The drinking of alcohol (in small amounts) does not appear to affect the safety or usefulness of anastrozole. Anastrozole has lactose in it. The amount is very small but may rarely cause some gastric upset in persons who are lactose intolerant.
Why is alcohol bad for breast cancer?
Alcohol can increase levels of estrogen and other hormones associated with breast cancer. Alcohol users are more likely to have increased amounts of folic acid in their systems, which can lead to increased cancer risk.
What can you not take with anastrozole?
Before taking anastrozole,
Be sure to mention any of the following: medications that contain estrogen such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, and injections); raloxifene (Evista); and tamoxifen (Nolvadex).
What are the long term side effects of anastrozole?
Side effects of anastrozole (Arimidex)
- aching or pain in the joints and muscles.
- menopausal symptoms.
- low mood and depression.
- difficulty sleeping.
- fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- osteoporosis (thinning of the bone)
When is the best time of day to take anastrozole?
Anastrozole is taken as a tablet once a day, with or without food. It’s best to take it at the same time every day. If you miss a dose, you don’t need to take an extra dose the next day. The level of drug in your body will remain high enough from the day before.
What type of breast cancer is caused by alcohol?
Drinking alcohol increases estrogen levels in the body. Some health experts believe that through this pathway, alcohol may increase the risk of estrogen sensitive cancers. This includes estrogen receptor positive (ER-positive) breast cancer, the most common type of breast cancer.
What cancer is linked to alcohol?
We know that alcohol increases the risk for several cancers, including oral cancer, pharynx and larynx cancers, colorectal and esophageal cancers, as well as liver and breast cancers.
Is anastrozole worth taking?
Based on a woman’s individual circumstances regarding her breast cancer, her overall health and other medical conditions, taking a medication such as anastrozole can decrease the chance of breast cancer recurring by about 7 to 10 percent. Some people have significant side effects when taking anastrozole.
Can anastrozole affect your eyesight?
Based on analysis of OCT retinal thickness data, it is likely that anastrozole increases the tractional force between the vitreous and retina. Consequently, AI users, myopic AI users particularly, might be at increased risk for traction-related vision loss.
Does anastrozole make you gain weight?
Studies have shown that weight gain is not increased in women taking tamoxifen or anastrozole, but it is harder to study the effects of these drugs on a woman’s ability to lose weight. Regardless of the reasons for weight gain, weight loss requires calorie reduction.
Can I stop anastrozole cold turkey?
Once your treatment team has decided that you can stop taking Arimidex, you can stop it completely; you won’t need to taper down the dose gradually.
Can anastrozole cause memory problems?
A pattern of decline in working memory and concentration with initial exposure to anastrozole was observed. Women receiving anastrozole alone had a second deterioration in working memory and concentration from 12 to 18 months after therapy initiation.
Do side effects of anastrozole go away?
Some side effects of anastrozole may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
How can I lose weight while taking anastrozole?
Some ways to lose weight include:
- Count calories.
- Calories should be in the form of nutritious foods, such as fruits and vegetables, not sweets, alcohol, or white bread.
- Avoid or limit alcohol.
- Get moving – try to exercise for at least an hour on four days of the week, more if this is possible.
Does anastrozole make you tired?
When you start to take anastrozole, you may feel tired, drowsy, or feel like you have no energy. Try to pace yourself until this improves. It is important to strike the correct balance between getting enough rest and staying physically active.
How long does anastrozole stay in your system?
Studies in postmenopausal women demonstrated that anastrozole is extensively metabolized with about 10% of the dose excreted in the urine as unchanged drug within 72 hours of dosing, and the remainder (about 60% of the dose) is excreted in urine as metabolites.