Arimidex

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Jul 07, 2022

Warnings

What are the risks of taking Arimidex?

Arimidex can cause serious health problems and adverse reactions, especially in certain high-risk patients. Please talk with your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options if these are a concern for you.

Heart disease: Arimidex can increase the risk of ischemic heart disease and other heart problems, especially in patients with a history of heart disease. Seek immediate medical help if you experience worsening chest pain or shortness of breath while taking Arimidex.
Osteoporosis: Women taking Arimidex can develop low bone mineral density and osteoporosis (weak or brittle bones) after taking the medication for a long time. Low bone mineral density puts you at risk of bone fractures. If you need to take Arimidex hormone therapy, talk with your doctor about getting a bone mineral density test to check for osteoporosis. Your doctor may prescribe medication to improve the quality of your bones.
High cholesterol: Arimidex treatment in a postmenopausal woman can lead to high cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. A healthy diet and exercise can help to bring cholesterol numbers down. Talk with your doctor about taking a medication to lower cholesterol if diet and exercise are not enough.
Risk during pregnancy: Since Arimidex is prescribed to postmenopausal women, pregnancy is unlikely. However, should you become pregnant while taking Arimidex, tell your doctor. This medication can be harmful to the unborn baby. Premenopausal women who can still get pregnant should use effective birth control while taking Arimidex and continue the birth control for at least 3 weeks after the last Arimidex dose.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options if you are at risk of complications from Arimidex use.

What should I tell my doctor before taking Arimidex?

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to anastrozole (Arimidex), any ingredients in Arimidex, or any other medications.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Arimidex may not be suitable for people with certain health conditions such as heart disease, liver disease, osteoporosis, or high cholesterol.

Give your doctor a complete list of your current medications, including over-the-counter and prescription drugs, dietary supplements and vitamins, and herbal products. This can help avoid serious drug interactions between Arimidex and other medicines.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant in the near future, or if you are breastfeeding. Arimidex can harm the unborn baby if a pregnant woman takes this medication.

What precautions should I take while taking Arimidex?

Keep all appointments with your health care professional. Continue taking anastrozole (Arimidex) even if you feel well. Don’t stop taking anastrozole (Arimidex) without talking with your doctor first.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Arimidex. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you develop signs and symptoms of allergic reactions, chest pain, trouble breathing, or liver inflammation (see above).

What are Arimidex interactions?

Taking anastrozole (Arimidex) with some other medications can affect how the drug works or increase the risk of serious adverse reactions. Your doctor may choose a different medication, change the dose or frequency of your medicines, and/or monitor you carefully for side effects if there are known drug interactions. There can be interactions between Arimidex and other drugs, such as:

Hormone replacement therapy or drugs containing estrogen
Hormonal contraceptives such as birth control pills, rings, patches, and injections
Tamoxifen (Nolvadex)
Raloxifene (Evista)

This list does not describe all possible Arimidex interactions. Give your healthcare providers a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, vitamins, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription drugs.

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