Exemestane is a drug used in the treatment of breast cancer in women who have gone through menopause. It may be used in women for whom adjuvant tamoxifen therapy is not working or in women with advanced breast cancer that is not responding to treatment. This drug is available by prescription only and women must be supervised by a doctor while they take it. It is sold under the brand name Aromasin® and some pharmacies may require advance notice to stock it because it is not a frequently used medication in some areas.
Many breast cancers are characterized by being estrogen receptor positive, needing estrogen to grow larger. Medications like exemestane reduce the amount of estrogen in the body, cutting off the supply to the cancer and preventing the tumors from growing larger. This particular medication is an aromatase inhibitor. It blocks the action of the enzyme aromatase, preventing it from converting androgens in the body into estrogen.
Exemestane is taken in tablet form once a day. Patients can experience side effects like nausea, anxiety, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, bone pain, and chest pain. Side effects vary widely between patients and patients should report the side effects they experience to their doctors, as some may be indicators of dangerous complications. Shortness of breath and chest pain in particular are causes for concern in patients taking exemestane.
This breast cancer treatment may not be suitable for all patients. The patient's cancer needs to be thoroughly evaluated to determine if it is estrogen sensitive and the patient's general level of health will need to be taken into account as well. Certain preexisting conditions can complicate the use of exemestane. A patient's medical history will be evaluated closely for any signs that might indicate that the medicine is contraindicated and women should make sure they understand why the medication is being prescribed and how they are supposed to use it. Patients may want to ask for specific instructions on what to do about missed doses and how to store and dispose of the medication responsibly.
This medication is very dangerous in pregnant and breastfeeding women. Since it is primarily used in post-menopausal women, these risks only become an issue when it is being used for off-label purposes. If this medication is recommended for a woman who might become pregnant, she will be advised to take special precautions to avoid becoming pregnant, and men using the drug for off-label use also need to avoid impregnating their partners.