Foods to Avoid When Taking Anastrozole

Most people will find that taking a new medication can mean a change in their lifestyle, including the food they eat. Johns Hopkins Medicine defines a food-drug interaction as a situation where a specific nutrient in dietary supplements alters how your body processes the medication. This can increase or decrease the amount of medication your body receives. There are potential side effects that could lead to serious health problems and the drug not functioning as intended.

Ask your pharmacist before you introduce a medication.

What’s Anastrozole?

Anastrozole, the generic name of the drug Arimidex, is a class of medications known as nonsteroidal aromatase inhibits. It is used for the treatment of early hormone receptor-positive breast carcinoma. It can also treat hormone receptor-positive, hormone receptor unknown advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

Advanced breast cancer can also be treated with Anastrozole. Only women who have stopped having menstrual cycles (postmenopausal) can use this medicine.

Breast cancer tumours can grow due to estrogen. The body produces less estrogen as a result. The tumor’s exposure to estrogen is decreased, which limits its growth.

What is the best way to take Anastrozole?

Follow the instructions on your prescription label. Read all medication guides and instruction sheets. Follow the instructions exactly.

Anastrozole (Arimidex) is typically taken one time per day. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions. Anastrozole can be taken with or without food. This medication may be required to continue for as long as 5 years. Follow the instructions of your doctor.

What happens to Anastrozole (Arimidex) if I miss a dose?

Do not take medicine if you are unable to do so. Do not take more than one dose at a time.

What should I do if I take too much Anastrozole (Arimidex)?

Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 if you need immediate medical attention.

Avoiding Foods While Taking Anastrozole.

The following foods have been shown to increase estrogen and/or decrease the effectiveness of Anastrozole. They should be avoided or limited during treatment with Anastrozole.

• • Alcohol: When taking breast cancer medication like Anastrozole, it’s best to limit or avoid alcohol consumption. Anastrozole’s side effects, such as joint pain or hot flashes, can be increased by drinking alcohol.
  • Beef Studies have shown that eating red or processed meats can increase estrogen levels in the body. Therefore, limiting these foods could help regulate estrogen and improve the effectiveness of Anastrozole.
• Chamomile tea. German-chamomile may act like estrogen in the body. The effects of chamomile on hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer and endometriosis can be exacerbated by prolonged exposure.
• Corn oil Including corn oil in your diet can increase cholesterol, estrogen, estradiol and progesterone. While taking Anastrozole (Arimidex), you should avoid corn oil.
• Grapefruit: grapefruit and grapefruit juice should not be consumed while taking Anastrozole. Animal studies have shown that grapes might have an aromatase inhibitor effect. This could decrease estrogen synthesis and increase androgen precursors.
• Smoked meat and fish: High-temperature meats such as grilled, barbecued and smoked meats have been linked to carcinogenic chemicals, like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
• Limes and lemons: Citrus fruits are rich in plant estrogens called Isoflavones. These estrogens can affect estrogen levels and how Anastrozole works (Arimidex).
• Safflower Oil: Essential for hormone regulation and memory, fats in the diet such as those in safflower oils are important. They can affect hormonal balance, so it is best to avoid them while taking Anastrozole (Arimidex).
• Soybean products: Soy protein isolate, soybean oil, soy paste and other soybean products should all be avoided while taking Anastrozole. One thing that makes soybean unique is its high level of phytoestrogens (a type of plant estrogen) similar to human estrogen but has much less effect. Soy estrogen receptors can be bound to soybean isoflavones and cause weak estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activity.
• Sunflower oil Because Sesame seeds and sunflower seeds are high in estrogen, taking Anastrozole (Arimidex) while you’re on Anastrozole can cause adverse side effects.