Anastrozole help

Ho Helen,

I've not had that AI, but originally on letrozole and found that the brand made a big difference.  After only 3 days my hands made cracking sounds on Cipla, Femara made me dizzy, Sandoz made me dizzy and also made me have a headache. Accord brand only gave me slight joint and chest pain, and now I'm back on it after covid and my first vaccine it makes my long covid tinnitus louder,  so I take half a tablet. I'd exemestane for a few months after a retinal detachment and bleed, but it gave me insomnia,  high blood pressure and chest pain.

Please ty a different brand,  but if you can't get on with it contact your best nurse and try another one. You shouldn't suffer like this!

Hi Helen I have been taking Anastrozole since January this year. I take them around 9am before eating breakfast. So far I am fine with them, although they seem to suppress my appetite but that's no a bad thing as I am trying to lose some weight.

Hi, Thankyou for responding. My problems are minor compared to what you have gone thru. I do hope that things improve soon for you. I am getting more used to them I have started taking at night with pain killers in the hope if I am asleep, more relaxed it might help. I start ibendrizone tomorrow that does not look like it's going to be fun!

Take care

Helen2021

Hi Thank you for replying. I am glad they suit. I am getting used to them a little it just takes time. Tomorrow I start ibendrizone

Take care

Helen2021

Hi Helen2021

I've just posted on a similar thread and, hopefully, this may help you.  As already mentioned, please try alternative  brands.  You don't need to involve the GP either ;)  Experiment until you find a brand that you can better tolerate

I have recently started on Letrazole but the same issue happens, ie different brands can have different side effects.  The first packet I got, I actually stopped after only 11 days as it affected my joints, and particularly shoulders, so quickly.

So, my plan now is ...

1)  I order repeat prescription on a different day than my other repeats.  This means it's on it's own prescription script

2)  I asked the pharmacy, where I usually have prescriptions dispensed, NOT to dispense the hormone-blocker until I go to them and have it dispensed - in case they don't have the brand I'm using

3)  Then, if they don't have the brand I've been using, or want to try, I can take the prescription to an alternative pharmacy, asking what brands they have in stock (or phone round, of course)  Once I've identified the pharmacy with the brand I want, I have them dispense it.

This means I don't have to ask the GP to specify the brand and I'me free to change brand any time I feel the need and can ensure I get the brand that suits me best.

I order my prescription requests online from the surgery, each month, and they are sent to my choice of pharmacy electronically.  So, if my choice of pharmacy doesn't have the brand I want, then I ask for the prescription to be printed and given to me, to take elsewhere.

Even if you don't do yours on line/repeats, you will have a means of ordering your hormone-blocker, ie Tamoxifen, Anastrozole, Letrozole etc on it's own script, to take to your choice of pharmacy

Wishing you all the best

PS  I have a list of the different brands so please message me if you aren't happy finding on internet search etc (that's where I got the list from ;)  )

Thank you so much what a good idea. I have my scripts online and to a chosen chemist just the same but would never have thought of that.

I will try that.

Take care

Helen2021

Once you have identified a brand you can tolerate the best, then the GP might be prepared to prescribe the specific brand, in which case, that's the brand the pharmacy is obliged get for you. 

I think you may find Femera, for instance, hard to get GP to prescribe as it's the 'original' brand and therefore costs are much higher.  It's like Panadol is to Paracetamol - Panadol is very much more expensive but they have all the research, marketing and setting up manufacturing cost to claw back  ;)  The other brands are much cheaper

I hope this helps you.