Anastrozole Sudden Side Effects

Hi Jediknight

I'm on Anastrozole and yes, I do believe the side effects can hit very quickly with different brands.

I was initially prescribed Accord and only get rare stiffness with these which might be down to normal aches and pains as we get older (plus I had a bad road accident when I was 17 and if I do too much my joints can ache).

 One month I was given a different brand and within 2 days - boy did I notice the difference!  So, as I had some Accord left I changed to Accord and lo and behold within a day or so, I was fine.  So, to test my theory, I took the other brand after 3 days and 'bang' 2 days later - stiffness in my joints.  

From that, I wrote to my Doctors and he now has "Accord Brand Only" on my prescription slip and I won't touch another brand again.

Having 'tested' the other tablets I am convinced that a couple of days is enough to kick in the side effects.  As you've had problems with the Accord previously, then if it was me, I would go back to the brand that you've been fine on as the 2 days of Accord fits with my testing of the other brand I was on - 2-3 days on them and it hit.

Hope this helps,  

Thanks Lesleyhelen for your reply and for your experiment results ! I think I will stick with he teva and hopefully SE will go soon. Fingers crossed !

I just wanted to update everybody on my progress with my anastrozole side-effects. I have been meaning to do this for ages but it’s a good sign really that I got back to life and kept forgetting !

I was having the most dreadful side-effects from anastrozole that literally came on pretty much overnight. I had been taking the Teva brand for seven months with no problems whatsoever then one day I started to get weird cramping in my hands. My hand would curve inwards at the wrist almost like a spasm, but no pain . I was also getting pins and needles in my forearms. Then the sensation changed in my legs. I found it hard to to walk as soon as I stood up , I needed a few seconds just standing with a little support before I could get going. Quite bad numbness in my feet too which made walking difficult. I had trouble pushing myself up out of chairs and sofas , swinging my legs in and out of my car and getting in and out of taxis. It was all really peculiar. I had great difficulty getting up and down stairs to the point that I avoided using stairs in shops when I was on my own in case I just got stuck halfway up ! I had no strength in my hands. I couldn’t press down the button on my perfume bottle couldn’t squeeze toothpaste out of the tube couldn’t turn the pepper grinder! I know this all sounds very depressing but I was convinced it was the Teva so I stopped taking it and swapped back to Accord. This had previously given me a little bit of stiffness in my knees which is why I swapped brands but oh how I will wished my only problem was knee stiffness!

It took a little while for it all to get out of my system as anastrozole has an approximate 50 hours half life and can take up to 10 days if not a little longer to complete go. I’m pleased to say that I am now almost completely back to normal, probably took 3-4 weeks. My hands are still a little bit funny but I only notice it when trying to text on my phone so I now use the dictate button for most things which is a bit lazy but quick ! I also started taking magnesium. I take it approx 3 times a week just to keep my levels topped up.

If anyone out there is really struggling with anastrozole I know we all say it but please change your brand ! Like I said my side-effects happened after seven months on the Teva brand with no previous problems. Everyone is different and some brands work better for others so just take a little time to find what works best for you. It was very weird and for the first time made me appreciate why some people stop taking anastrozole. Up until that point I could never really understand why someone wouldn’t take a drug that’s potentially saving their life - but I now get it!

Good luck out there . X 

Hi Jediknight,

Im on Letozole, I’ve had three different brands not on purpose just whatever the chemist could supply. I have aching and stiffness in the morning as you described which doesn’t last long. My fingers are awful first thing I can’t curl them into a fist straight away. I used Accord the First month but had a lot of pain in my knees, I haven’t had that again, so I’m now reluctant to change brand again incase it’s the same.

Jediknight I've been on letrozol since last November. I first took glenmark but my chemist couldn't get another pack so had several different brands for a few months! everytime I went to the chemist it was another brand! I then changed to Boots Chemist who gave me accord each time. Again no problems until recently when, like you, I have a little stiffness in the mornings and exactly like you cant curl my fingers into a fist 1st thing. It's like my hand has completely swollen. A few minutes moving my fingers though and all is ok again. I'm scared to change brand now as reading some of the side effects that ladies have to put up with are horrendous! I think I can put up with early morning aches for now. 

It’s a gamble isn’t it ! You think side effects are bad then wham along come another set.

I also noticed a difference when I didn’t drink enough water so try and keep on top of that too !

Totally agree with the water  intake Jediknight, I normally take my Accord Anastrozole with a pint of squash first thing in the morning, but if we are away for a night and have breakfast at the hotel, then having a pint available / knowing that we will be driving soon after, I take it with a cup of tea or coffee.  I always find I am a little stiffer in my knees, ankles and fingers.

Interesting concept, I’m on Letrozole, another AI, but take it in the mornings. I’ve drunk a pint of water when first rising for many years now, and take my tablet not much later, maybe a large drink of water helps negate some of the worst problems? 
hugs xxx

I’ve heard a few ppl say they take Letrozole at night with milk, not sure if that is warm milk or not.

Seems most ppl here take it in a morning. I take mine in the morning.

I take my letrozole of an evening - just before going to bed.  Although, I am considering trying to swop around, the reason I would like to try this, I notice my mental attitude and head seem 'empty' for most of the day and then a few hours before bed I feel fairly human and start saying.... tomorrow I will do this and I will do that.... come the morning I'm back to 'empty head' and so forgetful arrrghhh!

So, I am considering swopping to the morning - I originally started on the evening as I was so scared to take tablet for fear of side effects, I was thinking 'I'd sleep through them' - trouble is, I can't work out best way to juggle times to take tablet to see if any better.