Arimidex and High Cholesterol

In clinical studies on Arimidex, high cholesterol did appear to be one of the possible side effects. While too much cholesterol in the blood can be potentially dangerous in the long run, breast cancer is a more life-threatening condition, and effective treatments for high cholesterol are available. The fact that there is a possible link between Arimidex and high cholesterol is not a reason to stop taking it.

 

An Overview of Arimidex and High Cholesterol

Arimidex® (anastrozole) is a prescription medication used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. High cholesterol appears to be one of the possible Arimidex side effects. In clinical studies, up to 9 percent of women taking the drug had high cholesterol.
 

What Is High Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of fat that is made in your body. It is also in some foods that you eat. Your body needs some cholesterol to work the right way; however, if too much gets into your blood, it can cause problems. This is known as high cholesterol. Causes of high cholesterol include genetics and diet. You are more likely to have high cholesterol if the condition runs in your family or if you eat high-cholesterol foods. Because there are often no symptoms of high cholesterol, most people discover they have it as a result of routine blood screening. Because high cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, lowering your cholesterol is an important step in protecting your heart (see Lowering Cholesterol to Prevent Heart Disease).
 
Fortunately, many effective treatments for lowering cholesterol are available. In addition to lifestyle changes, such as exercise (see Exercise and Cholesterol) and diet, there are several cholesterol medications, including:
 
  • Bile acid sequestrants
  • Statins
  • Cholesterol absorption inhibitors
  • Fibrates
  • Nicotinic acid.
     
(Arimidex and High Cholesterol Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;