Armotraz

Armotraz (Anastrozole) is used to treat breast cancer in women after the change of life (menopause). This drug does not kill cancer cells. Rather, it stops or slows their growth. It belongs to a group of medicines called aromatase inhibitors. It acts on the body to stop production of the low levels of female sex hormones (oestrogen) produced in the body.

In younger women, high levels of oestrogen are produced by the ovary and act to make the breast grow, prepare the womb for pregnancy and develop sex drive. After the change of life (menopause) low levels of oestrogen are made in fat cells throughout the body. These low levels of oestrogen may help cancer cells to grow, in women with breast cancer.

Your physician will have decided how much you should take each day. The usual adult dose is one tablet taken daily. Try to take your tablets at the same time each day. Armotraz (Anastrozole) tablets may be taken before or after food and should be swallowed whole with a drink of water. Do not chew the tablets.

Do not stop taking your tablets even if you are feeling well, until your physician tells you. You should take Armotraz (Anastrozole)as prescribed by your physician.

Some people taking Armotraz (Anastrozole)have noticed the following side effects, however you may not experience any of them:

• hot flushes
• thinning of the hair
• vaginal dryness
• anorexia (loss of appetite)
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• feeling weak
• headache
• joint pain or joint stiffness
• sleepiness
• skin rash
• vaginal bleeding (usually in the first few weeks of treatment)

Occasionally, some people having Armotraz (Anastrozole)have had slight increases in cholesterol (blood fat). Some breast cancer patients may experience changes in their liver.