Patient Information Sheet
Exemestane (marketed as Aromasin)

This is a summary of the most important information about Aromasin. For details, talk to your healthcare professional.

 What is Aromasin used for?

Aromasin is used to treat advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women whose disease has gotten worse after treatment with tamoxifen.  Postmenopausal women are women who have gone through the  “change of life” and are no longer having menstrual cycles.

Aromasin is used to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence (coming back) in postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor positive early stage breast cancer who have received two to three years of tamoxifen and are switched to Aromasin to complete a total of five consecutive years of therapy.

The safety and effectiveness of Aromasin in women who can still have children (premenopausal) has not been determined.

General Precautions with Aromasin: 

Do not take Aromasin if you are pregnant. Aromasin may cause birth defects or even death to an unborn baby. Aromasin has only been studied in postmenopausal women.

Tell your doctor if you have a history of liver or kidney problems.

What should I tell my doctor or healthcare provider?

Because certain other medications can interact with Aromasin, review all medications that you are taking with your healthcare provider, including those that you take without a prescription. It is important to avoid taking any medications containing estrogen along with Aromasin, because they may interfere with the action of Aromasin.

If you are breastfeeding and are accidentally exposed to Aromasin tell your doctor right away.

What are some possible side effects of Aromasin? (This is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Aromasin. Your healthcare provider can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.)  

Side effects of Aromasin are generally mild to moderate. Side effects can include:

• Feeling tired
• Nausea
• Hot flashes
• Pain
• Depression
• Inability to sleep
• Anxiety
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Swelling of arms and legs
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Loss of appetite
• Coughing
• Flu-like symptoms
• High blood pressure
• Constipation

For more detailed information about Aromasin, ask your healthcare provider.

Link to Aromasin's Approved Labeling            

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Date created: June 28, 2000

Updated:  August 21, 2006

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