Precautions  

Before taking anastrozole,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to anastrozole or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: medications containing estrogen such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or oral contraceptives (birth control pills); and tamoxifen (Nolvadex). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any medical condition, especially high cholesterol, liver disease, osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones are thin and fragile), abnormal vaginal bleeding, cancer of the uterus (womb), and blood clots.
• Anastrozole should only be taken by women who have undergone menopause and cannot become pregnant. However, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should tell your doctor before you begin taking this drug. You should not plan to have children while receiving chemotherapy or for a while after treatments. Use a reliable method of birth control to prevent pregnancy. Talk to your doctor for further details. Anastrozole may harm the fetus.
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking anastrozole.