Exemestane oral tablet side effects: A detailed guide

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved exemestane oral tablet to treat breast cancer in females* who have gone through menopause and have:

• early breast cancer and have received tamoxifen for 2–3 years
• advanced breast cancer that has progressed during or after taking tamoxifen

This article describes possible side effects of exemestane oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for exemestane.

Exemestane oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Aromasin. To learn more about exemestane oral tablet, including the drug’s uses, dosage, ways to save on cost, and more, talk with your doctor.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.

More common side effects of exemestane

Below are some of the more common side effects of exemestane oral tablet that occurred during the drug’s studies. The more common side effects varied based on the condition being treated.

Commonly reported side effects of exemestane oral tablet for early breast cancer include:

• hot flashes*
• fatigue (low energy)
• headache
• joint pain
• insomnia (difficulty sleeping)

Commonly reported side effects of exemestane oral tablet for advanced breast cancer include:

• hot flashes*
• nausea
• fatigue (low energy)
• increased sweating
• increased appetite

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of exemestane in detail” section below.

Mild side effects of exemestane

Exemestane may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of exemestane oral tablet that occurred in studies for early breast cancer include:

• hot flashes*
• fatigue (low energy)
• headache
• joint pain
• insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
• increased sweating
• nausea
• back pain
• osteoarthritis (weakened bones)
• dizziness
• arm or leg pain
• visual disturbances
• hair loss
• abdominal pain
• diarrhea
• muscle pain
• swelling
• mild allergic reaction*†

Mild side effects of exemestane oral tablet that occurred in studies for advanced breast cancer include:

• hot flashes*
• nausea
• fatigue (low energy)
• increased sweating
• increased appetite
• pain
• flu-like symptoms
• sweating
• insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
• anxiety
• dizziness
• headache
• vomiting
• constipation
• diarrhea
• coughing
• shortness of breath
• mild allergic reaction*†

Exemestane oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of exemestane in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with exemestane oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.

Serious side effects of exemestane

Exemestane may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from exemestane oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911, or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with exemestane oral tablet.

Serious side effects of exemestane oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• loss of bone mineral density*
• heart events, such as chest pain, heart failure, and heart attack*
• depression
• high blood pressure
• severe allergic reaction*†

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of exemestane in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with exemestane oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.

Common questions about side effects of exemestane

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of exemestane oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How do side effects of exemestane compare with those of letrozole?

Both exemestane and letrozole treat breast cancer.

These drugs have very similar side effects, including:

• hot flashes*
• fatigue (low energy)
• nausea
• joint pain
• loss of bone mineral density*

Talk with your doctor for more information about letrozole.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of exemestane in detail” section below.

Will side effects of exemestane go away when I stop taking the drug?

Yes, most side effects should go away when you stop taking the drug. That said, do not stop taking exemestane without talking with your doctor first. There may be other ways to manage your side effects without stopping treatment.

Does exemestane cause long-term side effects?

Yes, in some cases, exemestane oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time.

Loss of bone mineral density* is an example of a long-term side effect of exemestane.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about long-term side effects and how to best manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long side effects of exemestane may last.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of exemestane in detail” section below.

Coupon for exemestane

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for exemestane when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Side effects of exemestane in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of exemestane oral tablet.

Hot flashes

In studies, hot flashes was the most common side effect in people taking exemestane oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild.

Hot flashes may cause red or deepening of skin color on your chest, face, arms, or back. It can also include a feeling of being hot all over your body or just your upper body.

Hot flashes usually happen suddenly and go away in a short period of time. If they happen at night, they can cause night sweats.

Ways to manage

If you have hot flashes that become bothersome, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend things you can do at home to manage the symptom. These may include:

• using a fan
• wearing light clothes
• avoiding alcohol
• avoiding spicy foods

If hot flashes become severe, your doctor may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms.

Loss of bone mineral density

In studies, loss of bone mineral density occurred over time in people taking exemestane oral tablet. This side effect may be serious as it can lead to falls and injuries. If you have osteoporosis (weakened bones) or are at risk of osteoporosis, your doctor will monitor your bone mineral density.

Symptoms of loss of bone mineral density may include:

• back pain
• stooped posture
• broken bones

Ways to manage

If you have concerns about your bone mineral density, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend monitoring your bone mineral density and may recommend treatment if needed.

Heart events

In studies, heart events such as chest pain, heart failure, and heart attack were rare in people taking exemestane oral tablet for early breast cancer. This side effect may be serious.

Symptoms of heart events may include:

• chest pain or pressure
• swelling in the legs
• sudden arm, back, or neck pain
• shortness of breath

Ways to manage

If you have symptoms of heart events, tell your doctor. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to your local emergency room.

Allergic reaction

For some people, exemestane oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.

Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to exemestane oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for exemestane

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking exemestane oral tablet.

Warnings

It may not be safe for you to take exemestane oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether exemestane oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking exemestane oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• osteoporosis (weakened bones)
• low vitamin D levels, which is common with early breast cancer (a condition the drug treats)
• past allergic reaction to exemestane or any of its ingredients
• other medications, such as those containing estrogen

Exemestane and pregnancy

Exemestane oral tablet should not be taken during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with exemestane. Keep in mind, exemestane is approved to treat breast cancer in females* who have gone through menopause.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.

Exemestane and breastfeeding

Exemestane oral tablet should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with exemestane.

Exemestane and alcohol

Exemestane oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with exemestane oral tablet.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of exemestane oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Are there other treatment options for me if exemestane side effects are too bothersome?
• Do I have an increased risk of side effects from exemestane?
• Can I take other medications with exemestane?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.