Aromasin
The below information on Aromasin has been taken from official FDA sources, but we cannot guarantee it's accuracy. Please use this site for educational purposes only. This site does not replace a proper discussion with your doctor.
| Brand Name: | Aromasin |
| Generic: | Exemestane |
| Availability: | Prescription |
| This drug was approved by the FDA in one form or another on: 1999-10-21 , | |
| This drug is made in one form or another by the following companies: Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc. | |
| This drug is available in the following forms: Tablets | |
| View the actual FDA approved label for this drug at the following links: PDF Label |
About Aromasin
Aromasin is used to treat advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women whose disease has gotten worse after treatment with tamoxifen. Postmenopausal women are women who have gone through the “change of life” and are no longer having menstrual cycles.
Aromasin is used to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence (coming back) in postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor positive early stage breast cancer who have received two to three years of tamoxifen and are switched to Aromasin to complete a total of five consecutive years of therapy.
The safety and effectiveness of Aromasin in women who can still have children (premenopausal) has not been determined.
Precautions for Aromasin
Do not take Aromasin if you are pregnant. Aromasin may cause birth defects or even death to an unborn baby. Aromasin has only been studied in postmenopausal women.
Tell your doctor if you have a history of liver or kidney problems.
Side Effects of Aromasin
Side effects of Aromasin are generally mild to moderate. Side effects can include:
- Feeling tired
- Nausea
- Hot flashes
- Pain
- Depression
- Inability to sleep
- Anxiety
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Swelling of arms and legs
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
- Coughing
- Flu-like symptoms
- High blood pressure
- Constipation
User Comments and Reviews:
Bonnie side effects May 12th, 2008 Rating: 10.0000 I started taking Aromasin in Nov 2003. I have had some hot flashes and sweats. I would like to know if pain in joints could be a possiable side effect. I have noticed pain in my knee and finger joints since I begain taking this medication. I had not had any trouble before starting the medication. Sheri all of the above May 12th, 2008 Rating: 9.0000 I have been taking aromasin for 1 year now after tamox. I have also tried arimidex, and femara....all with the same side effects only the bone/joint pain felt worse for me on arimidex and femara. I have all of the side effects that you speak of here as well as hair loss. It is a challenge each day to swallow that little pill. When you feel this way it is hard to remember to find the quality in life verses quanity. I have many times considered stopping everything and take my chances but then my mind goes back to the first day of diagnosis and reading my pathology report and I kindly remind myself to be gentle with myself and remain on this medication that seems to show great promise in keeping the cancer cells at bay~my own chances brought me to this place. I was diagnosed at 37 with this challenge and I will keep pushing ahead even though I too feel 82 at the age of 42. My hope and goal is to reach the age of 82 and be able to watch my children grow and have children of their own. If we can endure the chemo effects....the aches and pains from this medication cannot be all bad???? Good luck ladies. My heart goes out to all who understand what it takes to make it through this battle. Anonymous No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: 4.0000 I just began taking Aromasin today. I've searched everywhere and can't find out if I should take this medicine with food or without food. If you have the answer, please share it. Thanks. t burgess aromasin side effects May 12th, 2008 Rating: 2.0000 I have had trouble with swelling in my hands and feet since I began using Aromasin in June of this year. I have also felt like an old lady (I'm only 48) with stiffness and achiness in my joints. I don't sleep well at night anymore and have been dealing with depression. I wish there was another alternative other than Aromasin. I have already been on tamoxifen for 21/2 years and am considering risking not taking anything more for the remaining 2 years. Anonymous No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: 0.0000 Since taking aromasin, i noticed that i have heartburn in spite of what i take for it.Also one boot on my leg is tighter than the other. can the heartburn be a side effect? Libby extreme fatigue May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I switched to Aromasin after thirteen months on Arimidex due to aches in my bones/joints, weakness and general fatigue. I switched back to Arimidex after one month on Aromasin because I became literally debilitated by extreme fatigue. I wonder if anyone else has had a similar experience with these two medications. They are wonderful drugs if we can just manage the side effects...I have three and one-half years to go. What happens after the five year protocol? Do we feel normal again? I would be very interested in your feedback. Thanks. Lynda Navarro Breast Cancer May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I have been taking Aromasin for about 3 months now, and I have a lot of coughing, and Insomnia. I have had hot flashes at first 2 or 3 times a day, but for the last 2 weeks, I only get hot flashes every couple of days.
I have a lot stiffness and pain in my fingers, and one knee. My neck gives me problems with cramping. I sometimes take Aromasin with food or without, and I don't really don't notice a lot of difference. On my prescription it says to take Aromasin with food. Let me know if any knew news comes up about this medication?
Thank You.
