Exemestane for breast cancer

About exemestane

Exemestane is a hormonal cancer du sein treatment. Some breast cancers need the hormone oestrogen to grow. In women who have been through the menopause, the main source of oestrogen is through the change of sex hormones, called androgens, into oestrogen. An enzyme called 'aromatase' is needed for this change to occur. Exemestane works by blocking (inhibiting) this enzyme. This reduces the amount of oestrogen in your body, which slows the growth of the cancer cells.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking exemestane it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you have not yet gone through the menopause, or if there is a possibility you could be pregnant.

• Si vous avez des problèmes avec le fonctionnement de votre foie, ou des problèmes avec le fonctionnement de vos reins.

• If you have a loss of bone density, or 'brittle bones' - a condition known as osteoporosis.

• Si vous avez déjà eu une réaction allergique à un médicament.

• Si vous prenez d'autres médicaments. Cela inclut tous les médicaments que vous prenez et qui sont disponibles à l'achat sans ordonnance, ainsi que les médicaments à base de plantes et les médecines complémentaires.

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about exemestane and it will also provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from taking it.

• Take one 25 mg tablet of exemestane each day, exactly as your doctor tells you to.

• Swallow the tablet with a drink of water, preferably after a meal.

• You can take exemestane with whichever meal of the day you find easiest to remember, but try to take your doses with the same meal each day. This will help you to remember to take exemestane regularly.

• If you forget to take a dose at your usual time, take it (with a snack or something to eat) as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the following day, leave out the forgotten dose from the previous day and take the dose that is due as normal. Do not take two doses on the same day to make up for a missed dose.

• Continue to take the tablets regularly each day until your doctor tells you otherwise. You may need to take exemestane for a number of years.

• Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor and clinic. This is so your doctor can check on your progress. Exemestane lowers the levels of female hormones in your body, which can reduce the strength of your bones. You may need to have bone density tests to check for this before and during your treatment.

• If you are due to have an operation or any dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking exemestane.

• Si vous achetez des médicaments 'en vente libre', vérifiez avec un pharmacien qu'ils sont sûrs à prendre avec vos médicaments prescrits.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains the most common ones associated with exemestane. The best place to find a full list of the side-effects which can be associated with your medicine, is from the manufacturer's printed information leaflet supplied with the medicine. Alternatively, you can find an example of a manufacturer's information leaflet in the reference section below. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following become troublesome.

If you experience other symptoms which you think may be due to the tablets, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

• Gardez tous les médicaments hors de la portée et de la vue des enfants.

• Conserver dans un endroit frais et sec, à l'abri de la chaleur et de la lumière directes.