Arianna 1 (Anastrozole)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Arianna 1 Used For?
Arianna 1 contains anastrozole, a medication that helps treat certain types of breast cancer by reducing estrogen levels in your body.
Primary Uses
Arianna 1 is used to treat breast cancer in women who no longer have menstrual periods, either naturally due to age or after surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy.
How It Works
Arianna 1 is a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor that reduces the amount of estrogen (female sex hormone) made by your body. In some types of breast cancer, estrogen can help cancer cells grow. By blocking estrogen, Arianna 1 may slow or stop the growth of cancer.
Good to know: Arianna 1 is not addictive.
How to Take Arianna 1
Take Arianna 1 exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It’s important to take it consistently every day for the best results.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one tablet every day. Swallow Arianna 1 tablets whole with plenty of water. Take it at about the same time each day for the best effect and to help you remember. It doesn’t matter if you take it before, with, or after food. Keep taking Arianna 1 for as long as your doctor tells you, even if you feel better.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember, as long as it is 12 hours before the next dose is due. If it is less than 12 hours to the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. If you miss more than one dose or are not sure what to do, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- hot flushes
- feeling weak or lack of energy
- joint pain or stiffness
- bone loss (osteoporosis)
- mild skin rash
- feeling sick (nausea)
- headache
- feeling depressed
- feeling sleepy
- vaginal dryness
- vaginal bleeding
- thinning of hair (hair loss)
- diarrhea
- loss of appetite
- vomiting
- carpal tunnel syndrome (tingling, pain, coldness, weakness in parts of hand)
- pins and needles
- loss of taste or changing taste of food or drink
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- sudden signs of allergy such as shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or any other parts of the body
- rash, itching or hives on the skin
- extremely severe skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome) with lesions, ulcers or blisters
- liver pain or swelling and/or general feeling of unwell with or without jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
Important Warnings
Before taking Arianna 1, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current health conditions with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Arianna 1
Do not take Arianna 1 if you are allergic to anastrozole or any other ingredients in the medication, if you are still having menstrual periods (Arianna 1 should only be taken by women who are no longer having menstrual periods), or if you are a man (men are not normally treated with Arianna 1).
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have liver problems, kidney problems, osteoporosis or family history of osteoporosis, risk factors for developing osteoporosis (such as smoking, diet low in calcium, poor mobility, slight build, or treatment with steroid medicines), or allergies to any medicines or other substances. Aromatase inhibitors may decrease bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with possible increased risk of fractures, and may cause inflammation in tendons.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Arianna 1 if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant, as there is a possibility of harm to the developing baby. Do not breastfeed while taking Arianna 1, as your baby can take in the medication from breast milk. If you become pregnant while taking Arianna 1, tell your doctor immediately.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Arianna 1 and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
- tamoxifen (medicine used to treat breast cancer)
- any medicine that contains estrogen such as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or oral contraceptives
- health food products that contain natural estrogens used for post-menopausal symptoms
- medicines from a class called ‘Luteinising Hormone Releasing (LHRH) agonists’, such as goserelin or leuprorelin
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how Arianna 1 affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings were mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Arianna 1 affects you. Arianna 1 may occasionally cause drowsiness, dizziness, or other symptoms such as feeling weak or sleepy which could affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Temperature Regulation
No specific temperature regulation warnings were mentioned in the source material.
Storage
Keep your tablets in the original pack until it is time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Keep away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it – a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is recommended.
Overdose Information
If you think that you or anyone else has taken too much Arianna 1, urgent medical attention may be needed. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source material doesn’t specify how long Arianna 1 takes to work. Your doctor will monitor your progress through regular appointments to check how well the medication is working for you.
Yes, it doesn’t matter if you take Arianna 1 before, with, or after food. Just swallow the tablet whole with plenty of water.
No, Arianna 1 is not addictive.
Do not stop taking Arianna 1 unless you have discussed it with your doctor. Arianna 1 helps control your condition but does not cure it, so you must take it every day as prescribed, even if you feel better.
If you miss your dose, take it as soon as you remember, as long as it is 12 hours before the next dose is due. If it’s less than 12 hours to the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Never take a double dose.
No, do not give Arianna 1 to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you. This medication is prescribed specifically for your individual situation.
Remind any doctor, dentist, or pharmacist you visit that you are taking Arianna 1. If you go into hospital, let the medical staff know you are taking this medication.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.