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 |