Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I using AROMASIN?
AROMASIN contains the active ingredient exemestane. AROMASIN is used to treat breast
cancer in women who no longer have their menstrual periods, either naturally due to
their age (after menopause) or because they have had their ovaries surgically removed.
AROMASIN is also used to reduce the risk of recurrence or spreading of the breast
cancer. It is also used when the cancer has not responded or has returned after treatment
with another medicine or medicines.
For more information, see Section
1. Why am I using AROMASIN? in the full CMI.
2. What should I know before I use AROMASIN?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to exemestane or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
For more information, see Section
2. What should I know before I use AROMASIN? in the full CMI.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use AROMASIN?
The recommended dose is one 25 mg tablet taken once daily after meals, however, follow
all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully as they may differ
from the information contained in this leaflet.
Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how long to take AROMASIN.
5. What should I know while using AROMASIN?
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Things you should do
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Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using AROMASIN.
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Things you should not do
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Do not give AROMASIN to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not take AROMASIN to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not stop taking AROMASIN or change the dosage without checking with your doctor.
Do not take AROMASIN after the expiry date printed on the pack.
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Driving or using machines
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AROMASIN may cause tiredness in some people.
If AROMASIN makes you feel dizzy, be careful when getting up from a sitting or lying
position.
If you experience these effects whilst taking AROMASIN, you should not attempt to
drive or operate machinery.
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Looking after your medicine
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Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight, where the temperature
stays below 30°C.
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6. Are there any side effects?
More common side effects may include headache, nausea, constipation or diarrhoea,
tiredness or difficulty sleeping. More serious side effects include swelling in legs
or feet, abnormal bleeding, skin changes or infections.
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section
6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
Active ingredient(s):
Exemestane
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using AROMASIN. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using AROMASIN.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using AROMASIN?
AROMASIN contains the active ingredient
exemestane
. AROMASIN is an aromatase inactivator. It works by significantly reducing the supply
of estrogen (a natural female sex hormone) to cancer cells.
This stops the growth of those cancer cells which normally need estrogen to grow.
AROMASIN is used to treat breast cancer in women who no longer have their menstrual periods, either naturally
due to their age (after menopause) or because they have had their ovaries surgically
removed.
AROMASIN is also used to reduce the risk of recurrence or spreading of the breast
cancer. It is also used when the cancer has not responded or has returned after treatment
with another medicine or medicines.
2. What should I know before I use AROMASIN?
Warnings
Do not use AROMASIN if:
You are allergic to exemestane, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this
leaflet.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty
breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching
or hives on the skin
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine
You are pregnant or intend to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding – see ‘Pregnancy
and Breastfeeding’ in next column
AROMASIN is not recommended for use in children.
Check with your doctor if you:
have any other medical conditions
take any medicines for any other condition
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
AROMASIN may affect your developing baby if you take it during pregnancy.
There is a possibility that your baby may be affected.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any medicines or health food products
containing estrogens.
Some health food products for menopausal symptoms contain natural estrogens.
Tell your doctor before you start taking AROMASIN if you:
Are still having your monthly period
Have or have had kidney problems
Have or have had liver problems
Have osteoporosis (disease which causes bones to be more brittle and likely to break)
Have a vitamin D deficiency
Some medicines should not be used with AROMASIN. These include:
Medicines which contain estrogen, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Oral contraceptives.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect AROMASIN.
4. How do I use AROMASIN?
How much to take
The recommended dose is one 25 mg tablet taken once daily
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet. If you do not understand
the instructions on the box, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
When to take AROMASIN
Take the tablet once daily after a meal at approximately the same time each day.
Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how long to take AROMASIN.
If you forget to use AROMASIN
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next
dose when you are meant to.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some
hints.
If you use too much AROMASIN
If you think that you have used too much AROMASIN, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling
13 11 26 in Australia, or 0800 POISON or 0800 764 766 in New Zealand),
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know while using AROMASIN?
Things you should do
Use AROMASIN exactly as your doctor has prescribed.
Be sure to keep all your doctor's appointments so your progress can be checked. If
you feel that your medicine is not helping your condition, talk to your doctor.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
Notice any unusual, severe or worrying symptoms.
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using AROMASIN.
Things you should not do
Do not give AROMASIN to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not take AROMASIN to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not stop taking AROMASIN or change the dosage without checking with your doctor,
even if you feel better.
Do not take AROMASIN after the expiry date printed on the pack.
Do not take AROMASIN if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. If your
AROMASIN has expired or is damaged return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how AROMASIN
affects you.
AROMASIN may cause tiredness in some people.
If AROMASIN makes you feel dizzy, be careful when getting up from a sitting or lying
position.
If you experience these effects whilst taking AROMASIN, you should not attempt to
drive or operate machinery.
Looking after your medicine
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Keep your tablets in their blister pack until it is time to take them. If you take
the tablets out of the blister pack they may not keep well.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight, where the temperature
stays below 30°C; for example, do not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
When to discard your medicine
If your doctor tells you to stop taking AROMASIN or the tablets have passed their
expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets that are left over.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Serious side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What AROMASIN contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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Exemestane
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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Silicon dioxide
Crospovidone
Hypromellose
Iron oxide black
Magnesium carbonate hydrate
Magnesium stearate
Mannitol
Microcrystalline cellulose
Methyl hydroxybenzoate
Macrogol 6000
Polysorbate 80
polyvinyl alcohol
shellac
simethicone emulsion
sodium starch glycollate
sucrose
titanium dioxide
cetyl esters wax
purified talc
carnauba wax
black printing ink
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Potential allergens
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Contains hydroxybenzoates
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What AROMASIN looks like
AROMASIN is available as 25 mg tablets (Aust R 76369). The tablets are round and
off-white to slightly greyish in colour marked with '7663' on one side in black ink.
AROMASIN 25 mg tablets are available in blister packs of 30 tablets.
Who distributes AROMASIN
Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
Sydney NSW
This leaflet was prepared in March 2024.
© Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
®= Registered trademark