Anastrazole when flying

Dear F1 petrolhead

Thank you for your question. My name is Penelope, and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists. As we are not part of the NHS and do not have access to any medical records, we would always suggest speaking to someone involved in your care for advice tailored to your situation. Your GP or breast care nurse may be able to help with your query. Alternatively you may like to have a more general discussion with a local pharmacist or Boots Macmillan Information Pharmacist.

I can also see that there has been some discussion on the breast cancer forums about stopping tamoxifen prior to flying. The risk of blood clots when flying long haul means that some people may need to take extra precautions. You may have found more recent posts but the ones I found were from several years ago. Taking tamoxifen increases the risk of blood clots as listed in the patient information leaflet here. Therefore, some people may have been recommended to stop taking tamoxifen prior to flying. Anyone taking tamoxifen would be advised to discuss this with their medical team if they have any questions about their medication.

Although they are both used as treatment following a breast cancer diagnosis the potential side effects of tamoxifen and anastrozole are different. Blood clots are not listed in the anastrozole patient information leaflet.  Breast Cancer Now has further information on blood clots in which tamoxifen is mentioned as a treatment that may increase the risk. Anastrozole is not mentioned.

If you have further questions about your medication, you can also contact the company directly. The name of the manufacturer should be on the box and information leaflet. If their contact details are not listed, then you should be able to find them online.  

Best wishes,

Penelope, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

Ref/ KDf