Important Safety Information
Anastrozole is contraindicated in patients who have shown hypersensitivity to the drug or its excipients, including anaphylaxis, angioedema, and urticaria. Anastrozole can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman, and females of reproductive potential should use effective contraception during therapy.
In women with pre-existing ischemic heart disease, an increased incidence of ischemic cardiovascular events was observed with anastrozole compared to tamoxifen. The risk-benefit of anastrozole therapy should be considered in such patients.
Important
Non-Medical Use
Anastrozole's approved indications are limited to breast cancer treatment in postmenopausal women. Use for bodybuilding, performance enhancement, or managing steroid side effects falls outside approved medical indications and is associated with risks including bone density loss, lipid changes, and symptoms of estrogen deficiency.
Potential Adverse Effects
The most common adverse reactions in clinical trials include hot flashes, asthenia, arthritis, pain, arthralgia, pharyngitis, hypertension, depression, nausea and vomiting, rash, osteoporosis, fractures, back pain, insomnia, headache, peripheral edema and lymphedema. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurred at a higher incidence in anastrozole-treated patients compared to tamoxifen.
Anastrozole reduces bone mineral density and increases fracture risk. In the ATAC trial, patients receiving anastrozole had a mean decrease in both lumbar spine and total hip bone mineral density. Elevated serum cholesterol was also reported more frequently with anastrozole than tamoxifen.
Conditions Requiring Medical Evaluation
Anastrozole therapy is not appropriate for everyone. Medical evaluation should consider bone health status, lipid profiles, and cardiovascular risk factors. Patients with pre-existing ischemic heart disease should be evaluated for the risk-benefit of anastrozole therapy.
Anastrozole should not be used in combination with tamoxifen, as no additional benefit was seen over tamoxifen monotherapy, and estrogen-containing products may diminish anastrozole activity.
Monitoring During Therapy
Medically supervised anastrozole therapy typically involves periodic assessment of bone mineral density and lipid profiles. For non-medical use, monitoring of estrogen levels and related markers may help inform dosing decisions, though this should be done in consultation with healthcare professionals where possible.
Laboratory testing of the product itself, such as a published potency report, is separate from clinical monitoring of the person using anastrozole. No published laboratory report is available for this specific product.
Product Care
Storage & Handling
Store in the original packaging, protected from excessive heat, moisture and direct light. Keep all medications out of the reach of children. Follow the storage instructions provided with the product packaging.
Further Safety Information