Exemestane is a medication used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It works by blocking the production of estrogen, a hormone that can promote the growth of certain types of breast cancer cells.

Exemestane is in a class of medications called aromatase inhibitors, which are used to reduce the amount of estrogen in the body. Lower estrogen levels help to diminish the energy for cancer growth, making aromatase inhibitors one of the most common breast cancer treatments.

Exemestane is available under the brand name Aromasin and comes in the form of a tablet to be taken orally.

Exemestane is used to treat both early and advanced breast cancer, a disease which more than 260,000 women in the US are diagnosed with each year. Exemestane is typically only prescribed for women who have gone through menopause and who have hormone receptor-positive tumors (meaning their tumors are responsive to hormones). It is typically used in women who have already undergone treatment with tamoxifen, a similar hormone therapy drug, for several years.

Exemestane is usually prescribed after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer coming back or spreading.

Exemestane is in a class of medications known as aromatase inhibitors, which are used to reduce the amount of estrogen in the body. It does this by inhibiting the enzyme aromatase, which your body uses to make estrogen.

Prior to menopause, the majority of the estrogen in your body is produced in the ovaries, and there is too much for exemestane to block. After menopause, however, the ovaries produce a much lower amount of estrogen, and exemestane can block much of the estrogen production. This is why exemestane and other aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are more effective in postmenopausal women.

Exemestane is typically only used in patients who have already been treated with tamoxifen for several years. The reason for this is that breast cancer cells can become less responsive to tamoxifen after a period of time, and tamoxifen also increases a woman’s risk of blood clots, stroke, and endometrial cancer. Studies have shown that patients who switch from tamoxifen to exemestane after 2-3 years have significantly better outcomes and lower cancer recurrence than patients who use tamoxifen for the entirety of their hormone therapy treatment.

Common side effects of exemestane include:

• Anxiety or depression
  
• Hot flashes and increased sweating
  
• Fatigue
  
• Headache
  
• Insomnia
  
• Constipation
  
• Joint pain or back pain
  

This is not a complete list of adverse effects – though these are among the most common. Seek medical attention right away if you experience symptoms such as shortness of breath or trouble breathing, chest pain, or swelling of the hands, feet, and ankles while taking exemestane.

As with all prescription medication, be sure to inform the prescribing doctor about any medical conditions you have been previously diagnosed with and any medication/ supplements you are currently taking before starting treatment with exemestane. Exemestane can also interact with other forms of medication and substances, causing potentially serious side effects.

Exemestane can lower your bone density, which increases your risk of developing osteoporosis.

In addition, let your doctor know about any birth control that you are using before taking exemestane, as many birth control methods contain estrogen which can impact the effectiveness of the exemestane treatment.

Although the changes of pregnancy are low in post-menopausal women, you should call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while on exemestane, as it may harm the fetus. You should not breastfeed during your treatment with exemestane and for 1 month after your final dose.

Exemestane comes as a tablet to take by mouth. Although usage will vary depending on the age of the patient and their body weight, it is usually taken once a day with food.​​ Take the medication exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not discontinue or increase your dosage of tinidazole without consulting with your provider first. If you begin to experience adverse side effects while taking this medication, like those listed above, inform your provider right away.

Exemestane should be stored in a closed container at room temperature, away from extreme heat, extreme cold, moisture, and direct light, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Exemestane is currently only available via prescription. This means the use of this drug must be authorized by a licensed health care provider.

Looking for a prescription? Providers on Sesame can write a prescription – or refill an existing one – during a virtual or in-person visit. Depending on the medication, you can arrange for same-day pickup at a pharmacy near you. Book an online consultation with a licensed provider on Sesame today to determine whether or not exemestane is right for you.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your health care provider. Providers on Sesame cannot prescribe controlled substances.

Good news! If deemed clinically appropriate, providers on Sesame can write a prescription for exemestane to be picked up near you – often within the same day! Simply talk to a clinician and get your online doctor prescription or refill ordered right away for fast and convenient pickup from a pharmacy of your choice.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your healthcare provider.