exemestane

Generic Name: exemestane (ex e MES tane)
Brand Name: Aromasin

What is exemestane?

Exemestane lowers estrogen levels in postmenopausal women, which may slow the growth of certain types of breast tumors that need estrogen to grow in the body.

Exemestane is used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It is often given to women whose cancer has progressed even after taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex, Soltamox) for 2 to 3 years.

Exemestane may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about exemestane?

Do not use exemestane if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby or cause a miscarriage.

You may need to take a pregnancy test before using exemestane, to make sure you are not pregnant.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to exemestane, or if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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Before using exemestane, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, or if you have not yet completed menopause and are still having menstrual periods.

Use exemestane regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely. You may need to keep taking take this medication for up to 5 years. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Exemestane may not work as well if you take it together with hormone replacement medication, or while using birth control pills or patches.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking exemestane?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to exemestane, or if you are breast-feeding a baby.

To make sure you can safely take exemestane, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• liver disease;

• kidney disease; or

• if you have not yet completed menopause, and are still having menstrual periods.

Exemestane can decrease bone mineral density, which may increase your risk of developing osteoporosis. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk of bone loss.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use exemestane if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby or cause a miscarriage. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

You may need to take a pregnancy test before using exemestane, to make sure you are not pregnant.

It is not known whether exemestane passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take exemestane?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Exemestane is usually taken once per day, after a meal. Try to take the medicine at the same time each day.

Use exemestane regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely. You may need to keep taking take this medication for up to 5 years. Follow your doctor's instructions.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.

Store in the original container at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Exemestane dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking exemestane?

Avoid coming into contact with your body fluids (including urine, feces, vomit, semen, vaginal fluid). Chemotherapy can pass into body fluids. Patients or caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from other laundry.

Body fluids should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant. Use condoms during sexual activity to avoid exposure to body fluids.

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Exemestane side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• new or unusual bone pain;

• vision problems;

• swelling in your hands or feet;

• feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion; or

• chest pain, sudden numbness or weakness, sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance.

Less serious side effects may include:

• hot flashes;

• headache, tired feeling;

• anxiety;

• joint pain;

• upset stomach;

• depressed mood;

• sleep problems (insomnia); or

• increased sweating.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: exemestane side effects (in more detail)

Exemestane Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Breast Cancer:

For early and advanced breast cancer:

Recommended dose: 25 mg orally once daily after a meal.

In postmenopausal women with early breast cancer who have been treated with two to three years of tamoxifen, treatment with exemestane should continue in the absence of recurrence or contralateral breast cancer until completion of five years of adjuvant endocrine therapy.

For patients with advanced breast cancer, treatment with exemestane should continue until tumor progression is evident.

What other drugs will affect exemestane?

Exemestane may not work as well if you take it together with hormone replacement medication, or while using birth control pills or patches.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• bosentan;

• dexamethasone;

• St. John's wort;

• rifabutin, rifampin, or rifapentine;

• a barbiturate such as butabarbital, secobarbital, pentobarbital, or phenobarbital;

• HIV medication such as efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine, or ritonavir;

• medicines to treat narcolepsy, such as armodafinil or modafinil ; or

• seizure medication such as carbamazepine, felbamate, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, or primidone.

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with exemestane. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about exemestane.