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If you’re taking anastrozole (Arimidex) to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, it’s normal to worry about possible hormone treatment side effects. One frustrating side effect of a hormone therapy such as anastrozole is that it can cause unwanted weight gain. Some people may also find it harder to lose weight while taking it. This can be discouraging and may make it harder to stay motivated with treatment or keep healthy while you’re on it.
“I exercise moderately six days a week and have gained 10 pounds since I started taking this drug,” one MyBCTeam member said. “I feel like I’m pushing a door against hurricane winds.” Another member wrote, “Almost anything I eat makes me gain weight, and if I go on a trip and let my guard down, I’m sure to gain at least 3 pounds, which are almost impossible to get rid of.”
If you’re trying to manage your weight while on anastrozole or another aromatase inhibitor, here’s what you need to know. Read on to learn what’s behind the weight gain and get tips for how to make weight easier to manage while you’re taking them.
Anastrozole is an aromatase inhibitor. This category of medications may be used to treat or prevent breast cancer in people who have finished menopause or who are under treatment to suppress their ovaries. Anastrozole also helps prevent a breast cancer recurrence (return of the disease) in breast cancer survivors by interfering with proteins known as estrogen receptors.
Anastrozole is similar to tamoxifen but works in slightly different ways. Other common aromatase inhibitors are letrozole (Femara) and exemestane (Aromasin).
Some studies show that weight gain from aromatase inhibitors is usually small or may not even happen. Still, many people do notice weight gain. Study results may not reflect everyone’s real-life experiences with weight gain, since these can be affected by factors like age or estrogen levels (which can decline dramatically after menopause).
When people do gain weight while taking aromatase inhibitors, it seems more likely to happen during the first year of treatment. Other risk factors for gaining a significant amount of body weight include:
Weight management is often important both for personal reasons and for preventing or managing other medical conditions. That’s why finding effective ways to address unwanted weight gain while taking anastrozole is key.
Weight gain is listed as a potential side effect of anastrozole, though it’s not one of the more common ones. Still, some people find that this medication makes it harder to lose weight. This side effect can be discouraging, especially for people who are trying to feel comfortable in their bodies again after breast cancer treatment.
One MyBCTeam member said, “Anastrozole and its alternatives make it very hard to lose weight. I’ve tried unsuccessfully for two years. I met with a dietitian, strictly followed her recommended diet, and exercised every day for six months. I lost only 1.5 pounds. I felt fatigued and lifeless the whole time.”
“Well, I sure have been successful gaining weight on anastrozole … to the tune of about 35 pounds!” another member said.
There are steps you can take to support a healthy weight while taking anastrozole or another aromatase inhibitor, or to work toward weight loss once your anastrozole treatment is complete. Always talk with your doctor before starting any weight management plan.
Writing down all your snacks and meals can help you see whether you’re eating more than you think or less healthfully than you’d like. Making small changes to what you eat can lead to noticeable shifts in your weight. If adding up calories seems like too much trouble, you can try other ways to track what you eat, such as using your phone’s camera to keep a photo diary of your food or simply using a notebook to write down everything you eat.
Many alcoholic beverages have a lot of calories that don’t provide any benefits for your body. In addition, alcohol is often mixed with sweet syrups or soft drinks that add even more calories. Cutting out alcohol, especially if you drink regularly, can help you change or manage your weight. You can replace alcohol with low-calorie nonalcoholic beverages. If you don’t want to eliminate alcohol entirely, you can trade sugary cocktails for lower-calorie alcoholic drinks, such as a spirit (like vodka) with a no-calorie mixer (like soda water).
After breast cancer treatment, fatigue may have led to less exercise. Adding physical activity back into your routine is a good way to manage weight and boost energy. You can start small and slowly develop an exercise program. Even light exercise can make you feel better and support a healthy weight.
If you often find yourself overeating, increasing your fiber intake may help. Try eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Fiber helps your stomach feel fuller, so you may find you don’t need to eat as much to feel satisfied. Getting enough fiber is also an important part of a healthy, balanced diet during and after breast cancer treatment.
Some people struggle with weight even after trying diet and exercise changes. One factor may be insulin resistance, which happens when your cells don’t respond well to insulin, the hormone that regulates blood glucose (blood sugar). Insulin resistance can develop for a number of reasons. Over time, it can lead to type 2 diabetes. One member of MyBCTeam said, “I began to understand that insulin resistance might be the key.”
Even if your insulin levels are normal, eating in a way that keeps your blood sugar steady may help. This often means choosing more whole, nutrient-rich foods and fewer processed carbohydrates, such as sugary treats and white bread, which can cause insulin to spike.
Managing your weight doesn’t mean giving up everything you enjoy. Instead, focus on simple changes you can stick with:
Even small changes like these can make a difference while you’re taking aromatase inhibitors.
Because it’s unclear whether aromatase inhibitors directly cause weight gain, it’s worth looking at other possible causes for your weight changes or difficulty losing weight. Many medications can lead to unwanted weight gain, including some that aren’t related to breast cancer. Hormonal changes unrelated to breast cancer or aromatase inhibitors can also lead to weight gain. Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, can also play a role.
If you’re gaining weight and aren’t sure why, talk to a healthcare professional or your oncology team. They may run tests to help identify the cause and suggest more effective solutions. A registered dietitian or a wellness coach may also support you in managing your weight and feeling your best.
On MyBCTeam, people share their experiences with breast condition, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
Do you have any tips to manage unwanted weight gain while taking an aromatase inhibitor like anastrozole? Let others know in the comments below.
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A MyBCTeam Member
This article is total bull. First it tries to deny anastrozole causes weight gain and then it adds steps to make the reader if she takes these steps she will lose weight and then it ends that it could… read more