Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Arimidex as follows:
- Take the medication dose at the same time, every day, to avoid forgetting the intake of medication. Do not change the dose and frequency on this medication without consulting your doctor.
- This medication can induce some nausea and vomiting, when taken on empty stomach. Taking the medication with a glass of water and some food or snack can help avoid these unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Estrogen in postmenopausal women help in maintaining the bone mass and preventing development of osteoporosis. Reduced levels of estrogen hormone in the body, secondary to Arimidex use can predispose postmenopausal women to reduced bone mass, demineralization of bone, osteoporosis, weakened skeletal framework, and pathological fractures. Notify your physician regarding your history of osteoporosis and pathological fractures, if any and discuss your safety with Arimidex intake. Report any findings of sudden bone or back pain, to be investigated for any fracture development. Periodical labs could be ordered to evaluate the blood calcium levels. Bone scans could be ordered for evaluation of any onset or progression of osteoporosis, so that, necessary changes could be made to prescribe the safe therapeutic dose on Arimidex. Observe compliance with any labs and bone scans ordered.
