Arimidex exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
- The recommended dose is one tablet once a day.
- Try to take your tablet at the same time each day.
- Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water.
- It does not matter if you take Arimidex before, with or after food.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor, or pharmacist or nurse before treatment with Arimidex.
- if you still have menstrual periods and have not yet gone through the menopause.
- if you are taking a medicine that contains tamoxifen or medicines that contain estrogen (see the section called 'Taking other medicines').
- if you have ever had a condition that affects the strength of your bones (osteoporosis).
- if you have problems with your liver or kidneys.
If you are not sure if any of the above applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Arimidex.
If you go into the hospital, let the medical staff know you are taking Arimidex.
Other medicines and Arimidex
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines. This includes medicines that you buy without a prescription and herbal medicines. This is because Arimidex can affect the way some medicines work and some medicines can have an effect on Arimidex.
Keep taking Arimidex for as long as your doctor or pharmacist tells you to. It is a long-term treatment and you may need to take it for several years. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Use in children and adolescents
Arimidex should not be given to children and adolescents.
If you take more Arimidex than you should
If you take more Arimidex than you should, talk to a doctor straight away.
If you forget to take Arimidex
If you forget to take a dose, just take your next dose as normal. Do not take a double dose (two doses at the same time) to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop taking Arimidex
Do not stop taking your tablets unless your doctor tells you to.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.