After 5 years on Anastrozole: Is weight loss a withdrawal symptom?

Posted by annawong @annawong, Dec 23, 2025

Diagnosed with breast cancer 2020, mystectomy Feb 2020 and was on Anastrozole for 5 years. Just stopped March 2025. Is weight loss one of the withdrawal symptom?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 23, 2025

@annawong, I extended the title of your discussion to reflect your question since there are many existing discussions about the end of treatment. See these related discussions:
- What happens when you stop taking anastrozole? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-happens-when-you-stop-taking-anastrozole/
- How did you wean off or stop Anastrozole? Any problems?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anastrozole-weaning/
- Completed 5 years of anastrozole. Withdrawal symptoms? Side effects?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stopping-anastrozole-after-5-years-withdrawal-symptoms/
Anna, some people experience weight gain while taking an aromatase inhibitor.
- Do aromatase inhibitors (like anastrozole) cause weight gain?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anastrazole-and-weight-gain/

Did you experince weight gain while taking anastrozole? Is this weight loss you're experiencing unwanted and unhealthy weight loss?

annawong | @annawong | Dec 23, 2025

In reply to @colleenyoung "@annawong, I extended the title of your discussion to reflect your question since there are many..." + (show)

@colleenyoung Thank you for replying. I did not gain weight when I was on Anastrozole. In fact I had problem gaining weight after the mystectomy. I went off Anas back in March but didnt notice anything, Only recently my friends commented that I lost weight. Had my annual check up early Dec. Mammograme came back clear. Blood test cancer marker came back good.