I started the drug in late November and itching started late December but I assumed was dry skin and continued medicine. The itching became so intense I quit taking it last week and within 24 hours the itching had lessoned and is completely gone now. My skin also turned bright red for several inches around the area that itched.
Has anyone experienced severe itching while using anastrozole?
Question posted by Vivian164 on 5 Feb 2011
Last updated on 28 July 2022 by WantingAnswers1
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6 Answers
Oh My Gosh Yes! The itching is unrelenting and driving me crazy. I started taking Anastrozole April of 2022 after a Mastectomy for Breast Cancer, Needless to say I stopped taking it! Its July 2022 only 3months into taking Anastrozole I just couldn't take the itching of my hands and feet anymore, all day and at night it got worse! it's starting to subside now.
I went through a traumatic healing process with 3 Surgeries in less than 2 months and couldn't go through anything more! I'm so sure that my Dr. Can prescribe something else for me.
Yes. I feel like little bugs are landing on my skin. Nothing is ever there; just itches. Arms, scalp, face, legs, back…. It is worse at night when I’m trying to fall asleep.
I was also told I needed to take it for 10 years. I had two types of cancer (separate tumors) in my right breast. DNA tests showed high risk of recurrence, so opted for second mastectomy.
I've been taking Anastrozole for a bit over a year.. OMG the itching is obnoxious, usually Mostly on lower legs, middle of my back and back of my hands!! I received this from my oncologist after breast cancer treatment.. with an ER Pos 95%, so when he told me that I had to take this for 5 years.. ugh.. but that it would keep the breast cancer away.. Also, have massive headaches, but honestly, that could be coming from my neck or sinuses.. but have had worse headaches since I started taking this med.. Kind of afraid to jump off it though...
I am on my 4th year of anastrozole. My oncologists recently informed me I won't be on it for the 5 years protocol but 10 years ! I cried ,we talked she made it clear it's extending / saving my life. Yes the itching is very annoying. I too have itching on back, hands, feet, arm pits ,back of legs . And the sweats are tough !! My hair is soaked a few times a day. Showering helps with the itching beifky. I don't have dry skin it's more like a phantom creepy crawly itching. I get rashes in all those areas too anyone else ?
Yes I have been on those pesky meds for over six months. The itching on my back is insatiable. It makes me nuts! When I first started taking them, I broke out with hives on my arms.
I started taking it about 2 wks ago. Experienced same thing - dry skin, itching and then rash. Stopped taking it yesterday. Will give it a couple of days to see if it is being caused by the Anastrozole.
Yes, my skins, especially on my arms itches. . . besides this I have dry mouth, cracked sides of mouth, joint pain, hair loss. However, when it was prescribed by my oncologist following a double masectomy, he said there were hardly ever any side-effects!!
Related topics
breast cancer, pruritus, dry skin, anastrozole, medicine, skin
Further information
- Anastrozole uses and safety info
- Anastrozole prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Anastrozole (detailed)
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