Arimidex comes in tablets and each tablet contains 1 milligram of anastrozole.

Each tablet contains a number of inactive ingredients which allow it to be made. These are lactose macrogol, magnesium stearate, methylhydroxypropylcellulose, polyvidone, sodium starch glycollate and titanium dioxide.

Arimidex comes in blister packs of 28 and 84 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 oestrogens.

Who has made your medicine?

The product licence holder of Arimidex is: Zeneca Limited, Macclesfield, Cheshire.

The manufacturer of Arimidex is: Zeneca Pharmaceuticals Group, 587 Old Baltimore Pike, Newark, Delaware 19702, USA.

Arimidex is used to treat advanced breast cancer in post-menopausal women.

• 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 oestrogen-containing medicines, for example hormone replacement therapy.
• Arimidex should not be given to children.
• Arimidex should not be used if you have 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.

Before taking your medicine, tell your doctor if:

• you are taking any other medicines including those which you have bought.
• you are suffering from any disorder or disease which affects your liver or kidneys.

Your tablets are unlikely to adversely affect your

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 .

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 you r 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.

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

diarrhoea

feeling weak

headache

sleepiness

skin rash

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.

You should keep your tablets below 30°C.

Keep your tablets in the container they came i n.

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 .

Date of preparation of leaflet: May 1996.

Arimidex is a trade mark.