Aromasin (exemestane) is an anti-estrogen medication used in the adjuvant treatment of estrogen-receptor positive early breast cancer in post-menopausal women. It may also be used in cases of advanced breast cancer when other medications have failed.

Aromasin is an adjuvant treatment for women who have already undergone surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. Treatment with Aromasin typically begins after two to five years of prior treatment with tamoxifin.

How Does it Work?

Aromasin inhibits the production of the hormone estrogen in post-menopausal women. Many types of breast cancers are stimulated by estrogen, so sufficiently lowering the levels of estrogen in the body effectively stops the growth of those breast cancer cells.

For women with early breast cancer, treatment with Aromasin begins after two to three years of treatment with tamoxifin have already taken place. In advanced cancers, Aromasin may be prescribed after five years of tamoxifin treatment. Tamoxifin should be discontinued once treatment with Aromasin has begun.

Clinical trials indicate that women who switch to Aromasin after initial treatment with tamoxifin experience significantly less breast cancer recurrence, as well as reduced risk of developing cancer in the other breast, when compared to women who used only tamoxifin.

How is it Taken?

Aromasin comes in tablets, typically 25 mg, though in some cases up to 50 mg may be prescribed. Aromasin should be taken with or immediately after a meal.

Missed doses may be taken as soon as they are remembered, or skipped entirely if it is near time for the next dose. Double doses should be avoided. If overdose occurs, seek medical attention immediately.

Treatment length may vary depending on the situation and patient response. For treating early breast cancer in which two to three years of tamoxifin have already taken place, treatment with Aromasin generally takes place for another two to three years for a total of five years adjuvant therapy.

The prescribing physician may recommend frequent blood testing while taking Aromasin to monitor patient response and watch for adverse effects. In some cases a pregnancy test may also be required before Aromasin is prescribed.

Ingredients:

Active ingredient: exemestane

Inactive ingredients: magnesium stearate, magnesium carbonate, colloidal silicon dioxide, methylparaben, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol 6000, polysorbate 80, titanium dioxide, crospovidone, polyvinyl alcohol, mannitol, simethicone, hypromellose, sucrose, sodium starch glycolate

Patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in Aromasin should not take this product.

Adverse Effects:

Aromasin has been extensively tested in clinical trials. However, like most medications, it is associated with certain side effects in a small percentage of patients.

Most side effects are relatively mild, including:

• Hot flashes
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Joint pain
• Upset stomach
• Depression
• Difficulty sleeping
• Increased sweating

Though rare, some patients may experience more severe side effects which warrant medical attention:

• New or unusual bone pain
• Vision problems
• Swelling in hands or feet (edema)
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion or difficulty speaking
• Loss of balance

A very small percentage of patients (less than 0.5%) may experience heart failure while taking Aromasin.

Contraindications and Interactions:

Aromasin is for post-menopausal women only, and may cause miscarriage or harm nursing or unborn babies.

There are a number of prescription and non-prescription medications which may interact with Aromasin and reduce its effectiveness or cause severe side effects. It is vital that the prescribing physician be made aware of all medications being taken and any other medical conditions, and be alerted to any changes.