Does taking aromatase inhibitor at night contribute to insomnia?

Posted by sterzi @sterzi, Mar 13, 2023

I have been taking anastrozole for 2+ years. I take it before bed. I have been dealing with insomnia. Could this have contributed to it?

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kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Mar 18 7:12am

In reply to @glendafl "I’ve been taking Leprozole for 5 days now. Tonight I can’t sleep. Is this normal? Has..." + (show)

Taking an AI absolutely causes insomnia. Had it for all 5 years. Stopped in November - still struggle to fall asleep sometimes. I complained to Oncologist & my Primary doctor. Finally started taking CALM for Sleep - gummies, took 4 a night and that really helped. It's just magnesium. Good luck with this problem.

alibee | @alibee | Mar 19 12:24pm

I’ve been on letrozole for five months. When I first started taking it, I started in the morning and had a terrible time falling asleep. I switched to taking it at bedtime which made a huge difference. I sometimes wake in the middle of the night so will sometimes take a CBD gummy at bedtime, which usually helps me fall back to sleep more quickly.

cctoo. Catherine Crowley | @cctoo | Mar 20 7:18am

In reply to @alibee "I’ve been on letrozole for five months. When I first started taking it, I started in..." + (show)

any other side effects?

alibee | @alibee | Mar 20 11:52am

In reply to @cctoo "any other side effects?" + (show)

First started with anastrozole but had a reaction (itchy all over) so was switched to letrozole. I initially experienced hot flashes and stiffness in my hips after sitting for a while, but both resolved on their own. Thought I might be losing more hair than usual so doctor recommended an inexpensive hair, skin & nail supplement and that problem was solved. Otherwise, I’m thankful to be pretty much symptom free. Supplements I’ve always taken that may be helping me: Estroven (rhubarb root extract) for hot flashes and a triple action joint health supplement from Costco. I also upped my calcium intake, walk daily and do a weight-bearing workout once a week.

phyl74 | @phyl74 | May 3 9:09am

I have taken Anastrazole for 6 days now. The insomnia is awful. I've had trouble sleeping since menopause (I'm now 74) and have taken low dose Xanax to help. But now....oh my...last night I ended up taking 15 mg. of melatonin and a tad more Xanax than prescribed and finally got to sleep about 1:30 a.m. I don't know what to do. Can anyone help?

anjalima | @anjalima | May 4 4:51am

In reply to @phyl74 "I have taken Anastrazole for 6 days now. The insomnia is awful. I've had trouble sleeping..." + (show)

I switched to brand Arimidix and the insomnia ceased. It’s unbelievably expensive but an online pharmacy, Eagle Pharmacy, in Florida sells it for $60/month supply they don’t accept INSURANCE . It changed my insomnia dramatically. Will need your doc to send them the script. Very easy to work with and do not charge for shipping my 3 mo. Supply. May be worth a try.

phyl74 | @phyl74 | May 4 1:26pm

In reply to @anjalima "I switched to brand Arimidix and the insomnia ceased. It’s unbelievably expensive but an online pharmacy,..." + (show)

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. It seems the med I am taking (anastrazole) is actually the generic for the brand name Arimidix. So there should not be much, if any, difference in them. Somehow, I DID SLEEP last night. I don't know yet whether this was a one off or my body is adjusting to the med. I will keep your info about the FL pharmacy at hand, though, in case I need it. So appreciate your response!