Do NOT use Arimidex if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Arimidex
- you have not gone through menopause
- you are pregnant
- you are taking estrogen (eg, birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy) or tamoxifen
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Arimidex:
Some medical conditions may interact with Arimidex. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of liver problems, osteoporosis (weak bones), heart or blood vessel problems (eg, ischemic heart disease), or high cholesterol or lipid levels
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Arimidex. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Estrogen (eg, birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy) or tamoxifen because they may decrease Arimidex’s effectiveness
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Arimidex may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Arimidex:
Use Arimidex as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- An extra patient information leaflet is available with Arimidex. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
- Take Arimidex by mouth with or without food.
- If you miss a dose of Arimidex, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. If more than one dose is missed, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Arimidex.
Important safety information:
- Arimidex may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Arimidex with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Lab tests, including blood cholesterol, bone mineral density, or liver function tests, may be performed while you use Arimidex. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Arimidex should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Arimidex has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Arimidex while you are pregnant. It is not known if Arimidex is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Arimidex, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Arimidex:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Anxiety; back, bone, breast, joint, or pelvic pain; constipation; cough; diarrhea; dizziness; flu-like symptoms (eg, muscle aches, tiredness); hair loss; headache; hot flashes; loss of appetite; nausea; sore throat; stomach pain or upset; sweating; tingling or burning sensation in the fingers, wrists, or hands; trouble sleeping; vaginal dryness; vomiting; weakness; weight gain.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); calf pain, swelling, or tenderness; chest pain; dark urine; depression; fainting; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; frequent or painful urination; mental or mood changes; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe burning or pain in wrists and hands; severe or persistent bone pain; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain; severe or persistent tiredness or weakness; shortness of breath; speech problems; swelling of the arms or legs; swollen lymph nodes; vaginal bleeding or unusual discharge; vision changes; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact your local Poison Control or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Arimidex:
Store Arimidex at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Arimidex out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Arimidex, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Arimidex is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Arimidex. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.