I am a 50yr old woman and am 2.5 years post-op stage 2, hormone receptor positive breast cancer. I had no chemo, only accelerated radiation treatment following surgery. Because of a total hysterectomy 10 years ago and now being deprived of any hormones, I take a myriad of medications including- only recently (4 weeks ago) replacing Tamoxifen with Arimidex. I have always had strong thick fingernails. Within the last 2 weeks my nails have ridges and have begun to flake and split and are very thin. I keep them at a reasonable length and healthy, and get manicures on occasion. They are so thin my 16yr old daughter noticed the dramatic change. My diet and health in general are about the same as before, so what is it? Obviously I should continue the Arimidex as prescribed, but I want to know what is going on? Anyone in a similar pickle?
Can Arimidex cause nail flaking, splitting and dramatically thinning?
Question posted by Streetfeet on 25 June 2015
Last updated on 2 May 2020 by KayPay
4 Answers
In reference to earlier comments -- during chemotherapy my nails were strong, healthy and fast growing. I started anastrozole 2 months after my last chemo and within just two weeks of starting anastrozole my nails started to split break and peel. I've been on anastrozole for 4 months. I keep my nails very short and keep them coated with a nail hardener polish to try to hold them together.
Yes, I am on anastrozole, the generic version of Arimidex, and my once super healthy nails are constantly breaking, splitting, cracking, peeling and are super thin from the medication. The anastrozole is the only change I’ve had made so I know it is due to that. I did NOT have chemo that might have affected them.
I began Tamoxifen in January 2013 and within months my nails were peeling and thin and will not grow. So I think both of these drugs must work the same way on our nails. Just one more thing to have to deal with. :(
I'm in a similar pickle, but I have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. I looked up the side effects of Arimidex and there were none related to the thin nails. My nails are very thin and split and even turn convex instead of concave sometimes. They cause me a lot of work to keep them looking presentable. Do you have either of the problems I mentioned above? Or a related one? I'm seeing as I age (58) more and more of the effects they have on skin and nails.
Related topics
arimidex, breast cancer, hysterectomy, cancer, surgery, breast, hormone, radiation, treatment
Further information
- Arimidex uses and safety info
- Arimidex prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Arimidex (detailed)
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