WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ARIMIDEX ®:
The information in this leaflet applied only to your medicine, Arimidex ®, please read it carefully. It gives you important information but it can't tell you everything. If you have any questions, or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

WHAT IS YOUR MEDICINE?
Arimidex ® comes in tablets and each tablet contains 1mg of anastrozole. Each tablet contains a number of inactive ingredients which allow it to be made. These are lactose, macrogel, magnesium sterate, methylhydroxypropylcellulose, polyvidone, sodium starch glycollate and titanium dioxide. Arimidex ® comes in blister packs of 28 tablets. Arimidex ® belongs to a group of medicines called aromatase inhibitors. This means that it interferes with some of the actions of aromatase, an enzyme within the body which affects the level of certain female sex hormones, such as estrogens.

WHAT IS YOUR MEDICINE FOR?
Arimidex ® is used to treat breast cancer in post-menopausal women.

WHEN SHOULD ARIMIDEX ® NOT BE USED?
Arimidex ® must not be taken by pre-menopausal women, pregnant women or mothers who are breast feeding their babies. Arimidex ® must not be taken by patients with certain disorders or diseases which affect the liver or kidneys. Arimidex ® must not be taken by patients who are taking estrogen-containing medicines, for example hormone replacement therapy. Arimidex ® should not be given to children. Arimidex ® should not be used if you ever had an allergic reaction to Arimidex ® or to any particular ingredient. The tablets are only for you and must never be given to anyone else.

WHAT PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN WITH ARIMIDEX ®?
Before taking your medicine, tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines including those which you have bought, if you are suffering from any disorder or disease which affects your liver or kidneys. Your tablets are unlikely to adversely affect your ability to drive a car or to operate machinery. However, some patients may occasionally feel weak or sleepy. If this happens to you, ask your doctor for advice. If you go into hospital let the medical staff know you are taking Arimidex ®. As mentioned earlier your tablets contain lactose, sodium starch glycollate and titanium dioxide which may cause a problem in a small number of patients who are sensitive to them. Only stop taking your tablets if your doctor tells you.

HOW SHOULD I TAKE MY ARIMIDEX ®?
Follow your doctor's instructions about when and how to take your tablets. Please read the label on the container. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. The usual adult dose is one tablet taken daily. Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water. Try to take your tablet at the same time each day. You should take Arimidex ® as prescribed. However, if you miss a dose do not take an extra dose, just resume your usual schedule. If you take more than your normal dose contact your doctor or nearest hospital. Do not stop taking your tablets, even if you are feeling well, unless your doctor tells you.

WHAT UNDESIRABLE EVENTS MAY BE EXPERIENCED WITH ARIMIDEX ®?
As with all medicines, undesirable events are sometimes experienced. With Arimidex ® these may include; hot flushes, thinning of the hair, vaginal dryness, anorexia (loss of appetite), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, feeling weak, headache, sleepiness, skin rash, vaginal bleeding (usually in the first few weeks of treatment). Do not be alarmed by this list of possible events. You may not have any of them. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you think you have any of these or any other problems with your tablets.

HOW SHOULD I STORE ARIMIDEX ®?
You should keep your tablets below 30 degrees Celsius. Keep your tablets in the container they came in. If your doctor decides to stop your treatment, return any left over tablets to your pharmacist. Do not take your tablets after the expiry date on the container. Keep your tablets in a safe place where children cannot see or reach them. Your tablets could harm them.