Exemestane for breast cancer

About exemestane

Exemestane is a hormonal breast cancer 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.

Before taking exemestane

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:

• Si aún no ha llegado a la menopausia, o si existe la posibilidad de que pueda estar embarazada.

• Si tiene algún problema con el funcionamiento del hígado o de los riñones.

• Si tiene pérdida de densidad ósea o "huesos frágiles", una enfermedad conocida como osteoporosis.

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a un medicamento.

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.

How to take exemestane

• 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.

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• 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 compra algún medicamento "sin receta", compruebe con un farmacéutico que es seguro tomarlo con los medicamentos que le han recetado.

Can exemestane cause problems?

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.

Si experimenta otros síntomas que cree que pueden deberse a los comprimidos, consulte a su médico o farmacéutico.

How to store exemestane

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos