Exemestane

Indications for use

Treatment of advanced breast cancer in women in natural or induced postmenopause, in whom disease progression has been detected against the background of anti-estrogen therapy.

Hormonal therapy for advanced breast cancer in women in natural or induced postmenopause, in whom disease progression has been detected on the background of therapy with either nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors or progestins.

How to use: Dosage and course of treatment

When administered orally, the recommended dose for adults and elderly patients is 25 mg once daily, preferably after a meal. Treatment should be continued until the appearance of signs of tumor progression, after which it is recommended to adjust the medical tactics.

Pharmacological action

Antitumor agent, aromatase inhibitor, similar in structure to the natural steroid hormone androstenedione.

In postmenopausal women, estrogens are produced mainly by converting androgens into estrogens under the action of aromatase enzyme in peripheral tissues. The mechanism of action of exemestane is due to irreversible binding to the active aromatase fragment, which leads to inactivation of the enzyme.

Special indications

When performing work related to the need for concentration and high speed of psychomotor reactions, patients should be aware that drowsiness and dizziness may occur when using Exemetan.

It should not be used in women with premenopausal endocrine status, since evaluation of efficacy and safety of the drug in this category of patients has not been performed. In those cases where the need for use is clinically justified, the postmenopausal status should be confirmed by determining the levels of LH, FSH, and estradiol.

Side effects

• CNS: frequently - fatigue, dizziness, sometimes - headache, insomnia, depression, asthenia.
• The digestive system: frequently - nausea, sometimes - abdominal pain, anorexia, constipation, dyspepsia, rarely - increased liver function tests in the serum, increased alkaline phosphate level.
• Endocrine system: often - hot flashes (hot flashes).
• Dermatological reactions: possible - skin rash, alopecia.
• Blood system: often - decreased lymphocytes; rarely - thrombocytopenia, leukopenia.
• Metabolism: possible - peripheral edema (edema of feet, shins).
• Other: often - increased sweating.

Contraindications

Pregnancy, lactation (breast-feeding), hypersensitivity to exemestane.

It is not recommended to use in children.