Lynda NavarroLisa Hairloss May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated Is anyone having hairloss that you would attribute to Aromasin? anonymous aromasin and heartburn May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I also started taking aromasin. Have been on it for about 1 month now. Started experiencing heartburn and get no relief with anything I take for it. My doctor explained all the side effects of this drug, but said nothing about heartburn. Is this side effect happening to anyone else?? DEBBIE D No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I HAVE BEEN TAKING AROMASIN FOR 1 YEAR, LATELY I HAVE BEEN HAVING SHORTNESS OF BREATH AND CHEST PAIN, I'VE SEEN THE CARDIOLOGIST HAD STRESS TESTS AND PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTS, (NO RESULTS AS OF TODAY) HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD SYMPTOMS SUCH AS THIS? I HAVE BEEN CONSIDERING STOPPING THE MED BECAUSE IT IS SO UNCOMFORTABLE. Linda aromasin May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I've been taking aromasin for 4 months after 2 years on tamoxifen. I've had headaches especially at night, painful ankles, knees, neck, ribs when I breathe. I had been eating a lot of advil. When I went to the oncologist he found enlarged lymph nodes under the arms. A needle biopsy was inconclusive. I suspect a return of the cancer. I wondered if I was really feeling all this bad or was I being mental so I switched back to some tamoxifen I had left over. Almost all of the pain disappeared but, of course my oncologist was not pleased that I did this. I don't mean to self medicate but if the Aromasin is not going to work for me why should I take it? After reading some of the responses on this website I know I'm not the only one. Helen aromasin & moods May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I am experiencing severe mood swings after switching to aromasin from tamoxifen. Hair is thinning, joints are aching, arm/leg swelling. But most disturbing side effect is extreme anxiety not noticed with tamoxifen. Interested in thoughts from other women who may have experienced this and other noticeable side effects. I am considering going off this rx and just taking my chances against this disease. Anonymous No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I was changed to Aromasin in January. By June my hands became so sore I could not make a fist. Within two months I could barely walk and was so exhausted that every activity was an effort as my entire body was in pain. I went to physical therapy for two months but was released since the pt was so frustrated that nothing he did could help me. My doctor sent me to a rheumatologist who determined the pain in my hands and feet was directly related to the aromasin, but she has also diagnosed me with severe fibromyalgia. I, too, have continual heartburn. My body (read diarrehea) is trying to get used to the second antidepressent which was diagnosed for the fibromyalgia,and I also suffer from depression. I'll put up with the diarrehea for a little while if the pains and fatigue will go away. I'm going to try imodium after I talk with the pharmacist. Kathleen Dochtermann skin problems May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I have been on Aromasin about 9 months and am having a progressively worse skin problem. My hands and my feet crack, bleed and burn. Anyone else have a similar problem? Can't attribute it to any other changes in my life. Was on Anestrolze (?)first, but that made my lips crack and bleed. Lenore Roth side effects of Aromisin May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated Hi, I have been on Aromisin for about 7 months after taking Tamoxafin for a year. I also am experiencing heart burn, headaches, a huge weight gain, water retention, I tire easily, and my hands are numb and feel like they are asleep half the day. My feet also hurt. I am told all these symptoms are part of this course of treatment. Is anyone having trouble with loss of feling in their hands? Much good health to all of us Breast Cancer Survivors! Lenore Diane quality of life! May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I am off of Arimidex for one month, after taking it for 14 months. In January my Onc. wants to start me on femera or aromisin. After reading all side effects from this and many websites, I have decided that quality of life is more important for me at age 58, so I am opting to take my chances with good yearly checkups, AND NO MEDICATION! Anonymous No Subject May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I took Aromasin for 4 months. As soon as I started taking it, I could
feel the depression and anxiety mounting inside me. I had been on
Tamoxifen for 4 yrs and then Femara for 2 years prior to the Aromasin
and had no side effects (except for occasional hot flashes) from
either one of these drugs.
I'm now on Faslodex (I started it after stopping the Aromasin). It, too
makes me feel depressed and anxious. I have decided that as long as it
is working, I will just realize that the depression is from my
medication, which I have to take, so I can deal with it better.Val Aromasin and hair loss May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated After DCIS and radiation, I was on Arimidex for a year. Stopped that when the neuropathy in my feet started. Switched to Aromasin, which has been pretty tolerable. Have been on that for about 2 1/2 years. About every 12 months, I need to take a break from it because of some side effect that I am having. This seems to help me tolerate resuming. Lately, however, I have been losing my eyebrow hair. Had a bald spot on my right brow for a while, then it grew back. Same thing happened again. Now, I have very thin hair on both, and the latest wrinkle is that it is accompanied by itching. At first, itching was just on eyebrows. Now it is all over my face. Has any one else experienced this? K Numbness in fingers May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I have been on Aromasin since October 2007 -- I tried Femara and Arimidex - extreme, daily headaches. My fingers have been swollen and painful since November 2007, especially the thumb joints.
Since sometime in March I began symptoms of Carpal Tunnel syndrome. Numbness and weakness in fingers and wrists.
I hate this drug........Maddy Severe joint pain May 12th, 2008 Rating: Not Rated I was d'xed last August at age 61, Invasive Lobular with a single mets to spine. (Eliminated with raditation). I started on Armimedex, (minor intestinal side effects) switched to Femara after 3 months, which I took for another 3 or 4 month with no problem at all- NO side effects. But when the cancer progressed to 5 new spinal lesions, doc. switched me to Faslodex. After about a month I began having episodes (about once a week or 10 days) of VERY severe, crushing, throbbing body-wide pain. It was like having a body wide migraine. It would pass after a day or so.
I took my last Faslodex shot on April 1st, and doc switched me to Aromesin which I started 2 weeks ago. Thursday afternoon I began with another one of those pain episodes, which I can only get some slight relief from by taking 4 Ibuprofen. It is Sunday morning and I am still in severe pain. It's 4 days now and this episode is not going away like the other ones did.
I've been on all 4 of the Aromatase inhibitors now. I cannot live with this amount of pain (oh yeah- VERY profound fatigue/weakness goes along with it)as I have absolutely NO quality of life.
Question- does anyone ever take a break from these meds? For how long? And does it alleviate the synptoms for a few months? The first 6 months I was on these meds I didn't have any trouble at all. After that, all hell broke loose. I know the half life of Faslodex is 40 days- it's now been just about that (actually, 41 days) since my last shot. I'm wondering if taking the Aromesin is compounding the side effects, with some Faslodex still in my system? Doc. is out of town until I see him on May 23rd, so not sure what to do in the meantime.
Happy Mothers' Day to you all; hope everyone feels good!
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