Aromasin
(exemestane)
Treats breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
Our bottom line
Aromasin (exemestane) treats advanced breast cancer in post-menopausal women and helps lower their chances of the cancer coming back or spreading to the other breast. However, the overall survival rates for women who take Aromasin (exemestane) is the same as another treatment option, specifically Novaldex.
- Price before coupon$420.67
- Lowest price with coupon$103.9575% savings
- Drug class: Cancer
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (exemestane)
Upsides
- Unlike other chemotherapies, Aromasin (exemestane) comes as a pill.
- Can be used safely and effectively by those with kidney or liver problems.
- It is available as a generic pill.
- Financial assistance is available if you have trouble affording this medication.
- Aromasin (exemestane) works a little differently from other hormone therapies. If you are having difficulty with other hormone therapies, your doctor may suggest Aromasin (exemestane).
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What to expect from Aromasin, on one page
Downsides
- Aromasin (exemestane) can cause serious allergic reactions.
- Some people may not be able to tolerate the bone pain and body aches from Aromasin (exemestane).
- Aromasin (exemestane) reduces the amount of estrogen in your body which can lead to weaker bones and other symptoms typically only seen in postmenopausal women.
- Although Aromasin (exemestane) is available as a generic, it can be more expensive than similar hormone therapies.
- Aromasin (exemestane) is only approved for use after tamoxifen therapy.
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What to expect from Aromasin, on one page
Aromasin (exemestane) is an irreversible aromatase inhibitor, which reduces your body's normal production of estrogen.
- Drug class: Cancer
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (exemestane)
Used for
- Hormone receptor positive breast cancer
- Reduction of risk for breast cancer
Dosage forms
- Pill
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.- Pay as low as$80.21Retail priceRetail priceLearn more
- Get free discount$103.95
- AlbertsonsGet free coupon$106.40
- Get free coupon$106.40
What to expect when you take Aromasin (exemestane) for Breast cancer
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonthsLong term
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonthsLong term
- Possible side effects
- Joint pain
- Hot flashes
- Increased sweating
- Hair loss
- High blood pressure
- Difficulty sleeping
It can take time for a drug to start working, or for some side effects to go away.
Source: FDA product label and Iodine pharmacistsSide effect rates for Aromasin (exemestane)
- Hot flashes21%21%
- Fatigue16%16%
- Joint pain15%15%
- Headache13%13%
- Difficulty sleeping12%12%
- Increased sweating12%12%
- Dizziness10%10%
- High blood pressure10%10%
- Nausea9%9%
- Pain in limbs9%9%
- Back pain9%9%
- Joint pain6%6%
- Depression6%6%
- Vision changes5%5%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Aromasin.
People taking Aromasin felt side effect more
People taking Aromasin felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Aromasin (exemestane)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.Over time, Aromasin (exemestane) can lower the quality of your bones. If you have brittle bones and need to be on Aromasin (exemestane), your doctor may prescribe another medication to improve the quality of your bones. Talk to your doctor about calcium and vitamin D supplementation for preventing bone loss.
Common concerns from people taking Aromasin (exemestane)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?- Can be used safely and effectively by those with kidney or liver problems.