What Is Aromasin Used For?

Aromasin contains exemestane, an aromatase inactivator that works by significantly reducing the supply of estrogen to cancer cells, stopping the growth of cancer cells that need estrogen to grow.

Primary Uses

Aromasin is used to treat breast cancer in women who no longer have their menstrual periods, either naturally due to their age (after menopause) or because they have had their ovaries surgically removed. It is also used to reduce the risk of recurrence or spreading of breast cancer, and when cancer has not responded or has returned after treatment with other medicines.

How It Works

Aromasin is an aromatase inactivator that works by significantly reducing the supply of estrogen (a natural female sex hormone) to cancer cells. This stops the growth of those cancer cells which normally need estrogen to grow.

How to Take Aromasin

Take Aromasin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The medication should be taken consistently at the same time each day after a meal.

Dosage Instructions

The recommended dose is one 25 mg tablet taken once daily after meals at approximately the same time each day. Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully as they may differ from the general recommendations. Your doctor will tell you how long to take Aromasin.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

Available Tablet Strengths

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Indigestion
• Pain (including stomach ache)
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Hot flushes
• Skin rash or itching
• Hair loss
• Trigger finger (gets stuck in a bent position)

Important Warnings

There are important safety considerations and medical conditions that need to be discussed with your doctor before starting Aromasin.

Who Should Not Take Aromasin

Do not use Aromasin if you are allergic to exemestane or any of the ingredients. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin. Aromasin is not recommended for use in children.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor before starting Aromasin if you are still having your monthly period, have or have had kidney problems, have or have had liver problems, have osteoporosis (disease which causes bones to be more brittle and likely to break), or have a vitamin D deficiency.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Do not take Aromasin if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Aromasin may affect your developing baby if you take it during pregnancy. Do not breastfeed while taking Aromasin as there is a possibility that your baby may be affected.

Drug Interactions

Some medicines may interfere with Aromasin and affect how it works. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking.

• Medicines which contain estrogen, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• Oral contraceptives
• Health food products containing estrogens
• Natural estrogens found in some health food products for menopausal symptoms

Alcohol & Driving

Aromasin may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely due to potential side effects like tiredness and dizziness.

Alcohol

No specific alcohol warnings are mentioned in the prescribing information.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Aromasin affects you. Aromasin may cause tiredness in some people. If Aromasin makes you feel dizzy, be careful when getting up from a sitting or lying position. If you experience these effects whilst taking Aromasin, you should not attempt to drive or operate machinery.

Storage

Keep your tablets in their blister pack until it is time to take them. If you take the tablets out of the blister pack they may not keep well. Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight, where the temperature stays below 30°C. Do not store in the bathroom or near a sink, or in the car or on window sills. Keep it where young children cannot reach it.

Overdose Information

If you think that you have used too much Aromasin, you may need urgent medical attention. You should immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (by calling 13 11 26 in Australia, or 0800 POISON or 0800 764 766 in New Zealand), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

Frequently Asked Questions