Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Arimidex as follows:
- Arimidex intake carries the risk of increasing the blood lipid levels and can contribute to forming atherogenic blocks in the blood vessels. Individuals with history of ischemic heart disease or blocks in the blood vessels supplying to the heart muscle can be at increased risk for development of chest pain and heart attack, leading to debility and sudden cardiac death. Notify your physician regarding your history of ischemic heart disease or chest pain or arrhythmias, if any, and discuss your safety with Arimidex intake. Report to your physician regarding any signs and symptoms of myocardial infarction or heart attack, such as, gripping chest pain or discomfort, fatigue, sudden exacerbation of shortness of breath, and lightheadedness, so that, appropriate changes in the plan of treatment could be considered.
- Arimidex takes some time to inhibit the estrogen production in the body, before any change in tumor progression and slowing of tumor growth are noted. Do not discontinue taking the medication without your physician’s consult, as you failed to see the desired improvement, immediately after taking the medication. Discontinuation on Arimidex use must be only on your physician recommendation.
- Abrupt discontinuation of Arimidex intake can result in continued conversion of precursor of estrogen to estrogen, increased exposure of estrogen receptors in the breast tissue to estrogen, progression of tumor growth, and development of new tumor masses.
