Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Anastrozole as follows:
Central nervous system side-effects
- Optimum serum calcium levels are very important for normal nerve functions, sensory awareness, mood, and behavior. By increasing serum calcium levels and causing hypercalcemia, anastrozole carries the risk of inducing/aggravating mood disorders. Individuals can present with complaints such as, feeling low and depressed, confusion, nervousness, anxiety, irritability, and restlessness.
General allergic reactions
- Anastrozole use can result in general allergic reactions, such as, skin rashes, hives, and itching.
- Some patients can present with symptoms of severe allergic and anaphylactic response with anastrozole, such as, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, throat, and tongue, with consequent difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical help for such findings, especially with difficulty breathing, for any appropriate measures to be considered.
Sexual side-effects
- Anastrozole inhibits conversion of estrogen precursors to estrogens. Reduced estrogen levels in women taking anastrozole can result in perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms.
- Women experiencing these symptoms can present with vaginal dryness, hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, mood swings, and depression.
