Anastrozole and bowel issues

I am on exemsstane also since last year and constipation has been my issue and gastritis now with issues with esophagus. They did colonoscopy and endoscopy and nothing except for the gastritis. So I have no idea. It just started a few months ago. I am not sure if the other ones are the same.

After nearly two years of Anastrozole I have pronounced worsening of gerd and raised cholesterol . It seems that some gasteroentrologists are not very au fait with gastric side effects of these drugs. Likewise I have needed to specifically request cholesterol checks despite these drugs being known for raising readings. I am depressed about the lack of awareness at times as these are now so widely prescribed.

Hi treb68, I have been on hormone blocker since 05-22-24. Letrozole gave me severe side effects. I started Anastrozole 1mg on 12-26-2024. I have had better results. I am 70 years old and have had constipation issues since I was 18 years old. I take Health Plus colon cleanse fiber w/Psyllium husk fiber and Natures Bounty Magnesium Glycinate to balance stool. I buy the fiber from a health food store and vitamin from Amazon. I take 1 heaping tablespoon of fiber w/water or juice right before bed. I take the Magnesium 2 a day(1@day 1@night) My stools are firm, not runny. This also cleanses old stool that has been trapped in the colon. I go in morning only 3 times then I'm done. Please note the colon cleanse instructs to build up usage to more times a day, I have been happy with the 1 dose at night. Hope this helps, I found Miralax gives me the runs.

@claudiaovando1 I am on Letrozole almost for a year now. I started drinking Dandelion Root tea made by Buddha Teas and it has help my GI issues tremendously. I drink it twice a day. I tried another brand and it was “roasted” Dandelion root tea-did NOT like the taste. I buy the Buddha tea when it is on sale at my local Sprouts.

Despite the fact that my oncologist says that Letrozole cannot cause constipation, i disagree. Since being on Letrozole since January 2025, I have increasingly worse symptoms. I eat a high fiber diet and use Metamucil daily but continue to have problems with severe constipation. Still looking for a better fix.

@penny21 thank you very much. What GI issues do you have? I think depending on what you use it for it will help me. I don't know what else to do and I don't want to stop the medication.

@reflector75 ...yes, lack of awareness, drives me crazy.

I've been on Anastrozole since July 2023. I had mild constipation most of my life, but since starting this med it has been terrible. Constipation, nausea, gerd type symptoms, abdominal pain occasionally. My onc says Nope, better go see Gastro. I did. Colonoscopy one year, endoscopy the next ... nothing, "clean as a whistle" my gastro said.
My symptoms continue.
I found a fabno-certified functional med dr, who listens and is trying to help. We've had a little success with magnesium, psyllium, probiotic. But still an issue. I've just been meeting with her since July, so we're still experimenting.
My big concern is that this stool sits in there for so long and estrogen that should be waste is reabsorbed, as well as other toxins? Dr's shrug when I asked this. Ok, they may not know the answer in the moment, but shouldn't they look into it??? Isn't it their job to figure these things out and help patients?