Aromasin (exemestane) is a prescription brand-name medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat certain types of breast cancer in females* who have gone through menopause.
Specifically, Aromasin is used as a:
- treatment for advanced breast cancer that didn’t respond or stopped responding to tamoxifen
- adjuvant (add-on) treatment for early breast cancer in certain cases
Aromasin contains the active drug exemestane, which is also available as a generic drug. It’s classified as an aromatase inhibitor, a type of endocrine therapy (also called hormone therapy).
Aromasin comes as an oral tablet.
For information about Aromasin dosing, including its strengths and how to take it, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Aromasin, including details about its uses, see this article.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.
This article describes typical dosages for Aromasin provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Aromasin, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor or healthcare professional.
Below is information about approved Aromasin dosages for treating certain forms of breast cancer.
Aromasin form
Aromasin comes as an oral tablet.
Aromasin strength
Aromasin tablets are available in one strength: 25 milligrams (mg).
Typical dosage
The following information describes the dosage that is commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Aromasin dosage for all uses
The recommended dosage of Aromasin is the same for all its approved uses. (To learn more about the conditions Aromasin is approved to treat, see the “Overview” section above or this article).
The dosage is 25 mg once per day after a meal.
Long-term use
How long you’ll take Aromasin can differ depending on your breast cancer and your treatment plan. You’ll usually take the drug for as long as your doctor agrees that the medication is safe and effective for you.
If you take certain other medications, your doctor may increase your Aromasin dosage to 50 milligrams per day. Specifically, drugs that are CYP3A4 inducers can interact with Aromasin and make it less effective. Examples include rifampicin and phenytoin. (For more information on drug interactions with Aromasin, see this article.)
Remember to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medications you take. They can make sure other drugs are safe for use with Aromasin. If you have additional questions about your Aromasin dosage, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
You should take Aromasin according to the instructions your doctor gives you.
Aromasin comes as an oral tablet. You should take your dose once per day after a meal. The food helps your body absorb the drug.
You should not crush, split, or chew Aromasin tablets. They should be swallowed whole. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having trouble swallowing Aromasin tablets. You can also check out this article.
If you miss an Aromasin dose, try and take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, just skip the missed dose. Then take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take more than one dose of Aromasin per day. This could increase your risk of side effects.
To help make sure you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
The World Anti-Doping Agency has listed aromatase inhibitors, such as exemestane, as banned substances. (Exemestane is the active drug in Aromasin.) This is because exemestane and similar medications have been misused to help with muscle growth. (With misuse, a drug is taken in a different way than prescribed.) Aromasin has also been misused to prevent certain side effects of anabolic steroids, such as gynecomastia (unusual enlargement of the breasts).
Do not take Aromasin for any purpose other than treating the condition your doctor prescribes it for. And you should not share Aromasin with anyone.
It’s important that you do not take more Aromasin than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Aromasin
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Aromasin. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use their online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Aromasin for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Aromasin without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Aromasin that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Aromasin. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Aromasin. For information about other aspects of Aromasin, refer to this article.
- Details on breast cancer. For details about breast cancer, see our breast cancer hub and this list of breast cancer articles.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.