Exemestane (Systemic)

Brand name(s): Aromasin

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For exemestane, the following should be considered:

Allergies-Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to exemestane. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy-Exemestane is meant to be used only by women who have experienced menopause and can no longer become pregnant, however, it is important to tell your doctor if you think you might be pregnant. If this medicine is taken by a pregnant woman for any reason it may cause harm to, and possibly even death of, the fetus.

Breast-feeding-It is not known whether exemestane passes into human milk. Studies in animals have shown that exemestane passes into rat milk. Because this medicine may cause serious side effects, breast-feeding is generally not recommended while you are taking it.

Older adults-Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of exemestane in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines-Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine including the following:

• Estrogens-Exemestane may not work as well

• Cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme inducers including:
• Carbamazepine or
• Phenobarbital or
• Phenytoin or
• Rifampin or
• St. John's Wort-Exemestane may not work as well, the dose may need to be changed

Other medical problems-The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of exemestane. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease-It is not known whether moderate or severe kidney or liver disease may increase the chance of side effects during treatment

Last Revised: 10/27/2004