Aromasin: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking
Aromasin® (
exemestane) if you have:
- Kidney disease, including kidney failure (renal failure)
- Liver disease, including liver failure or cirrhosis
- Not gone through menopause
- Osteoporosis
- Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
- Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
- Breastfeeding.
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Specific Aromasin Warnings and Precautions
Warnings and precautions to be aware of prior to taking Aromasin include the following:
- It is not known if Aromasin is safe and effective for breast cancer treatment in premenopausal women, although it is sometimes prescribed off-label for this use.
- The liver and kidneys help clear Aromasin from the body. Therefore, if you have liver or kidney disease, talk with your healthcare provider before taking Aromasin. Depending on the severity of your condition, your healthcare provider may recommend adjusting your Aromasin dosage or not taking Aromasin at all.
- Aromasin (as well as most medications that decrease the effects of estrogens) can lead to osteoporosis. If you already have osteoporosis (or are at risk for the condition), your healthcare provider may recommend certain lifestyle changes or medication to protect you from fractures (see Osteoporosis Prevention).
- Aromasin can interact with other medications (see Aromasin Drug Interactions).
- Aromasin is considered a pregnancy Category D medication. This means that it is likely to cause harm to a fetus during pregnancy. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of taking the drug during pregnancy (see Aromasin and Pregnancy).
- It is not known if Aromasin passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start breastfeeding, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug (see Aromasin and Breastfeeding).