I have just been diagnosed and have started on Anastrozole. I have been taking ginkgo biloba for brain fog (concentration at work) and sea buckthorn/starflower oil. I also use Kalms (valerian and hops) for anxiety. Am I able to carry on with any of these whilst taking Anastrozole? Are vitamin and mineral supplements alright ie vitamin D and calcium and multivitamins? I also use whey casein protein powder - is this fine to use? Thank you
Hi northerngirl
Thank you for your post asking whether you can continue taking your supplements now you have started anastrozole. Many people ask about vitamin and herb supplements as they want to do as much as possible to be healthy. There is often the belief that vitamins and herbs are safe as they are considered natural. However, there is much we don’t know about supplements and herbal remedies. Herbal treatments don’t have to comply with the same regulations or rigorous testing that conventional medicines do. For many products there is a lack of research to support their use, and some can interfere with conventional medicines including cancer treatments.
You can search this American website, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, for information about individual herbs and vitamins. Each has sections on existing evidence and what known interaction there is with other medications. You may find that that some herbs have different names in America. You can also search herbal products and supplements on the European website Complementary and Alternative Medicine for cancer and on the American website Medicine Plus
Vitamin D and calcium supplements are often recommended to people taking aromatase inhibitors such as anastrozole to help protect your bone health but it is always important to speak to your breast care nurse, treatment team, GP, or a pharmacist before taking any supplements.
We offer a range of free supportive services for anyone who has had a diagnosis of breast cancer which you may be interested in. They include face to face and online courses and events.
For more details about all of these services, please see the information on the link, or call our free helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to more support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000. If you have hearing or speech difficulties prefix our number with 18001 and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.
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Best wishes
Katy
Breast Care Nurse
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