Early Breast Cancer TreatmentQuestions to ask your doctor

Asking your doctor questions early on can help you understand your treatment options. Chances are, if your doctor has already talked to you about ARIMIDEX, many of these questions may have already been answered.

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Questions to ask your doctor about ARIMIDEX

Print a list of questions to take with you to your next appointment. It may help you discuss your follow-up care and future breast cancer treatment options.

Questions include

  • Is ARIMIDEX an appropriate breast cancer treatment choice for me?
  • How will I know if ARIMIDEX is working?
  • What side effects can ARIMIDEX have?
  • Can I take ARIMIDEX with other medications?
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Helpful information for your doctor

Remember to tell your doctor if you

  • Are currently taking any other medications (including all nonprescription and herbal products)
  • Smoke
  • Have a history of blood clots
  • Have a history of abnormal vaginal bleeding or uterine cancer
  • Have a family history of breast cancer
  • Are still having periods
  • Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
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For your reference: your diagnosis details

Print a "Breast Cancer Details" worksheet to take with you to your next appointment. It will help you to remember and note the details of your breast cancer and may help you when discussing treatment options with your doctor.

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Additional breast cancer treatment resources

These resources may also help you in your discussion with your doctor.

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Important Information About ARIMIDEX

ARIMIDEX is approved for adjuvant treatment (treatment following surgery with or without radiation) of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer.

ARIMIDEX is approved for the initial treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive or hormone receptor-unknown locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer and for the treatment of postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer that has progressed following treatment with tamoxifen. Patients with hormone receptor-negative disease and patients who did not previously respond to tamoxifen therapy rarely responded to ARIMIDEX.

Important Safety Information About ARIMIDEX

  • Prescription ARIMIDEX is only for postmenopausal women. ARIMIDEX should not be taken if you are pregnant because it may harm your unborn child
  • Based on information from a study in patients with early breast cancer, women with a history of blockages in heart arteries (ischemic heart disease) who take ARIMIDEX may have a slight increase in this type of heart disease compared to similar patients who take tamoxifen
  • ARIMIDEX can cause bone softening/weakening (osteoporosis) increasing the chance of fractures. In a clinical study in early breast cancer, there were more fractures (including fractures of the spine, hip, and wrist) with ARIMIDEX (10%) than with tamoxifen (7%)
  • In a clinical study in early breast cancer, some patients taking ARIMIDEX had an increase in cholesterol. Skin reactions, allergic reactions, and changes in blood tests of liver function have also been reported
  • In the early breast cancer clinical trial, the most common side effects seen with ARIMIDEX include hot flashes, joint symptoms (including arthritis and arthralgia), weakness, mood changes, pain, back pain, sore throat, nausea and vomiting, rash, depression, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, fractures, swelling of arms/legs, insomnia, and headache
  • In advanced breast cancer trials, the most common side effects seen with ARIMIDEX versus tamoxifen include hot flashes, nausea, decreased energy and weakness, pain, back pain, headache, bone pain, increased cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, and swelling of arms and legs. Joint pain/stiffness has been reported in association with the use of ARIMIDEX
  • ARIMIDEX should not be taken with tamoxifen or estrogen-containing therapies

Please click here for full Prescribing Information.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).