Note: This document contains side effect information about exemestane. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Aromasin.

Applies to exemestane: oral tablets.

Side effects include:

Adverse events reported in ≥10% of patients with early-stage breast cancer receiving exemestane (the active ingredient contained in Aromasin) include hot flushes (flashes), fatigue, arthralgia, headache, insomnia, and increased sweating.

Adverse events reported in ≥5% of patients with advanced breast cancer receiving exemestane include fatigue, nausea, and hot flushes. Most adverse events were mild to moderate in severity.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to exemestane: oral tablet.

Musculoskeletal

Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia (28.8%)

Common (1% to 10%): Pain in limb, back pain, osteoarthritis, myalgia, pathological fracture, hypoesthesia, skeletal pain, osteoporosis, muscle cramp

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Osteoporotic fracture^[Ref]

General

The most commonly reported side effects were hot flushes, arthralgia, and fatigue.^[Ref]

Immunologic

Common (1% to 10%): Infection^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very Common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 18%), abdominal pain (up to 11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, dyspepsia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Gastric ulcers^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Very common (10% or more): Increased sweating (17.8%), alopecia (15.1%)

Common (1% to 10%): Dermatitis

Postmarketing reports: Urticaria, pruritus, acute generalized exanthemos pustulosis^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Very common (10% or more): Hot flushes (up to 32.9%), Hypertension (15.1%)

Common (1% to 10%): Lymphedema, chest pain

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Thromboembolism, myocardial infarction^[Ref]

Hepatic

Very common (10% or more): Elevation of liver function tests (including enzymes, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase)

Postmarketing reports: Hepatitis including cholestatic hepatitis^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (13.7%)

Common (1% to 10%): Depression, anxiety, confusion^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Headache (13.6%), dizziness (10%)

Common (1% to 10%): Paresthesia, carpal tunnel syndrome

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Somnolence, neuropathy^[Ref]

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): Dyspnea

Common (1% to 10%): Coughing, bronchitis, sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infection, pharyngitis, rhinitis^[Ref]

Ocular

Common (1% to 101%): Visual disturbances^[Ref]

Oncologic

Common (1% to 10%): Other primary cancer^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity^[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (up to 22.2%), pain (13%)

Common (1% to 10%): Edema, influenza-like symptoms, fever, generalized weakness, pain at tumor sites, asthenia, peripheral edema^[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Increased appetite, anorexia, hypercholesterolemia^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Very common (10% or more): Gynecological (10.5%)

Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection, vaginal hemorrhage

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Uterine polyp, uterine polydectomy

Rare (less than 0.1%): Endometrial hyperplasia^[Ref]

Hematologic

Very common (10% or more): Decrease in lymphocytes (20%)

Uncommon (0.1%to 1%): Thrombocytopenia, leucopenia^[Ref]