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.

Treatment with Aromasin typically begins after two to five years of treatment with tamoxifen.

Who Uses Aromasin?

Aromasin is for post-menopausal women with estrogen-receptor positive early breast cancer, or advanced breast cancer that has not responded to treatment with other medications. It is typically only used after treatment with tamoxifen has already taken place for at least two years.

Aromasin is an adjuvant treatment for women who have already undergone surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.

How it Works

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 tamoxifen have already taken place. In advanced cancers, Aromasin may be prescribed after five years of tamoxifen treatment. Tamoxifen should be discontinued once treatment with Aromasin has begun.

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

Taking Aromasin

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 tamoxifen have already taken place, treatment with Aromasin is generally 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.

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 not severe, including:

• Hot flashes
• 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)
• Confusion or difficulty speaking
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of balance

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

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.