Anastrozole belongs to the group of cancer-fighting medications known as antineoplastics, and specifically to the group of antineoplastics known as nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors. It fights Breast Cancer by inactivating an enzyme known as aromatase. This prevents the enzyme from supplying the estrogen that allows certain types of breast cancers to grow.

Anastrozole can be used after surgery to treat postmenopausal women with hormone-receptor-positive early breast cancer. Anastrozole can also be used to treat postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer.

Zinda Anastrozole may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Zinda Anastrozole may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Zinda Anastrozole may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Zinda Anastrozole for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Zinda Anastrozole, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Zinda Anastrozole without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Zinda Anastrozole to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The recommended dose of anastrozole is 1 mg once daily, at the same time each day, taken with or without food. Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Zinda Anastrozole exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, and it is more than 12 hours until your next dose, take the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. If it is less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

You should keep your tablets in the package they came in and store them at room temperature in a dry place. Keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Zinda Anastrozole. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Zinda Anastrozole with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• dizziness
• hair thinning
• headache
• hot flashes
• increased or decreased appetite
• muscle stiffness
• nausea or vomiting
• pain in muscles, bones, or joints
• skin rash
• taste changes
• trouble sleeping
• vaginal dryness
• weakness
• weight gain

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• abdominal pain
• bone fractures
• increased blood pressure
• increased cholesterol levels
• signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (e.g. tingling pain, coldness, and weakness in parts of the hand)
• signs of infection (e.g., severe Fever, chills, mouth ulcers, shortness of breath, sudden lack of energy)
• signs of Depression (such as feeling sad, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, weight changes, changes in sleep habits, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, thoughts of suicide)
• swelling of the feet, legs, or arms
• unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or bleeding
• vision changes

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of a blood clot in the arm or leg (tenderness, pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in the arm or leg) or lungs (difficulty breathing, sharp chest pain that is worst when breathing in, coughing, coughing up blood, sweating, or passing out)
• signs of a Heart Attack (e.g., tightness or feeling of heaviness in your chest or pain radiating to your arms or shoulders, neck, teeth, jaw, abdomen or back)
• symptoms of liver problems (e.g., abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, feeling unwell, fever, itching, yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine)
• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
• signs of a severe skin reaction such as blistering, peeling, a rash covering a large area of the body, a rash that spreads quickly, or a rash combined with fever or discomfort

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Zinda Anastrozole.

Each round, film-coated, white-to-off-white tablet with "BGN" engraved on one side and “2033” on the other contains 1 mg of anastrozole. Nonmedicinal ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, macrogol, magnesium stearate, maltodextrin, and povidone.

Do not use anastrozole if you:

• are allergic to anastrozole or any ingredients of the medication
• are allergic to any other aromatase inhibitor medications (e.g., Letrozole, Exemestane)
• are breast-feeding
• are pregnant

There may be an interaction between anastrozole and any of the following:

• any estrogen-containing medications
• Aripiprazole
• dofetilide
• Hydrocodone
• Lomitapide
• Methadone
• Pimozide
• Tamoxifen
• Warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Zinda Anastrozole. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

There are certain circumstances and medical conditions where this medication is not recommended, or should be taken with caution. Be sure to inform your physician of all your medical conditions before you begin therapy.

Bone mineral density: Long-term use of anastrozole may decrease the density of bones, thereby increasing the risk of Osteoporosis. Your doctor will order bone mineral density tests periodically while you are taking anastrozole.

Drowsiness/dizziness: Anastrozole may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience either or both of these side effects, you should not drive, use machinery, or perform any other activities that require alertness.

Heart disease: Zinda Anastrozole may increase the risk of heart attack or increased blood pressure. If you are at risk for heart disease or high blood pressure, discuss with your doctor how Zinda Anastrozole may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Zinda Anastrozole, and whether any special monitoring is needed. If you experience signs of a heart attack, such as tightness or heaviness in your chest, sudden chest pain spreading to your arms or shoulders, sweating, nausea, or anxiety, seek medical help immediately.

Kidney function: If you have reduced kidney function, discuss with your doctor how Zinda Anastrozole may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Zinda Anastrozole, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: If you have liver disease or reduced liver function, discuss with your doctor how Zinda Anastrozole may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Zinda Anastrozole, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pre-menopausal women: You should not use Zinda Anastrozole if you have not yet started Menopause.

Pregnancy: Although anastrozole has not been studied with pregnant women (it is intended for use only by women who have passed menopause), it is suspected that it could cause serious problems, possibly including miscarriage. Therefore, it should not be used during pregnancy. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant.

Breast-feeding: It is not known whether anastrozole passes into breast milk. Because of the risks associated with this drug, women using this medication should not breast-feed.