Anastrozole is used in the treatment of breast cancer. It is used with other treatments such as surgery or radiation to treat breast cancer in women who have attained menopause.
How Anastrozole works
Anastrozole is an aromatase inhibitor. It works by lowering the amount of estrogen (natural female hormone) produced in the body. This can lower or stop the growth of some breast cancer cells that need estrogen to grow.
Common side effects of Anastrozole
Headache, Nausea, Osteoporosis, Weakness, Diarrhea, Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), Joint inflammation, Joint pain, Muscle pain, Rash, Vaginal bleeding, Vaginal dryness, Vomiting, Decreased appetite, Sleepiness, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Sensory disturbance, Hot flushes, Increased alkaline phosphatase level in blood, Increased alanine aminotransferase, Increased aspartate aminotransferase, Hair loss, Allergic reaction, Bone pain
