Aromasin
(exemestane)
What is Aromasin ?
Aromasin is a drug used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal
women (women who have gone through the menopause/change of life). It is a type of hormone
treatment and is known as an aromatase inhibitor.
How does it work?
Some breast cancers rely on the female hormone oestrogen for their growth. This means that in post-menopausal women with these types of breast cancers, oestrogen can encourage the tumour to grow. An enzyme known as aromatase, which is found in the liver and fatty tissue, converts other hormones called androgens into oestrogen. Aromasin works by
stopping this conversion from taking place so the amount of oestrogen circulating in the
body is reduced.
When is Aromasin prescribed?
There are different types of breast cancer and not all of them respond to Aromasin.
Aromasin is most useful for breast cancers that rely on oestrogen for their growth (oestrogen receptor positive tumours).Aromasin may be prescribed if your breast cancer comes back or progresses while you are taking tamoxifen. Aromasin may be given as part of a Clinical Trial.
How is Aromasin taken ?
Aromasin comes as a tablet (25mg) that you take once a day, preferably after a meal. It is
best to take it at the same time each day. If you miss a dose you donѳt need to take a
replacement dose as the drug will remain in your system from the previous day.
Store Aromasin tablets out of the reach of children, at room temperature, away from heat
and light and moisture.
Will it work for me even though I have been
taking Tamoxifen ?
If you have responded to a hormone therapy before, there is a good chance you will
respond to a different type of hormone therapy. Trials have shown that Aromasin can be
effective in women who have previously responded to Tamoxifen and other hormone
treatments. A clinical trial is currently looking at whether changing to Aromasin after
two to three years on Tamoxifen is better than taking Tamoxifen for five years.
How long will I have to take Aromasin ?
This will vary from person to person. You will usually continue to take the drug for
as long as it is keeping your cancer under control. Your specialist will discuss with
you how long you need to carry on taking it. If for any reason you want to stop taking
Aromasin, it is important to consult your specialist first.
What are the side effects of Aromasin ?
Everyone reacts to drugs differently and some people experience more side effects
than others. The known side effects of Aromasin are listed below. It is important to
remember that you may not get any of these. If you experience any side effects that you are
concerned about, talk to your specialist or breast care nurse. Aromasin can increase the risk
of bone thinning (osteoporosis) so you may be started on Calcium and Vitamin D
supplements.
More common side effects
You may have symptoms such as nausea and vomiting which can sometimes be helped by
taking your tablet with food. If the symptoms donѳt improve, talk to your specialist as there
are other ways of controlling these side effects. Another common side effect is tiredness.
As with most hormonal treatments, you may have menopausal symptoms such as
hot flushes. You can do practical things to help yourself such as wearing cotton clothing
and reducing your intake of caffeine and alcohol.
For further information see our factsheet on Understanding and Managing Menopausal Symptoms. and our booklet on Complementary Therapies .
Less common side effects
These include increased perspiration, constipation,increased appetite, weight
gain, insomnia (sleeplessness)and feeling low.
Rare side effects
You are unlikely to experience any of these side effects but it may still be helpful to
be aware of them. These include flu-like symptoms,abdominal discomfort,raised blood pressure,
breathlessness or coughing.
Can I take Aromasin with my other Drugs ?
It is not advisable to take other drugs containing oestrogen, such as the contraceptive pill or HRT, while you are taking Aromasin. Other drugs thought to reduce the effectiveness of Aromasin include:
- The Anti – Tuburculosis (TB) drup rifampacine
- The Anti – convulsants Phrnytoin Sodium and Carbamazepine
- The herbal remedy St. John's Wort.
Please tell your doctor and dentist that you are being treated with Aromasin before
having any treatment with them.
Further Support
If you have any concerns about taking Aromasin you can talk to your specialist or breast care nurse. You might find it easier to share your feelings with someone who has had a similar
experience to you. Reach to Recovery is a programme set up to help and support women
who have recently had a breast cancer diagnosis. The programme works on the
principle of personal contact between the patient and a Reach to Recovery volunteer – a
woman who has had treatment for breast cancer.
Carefully selected and fully trained
volunteers are available to provide advice and reassurance at a time when a woman is
most in need of both. For more information on individual support or support groups in
your area, call the National Cancer Helpline Freefone
1800 200 700.
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