Exemestane
Generic Name: Exemestane (ex-e-MES-tane)
Brand Name: Aromasin
Exemestane is used for:Treating advanced breast cancer in women past menopause whose disease has progressed after treatment with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Exemestane is an aromatase inhibitor. It works by stopping the production of estrogen, which the breast cancer tumor needs to survive.
Do NOT use Exemestane if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Exemestane
- you have not undergone menopause
- you are pregnant or breast-feeding
- you are taking any medicines that contain estrogen
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Exemestane :Some medical conditions may interact with Exemestane . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have liver or kidney disease
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Exemestane . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following: - Estrogens because they may decrease Exemestane 's effectiveness
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Exemestane may
interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Exemestane :Use Exemestane as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Exemestane by mouth with food once daily at the same time each day.
- If you miss a dose of Exemestane and you are taking 1 dose daily, take the missed dose if you remember the same day. Skip the missed dose if you do not remember until the next day. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Exemestane .
Important safety information:
- Exemestane may cause dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Exemestane with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly
unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- It may take several weeks for Exemestane to work.
- Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Exemestane . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Exemestane should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Exemestane has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Exemestane while you are pregnant. It is not known if Exemestane is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Exemestane , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Exemestane :All medicines may
cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome: Anxiety; back, joint, muscle, or limb pain; constipation; coughing;
diarrhea; dizziness; fatigue; flu-like symptoms; hair loss; headache; hot flashes; increased appetite; increased sweating; loss of appetite; nausea;
pain; sleeplessness; stomach pain; swelling; tiredness; unexplained weight gain; vomiting. Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur: Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing;
tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; confusion; depression; numbness of an arm or leg; numbness or tingling in the skin, hands, or feet; one-sided weakness; severe stomach pain; sudden severe dizziness, headache, vomiting, or fainting; swelling of the hands, legs, or feet; vision or speech changes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have
questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Exemestane :Store Exemestane at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F
(15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Exemestane out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Exemestane , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Exemestane is to be used only by the patient for whom it
is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Exemestane . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Issue Date: September 5, 2007
Database Edition 07.3.1.003
Copyright © 2007 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
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