Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Micromedex

US Brand Name

  1. Arimidex


Anastrozole is used to treat certain types of breast cancer in women who have already stopped menstruating (postmenopausal). It is also used for women who have already had other cancer treatments (e.g., tamoxifen).

Many breast cancer tumors grow in response to estrogen. This medicine interferes with the production of estrogen in the body. As a result, the amount of estrogen that the tumor is exposed to is reduced, limiting the growth of the tumor.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, anastrozole is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:

  • Breast cancer, neoadjuvant treatment for hormone receptor-positive, operable or potentially operable, locally advanced disease in postmenopausal women (treatment for advanced breast cancer that may respond to surgery in women who have already stopped menstruating).

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

  • Tablet

Before Using





Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of anastrozole in children.


Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of anastrozole in the elderly.


Information about this anastrozole-oral-route
Pregnancy Category Explanation



Drug Interactions



  • Tamoxifen

Other Interactions


Other Medical Problems


  • Bone problems (osteoporosis) or
  • Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol or fat in the blood) or
  • Ischemic heart disease (heart attack, angina), history of, or
  • Premenopausal women (have menstrual cycles)—Should not be used in these patients.

Proper Use


You may take this medicine with or without food.

Anastrozole sometimes causes nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. However, it is very important that you continue to use the medicine, even if you begin to feel ill. Ask your doctor for ways to prevent these effects or make them less severe.





  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    • For breast cancer:
      • Adults—1 milligram (mg) once a day.

Missed Dose




Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.







This medicine may increase your cholesterol or fat in the blood. If this happens, your doctor may give you medicine to lower the cholesterol and fat.

Stop taking this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you start having chest pains or shortness of breath. This medicine may increase the chance of heart attack or stroke in women who have a history of ischemic heart disease.

Side Effects



More common

  1. Blurred vision
  2. chest pain or discomfort
  3. dizziness
  4. headache
  5. nervousness
  6. pounding in the ears
  7. shortness of breath
  8. slow or fast heartbeat
  9. swelling of the feet or lower legs

Less common

  1. Arm, back, or jaw pain
  2. chest tightness or heaviness
  3. cough or hoarseness
  4. difficult or painful urination
  5. dizziness, severe
  6. fever or chills
  7. headache, continuing
  8. increased blood pressure
  9. lower back or side pain
  10. nausea
  11. pain, tenderness, bluish color, or swelling of the foot or leg
  12. sore throat
  13. sudden shortness of breath
  14. sweating
  15. unusual tiredness or weakness
  16. vaginal bleeding (unexpected and heavy)

Incidence not known

  1. Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
  2. hives
  3. itching, puffiness, or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  5. red skin lesions, often with a purple center
  7. welts


More common

  1. Acid or sour stomach
  2. back pain
  3. belching
  4. body aches or pain
  5. bone pain
  6. congestion
  7. constipation
  8. decrease in height
  9. diarrhea
  10. dry mouth
  11. dryness or soreness of the throat
  12. feeling of warmth
  13. fever
  14. flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
  15. heartburn
  16. hot flashes
  17. increased appetite
  18. indigestion
  19. lack or loss of strength
  20. loss of appetite
  21. mood or mental changes
  22. pain in the back, ribs, arms, or legs
  23. pain, general
  24. pelvic pain
  25. runny nose
  26. skin rash
  27. stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
  28. tender, swollen glands in the neck
  29. trouble in swallowing
  30. voice changes
  31. vomiting
  32. weakness
  33. weight loss

Less common

  1. Anxiety and confusion
  2. breast pain
  3. chills
  4. cough producing mucus
  5. difficulty breathing
  6. dryness of the vagina
  7. general feeling of discomfort or illness
  8. itching of the skin
  9. joint pain and stiffness
  10. loss of hair
  11. muscle pain
  12. numbness or tingling of the hands or feet
  13. shivering
  14. sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
  15. trouble sleeping or sleeplessness
  16. weight gain
  17. wheezing

