Most people find that changing your lifestyle can be a good thing. Johns Hopkins Medicine says that food-drug interactions are when a specific nutrient, or compound, in food alters the way your body metabolizes medication. This can enhance or decrease your dose. Potential side effects include a higher risk of side reactions, some of which could be deadly, and the drug not working as intended.
Ask your pharmacist to discuss any food interactions with the medication.
Anastrozole: What is it?
Anastrozole (trade name: Arimidex) is the generic name given to the drug. This class of medications is called nonsteroidal aromaticse inhibitors. They are used in the treatment of hormone-positive early breast cancer. It can also be used as a first-line treatment for hormone receptor-positive or hormone receptor unknown advanced metastatic (cancer that is spreading) breast cancer.
Anastrozole can also be used to treat advanced breast carcinomas that have spread or grown after treatment with tamoxifen. This medication is only for women who have stopped menstruating (postmenopausal).
Estrogen is a common hormone that causes breast cancer to grow. This medicine reduces the body’s production of estrogen. This reduces the estrogen levels in the body, limiting the tumor’s growth.
When should I take anastrozole (Arimidex)?
Follow the directions on your prescription label. Also, read any medication guides or instructions sheets. Use the medication exactly as prescribed.
Anastrozole (Arimidex) should be taken only once daily. You should carefully follow the instructions of your doctor. Anastrozole can be taken with or without food. This medication can be continued for up to five years. Follow your doctor’s directions.
If I miss a dose, what happens?
You should take medicine as soon and as quickly as possible. If it is near the time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. You should not take two doses at once.
How do I know if I have taken too much anastrozole?
Get emergency medical attention immediately or call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.
What to avoid while taking anastrozole(Arimidex)
Research has shown that these foods can increase aromatase and estrogen levels or decrease Anastrozole’s effectiveness. These foods should be avoided or minimized during treatment with Anastrozole.
- Alcohol: Avoiding or limiting alcohol intake while taking breast cancer medications such as Anastrozole (Arimidex) is a good idea. Anastrozole side effects (Arimidex) can increase with alcohol consumption, including hot flashes and joint pain.
- Beef : There have been studies that indicate that processed and red meats can increase estrogen in the body. Limiting these foods may help regulate estrogen and increase Anastrozole’s effectiveness (Arimidex).
- Chamomile tea: German Chamomile could act like estrogen in your body. Exercising Chamomile may increase hormone-sensitive conditions, such as breast cancer or ovarian cancer. It can also reduce the effectiveness of Anastrozole (Arimidex).
- Corn oil: Incorporating corn oil into the diet will increase insulin, progesterone, and estradiol levels. Corn oil should be avoided while taking Anastrozole (Arimidex).
- Grapefruit: Anastrozole (Arimidex) should be used with caution while taking Winefruit. Preliminary evidence from animal experiments suggests that grapes could have an aromatase inhibiting effect, decreasing estrogen synthesis and increasing androgen precursors.
- Smoked fish or meat: Long-standing associations between carcinogenic chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic Hydrocarbons and meats cooked at high temperatures (e.g., grilled, smoked, and barbecued) have been made.
- Limes and lemons: The rich source of plant estrogens known as isoflavones, Limes can impact your estrogen levels. They also affect Anastrozole’s (Arimidex) working.
- Safflower oil: The diet is rich in fats, like those found in safflower, which are vital for memory and hormone regulation. However, they can harm hormonal balance and should be avoided while on Anastrozole.
- Products from soy beans: Soyprotein isolate, soybean oil and soybean paste should be avoided when taking Anastrozole. Soy contains isoflavones, a form of plant estrogen (phytoestrogen) that functions similarly to human estrogen but has weaker effects. Soy isoflavones can bind to estrogen receptors in your body, causing either weak estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activities.
- Sunflower oils: Since Sesame, sunflower, and other estrogenic foods are some of the most high-emitting foods globally, oil from these seeds can negatively impact Anastrozole’s (Arimidex).
