Exemestane

Hormones are chemicals that our bodies make. Hormones act as messengers and help control how cells and organs work. Hormonal therapies are drugs that change the way hormones are made or how they work in the body.

Many breast cancers rely on the hormone oestrogen to grow. This called oestrogen receptor-positive (ER positive) breast cancer.

Exemestane reduces the amount of oestrogen in the body. It blocks an enzyme (a type of protein) that helps produce oestrogen in the fatty tissues of the body.

 Exemestane comes as tablets you can take at home. You take it once a day after food. Try to take it at the same time each day. Swallow it whole with a glass of water. Do not chew or crush the tablets. You may have exemestane on its own, or with other drugs. 

If you forget to take your tablet, take it as soon as you remember. If it is nearly time for the next dose, just take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose.

Exemestane is a long-term treatment. You usually take it for several years. Your nurse or doctor will talk to you about your treatment plan. Always take the tablets exactly as explained. This is important to make sure they work as well as possible for you. 

Other things to remember about your tablets:

• Keep them in the original package and at room temperature, away from heat and direct sunlight.
• Keep them safe and out of sight and reach of children.
• If you are sick just after taking the tablets, contact your healthcare team. Do not take another dose.
• Get a new prescription before you run out of tablets, and make sure you have plenty for holidays.
• If your treatment is stopped, return any unused tablets to the pharmacist. 

Your nurse or pharmacist may also give you other medicines to take home. Take all your medicines exactly as they have been explained to you. Do not stop taking any of your medicines unless your doctor tells you to. 

Hot flushes are a common side effect of this treatment. During a flush, your neck and face may feel warm and look red. Flushes may last from a few seconds up to 10 minutes. You may have sweats and then feel cold and clammy. Some people feel anxious or irritable during a hot flush.

There are things you can do to try to reduce flushes:

• Wear clothes made from natural fabrics, such as cotton.
• Wear layers of clothes that you can remove if you feel hot.
• Use cotton bed sheets and have layers of bedding that you can remove if you feel hot.
• Keep room temperatures cool or use a fan.
• Have cold drinks rather than hot ones. Try to avoid drinks with caffeine in them.

You may have fewer hot flushes and sweats as your body adjusts to hormonal treatment. Or your doctor can prescribe drugs to help. Flushes and sweats usually stop a few months after treatment finishes, but some people continue to have them.

You can read more about coping with hot flushes.

You may get pain in your muscles or joints. If this happens, tell your doctor so they can give you painkillers. Being physically active may help with the pain and keep your joints flexible. Keeping to a healthy weight may help too. Tell your doctor or nurse if the pain does not get better.

Any sickness is usually mild, but let your doctor or nurse know if this happens. Try taking your tablets with food or at night.

This treatment may cause headaches. If you have headaches, tell your doctor. They may give you painkillers to help.

Exemestane may cause dizziness. Let your doctor or nurse know if this is a problem.

This treatment may cause indigestion or tummy pain. Let your doctor know if you have any of these symptoms. They can prescribe drugs to help.

Feeling tired is a common side effect. Try to pace yourself and plan your day so you have time to rest. Gentle exercise, like short walks, can give you more energy. If you feel sleepy, do not drive or operate machinery.

You may have some mood changes during this treatment. You may feel low or depressed. Let your doctor or nurse know if you notice any changes.

You may not sleep well while you are taking this treatment. Ask your doctor or nurse for advice if this is a problem for you.

Treatment may affect how your liver works. This is usually mild. You will have blood tests to check how well your liver is working.

Rarely, exemestane can cause inflammation of the liver (hepatitis). Tell your doctor straight away if:

• the whites of your eyes or your skin look yellow
• you feel unwell and itchy
• you have pain on the right side of your tummy.

Cancer and some cancer treatments can increase the risk of a blood clot. Symptoms of a blood clot include:

• throbbing pain, redness or swelling in a leg or arm
• suddenly feeling breathless or coughing
• sharp chest pain, which may be worse when you cough or take a deep breath.

If you have any of these symptoms, contact the hospital straight away on the 24-hour contact number you have been given. If you cannot get through to your doctor, call the NHS urgent advice number on 111.

A blood clot is serious, but it can be treated with drugs that thin the blood (anticoagulants). Your doctor or nurse can give you more information.

You can help reduce the risk of developing a blood clot by:

• staying active during treatment
• drinking plenty of fluids, especially water.

You may be given anticoagulants to help prevent a clot.

Some cancer drugs can affect whether you can get pregnant or make someone pregnant. If you are worried about this, it is important to talk with your doctor before you start treatment.

Your doctor will advise you not to get pregnant or make someone pregnant while having this treatment. The drugs may harm a developing baby. It is important to use contraception during your treatment and for a while after treatment finishes. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can tell you more about this.

You are advised not to breastfeed while having this treatment, or for some time after treatment finishes. This is because the drugs could be passed to the baby through breast milk.

Your doctor or nurse can give you more information.

If you need medical treatment for any reason other than cancer, always tell the doctors and nurses you are having cancer treatment. Give them the contact details for your cancer doctor so they can ask for advice.

If you think you need dental treatment, talk to your cancer doctor or nurse. Always tell your dentist you are having cancer treatment.

Some medicines can affect how this treatment works or be harmful when you are having it. Always tell your cancer doctor about any drugs you are taking or planning to take, such as:

• medicines you have been prescribed
• medicines you buy in a shop or chemist
• vitamins, herbal drugs and complementary therapies.

Tell other doctors, pharmacists or dentists who prescribe or give you medicines that you are having this cancer treatment.

You can visit the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) for more detailed information about your treatment.