What Exemestane is and what it is used for:

• Exemestane belongs to a group of medicines known as aromatase inhibitors.


• Aromatase Inhibitors interfere with a substance called aromatase, which is needed to produce the female sex hormones, called oestrogens, especially in postmenopausal women.


• Reduction in oestrogen levels in the body is a way of treating hormone dependent breast cancer.

Exemestane is used:

• To treathormone dependent early breast cancerin postmenopausal women after they have completed 2-3 years of treatment with the medicine tamoxifen


• To treathormone dependent advanced breast cancerin postmenopausal women when a different hormonal drug treatment has not worked well enough.

What you need to know before you use Exemestane:

Do not use Exemestane:

Tell your doctor if you:

• If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to exemestane or any of the other ingredients of this medicine


• If you havenot already been through 'the menopause',i.e.you are still having your monthly period,


• If you arepregnant, or are likely to be pregnant


• If you arebreast-feeding.

Warnings and precautions:

You should let your doctor know:

• If you have problems with your liver or kidneys.


• If you have a history or are suffering from any condition which affects thestrength of your bones(e.g.Osteoprosis).

Other medicines and Exemestane:

• Exemestane shouldnotbe given at the same time asoestrogen-containing medicines,for example hormone replacement therapy (HRT).


• The following medicines should be used cautiously when taking Exemestane:


• Rifampicin (an antibiotic),


• Carbamazepine or phenytoin (medicines used to treat epilepsy),


• The herbal remedy St Johns Wort (Hypericum perforatum), or preparations containing it.

How to use Exemestane:

• Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you.


• Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Dosage:

• Adults and the elderly


• The reccomended dose isone tablet daily after a meal, at approximately the same time each day.


• Use in children and adolescents


• Exemestane is not suitable for children and adolescents under the age of 18.

Method of administration:

• You should take Exemestane tablets by mouth.


• Donot chewthe tablets.


• You can swallow the tablets with some liquid (e.g.a glass of water, 200ml).


• Your doctor will tell you how long you should take Exemestane tablets.

Possible side effects:

• Stop using the product and seek immediate medical attention if


• You have signs of a decreased number of white blood cells called leucocytes.


• Symptoms can include frequent infections, fatigue, sleepiness, fever and headache.


• You have signs of a decreased number of blood cells called platelets.


• Symptoms can include brusing easily, prolonged bleeding from cuts, bleeding gums, nose bleeds, fatigue and yellowing of the skin and/or whites of the eyes (jaundice).


• Your bones seem weaker and/or have been easily fracturered as this may indicate that your bones have thinned and weakend (osteoporosis).

How to store Exemestane:

• Store below 30°C in a dry place.


• Store in the original container in order to protect from light.


• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.