Exemestane

Generic name: Exemestane
Brand names: Aromasin
Dosage form: oral tablet

Usage of Exemestane

Exemestane (Aromasin) is a third-generation aromatase inhibitor used to treat hormone responsive breast cancers in women who are postmenopausal - have gone through menopause.

Some breast cancer cells need the hormone estrogen to grow. Exemestane works by blocking the enzyme aromatase, which converts androgen hormones into estrogen.

In premenopausal women the main source of estrogen is the ovaries. But in postmenopausal women, the main source of estrogen is from the conversion of androstenedione and testosterone - adrenal and ovarian androgen hormones - by the enzyme aromatase.

Exemestane is an irreversible, steroidal aromatase inactivator that works by binding to and and inactivating aromatase, an effect that is known as 'suicide inhibition'. This prevents aromatase from converting androgens into estrogen and cuts of the supply of estrogen that the breast cancer cells need to grow.

Exemestane was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and in 1999 and marketed under the brand name Aromasin. Aromasin tablets are still available, but generic exemestane tablets have also been available for more than a decade.

Exemestane side effects

Exemastane may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Bone loss. Exemastane decreases the amount of estrogen in your body which may reduce your bone mineral density (BMD) over time. This may increase your risk for bone fractures or weak and brittle bones (osteoporosis). Your doctor may check your bones during treatment with exemastane if you have osteoporosis or at risk for osteoporosis.

    • The most common side effects of exemastane in women with early breast cancer include:

  • hot flashes
  • headache
  • feeling tired
  • trouble sleeping
  • joint pain
  • increased sweating

    • The most common side effects of exemastane in women with advanced breast cancer include:

  • hot flashes
  • increased sweating
  • nausea
  • increased appetite
  • feeling tired

    • Your doctor will do blood tests to check your vitamin D level before starting treatment with exemastane.

    Exemastane may cause decreased fertility in males and females. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about fertility.

    These are not all the possible side effects of exemastane. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

    Before taking Exemestane

    Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Taking exemastane during pregnancy or within 1 month of becoming pregnant can harm your unborn baby.

    Females who are able to become pregnant should have a pregnancy test within 7 days before starting treatment with exemastane.

    Females who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraceptive) during treatment with exemastane and for 1 month after your last dose of exemastane. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

    Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if exemastane passes into your breast milk. Do not breast-feed during treatment with exemastane and for 1 month after your last dose of exemastane.

    How to use Exemestane

    The recommended dose of exemestane is one 25mg tablet taken once a day after a meal.

    See full prescribing information for further information about exemestane dosing.

    What other drugs will affect Exemestane

    Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.

    Especially tell your doctor if you take medicines that contain estrogen, including other hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills or patches. Exemastane should not be taken with medicines that contain estrogen as they could affect how well exemastane works.

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