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Exemestane
Exemestane is approved to treat certain types of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. By reducing the amount of estrogen the body produces, the drug can help decrease the growth of the breast cancer. Prior to beginning treatment, be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any medical conditions you may have, as well as any medications you are taking. Some commonly reported side effects include hot flashes, nausea, and fatigue.
Exemestane (Aromasin®) is a prescription medication used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Specifically, the drug has been licensed to treat postmenopausal women who are switching from tamoxifen (Nolvadex®, Soltamox®) and have:
- Early breast cancer that is hormone receptor-positive and have had surgery or radiation
- Advanced breast cancer that has not responded to tamoxifen.
(Click What Is Exemestane Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
As with any medicine, side effects can occur with exemestane. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects of exemestane include but are not limited to:
- Hot flashes
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Hair loss (see Aromasin and Hair Loss)
- High blood pressure (hypertension).
(Click Side Effects of Exemestane to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report to your healthcare provider.)
To read about specific side effects, click the following eMedTV articles:
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD