What is it used for?
Arimidex is used to treat breast cancer in women after the change of life (menopause). Arimidex does not kill cancer cells. Rather, it stops or slows their growth.
Contraindications and cautions:
You must tell your doctor if:
1. You have allergies to:
o Arimidex (if you have taken this medicine previously and experienced an allergic reaction).
o any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
o If you have an allergic type reaction, you may have trouble breathing, skin rash or hay fever.
2. You have the following medical conditions:
o any disease or disorder which affects your kidney or liver.
If you have any of these conditions it may not be appropriate for you to take Arimidex.
Do not use Arimidex if you have not yet experienced menopause or if you are a child. We do not know if Arimidex is safe for these patients.
Do not use Arimidex if you are pregnant or breastfeeding your baby.
Side effects:
As with all medicines, undesirable effects are sometimes experienced. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not.
Some people taking Arimidex have noticed the following side effects, however you may not experience any of them:
• hot flushes
• thinning of the hair
• vaginal dryness
• anorexia (loss of appetite)
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• feeling weak
• headache
• joint pain or joint stiffness
• sleepiness
• skin rash
• vaginal bleeding (usually in the first few weeks of treatment)
• allergic reactions, such as hives or nettle-rash
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• trigger finger (where your fingers or your thumb catches in a bent position)
Occasionally, some people having Arimidex have had slight increases in cholesterol (blood fat). Some breast cancer patients may experience changes in their liver.
Interactions: Taking another medicine while you are taking Arimidex tablets can affect how it or the other medicine works. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, even those you may have bought yourself without a prescription. Please check with your doctor if you are taking medicines which contain oestrogen.
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