Anastrozole

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I've been on all the AI drugs for the last 2 1/2 years  even tried tamoxifen but had horrendous hot flushes & itchy skin now on anastrozole the joint pains awful, high cholesterol, emotional, poor sleep, totally lost confidence not the person I once was  still working 30+ hrs a week & willing away the next 2 1/2 years Cry  I know its a necessary evil but does anyone have the answer to coping with this awful drug & side effects ?!! 

  • Hi there,

    Poor you it seems as if you're having a horrible time.

    I hadn't had any problems with anastrozole until 1 month when the brand was changed and my finger joints flared up. My pharmacist changed it back and I've had no further problems, I don't know if you may be able to speak to your pharmacist to see if they can try that for you..

    Wishing you all the best

  • I;ve been on Anastrozole for nearly two years and am still having problems. I have terrible hot flushes, can't sleep awake every hour and now I have started to get pains in my arms, legs elbows and fingers, they have no idea if its the Anastrazole but no one seems to be able to help, I just plod on as its better than the cancer coming back.

    Good luck x

  • Hi  as  says, the brand can make a huge difference.  

    I was taking Accord and Teva and then at some point my pharmacy gave me Consillient brand. OMG!  Within in such a short space of time my joints were killing me and I felt absolutely rubbish.  I had some Accord in a packet left, so changed back to these and within a couple of days, no problems.  So, I tested the theory again a week later and the same thing happened.  So, it can definitely be the coatings.

    After this, I went through the NICE tablets and wrote down all the differences in the coatings.  It showed Consillient were different from Accord and Teva. I asked my doctor to write on the prescription slip Accord or Teva brand only.

    There are some tablets that won't be prescribed because their price is ludicrous in comparison to the 'normal' anastrozole but I know some women have fought for them as they didn't get side effects on them. 

    If you wanted to check out the NICE tablets - their coatings and price, here's the link and you could perhaps ask for different ones to test them out as to how their affect you.

    I do hope one of them doesn't give you such awful side effects Disappointed

    Kindest Wishes, Lesley

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  • Hi Lesley

    Thanks so much for your reply I've checked my tablets & they are Accord! So guess I've just got to put up with it. 'A necessary evil' as my bcn said!

    Wishing you a Happy Christmas & healthy New Year 

  • I'm on accord and have been fine. I had one brand on my second prescription which gave me hot flushes but accord have been fine. 

  • Hi 

    I have been on Anastrozole for 18months and I get pains in my arms , elbows and wrists all the time .. some days it is hard to put up with but I guess we have to   It doesn’t seem to matter which brand I have 

  • Hi  

    You could try a different brand as it might be the coatings in Accord that you react to.  It might be the ones that caused me a reaction are ok for you?

    Worth trying it out as you just never know!

    Kindest Wishes, Lesley

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