EXEMESTANE is an aromatase inhibitor indicated for:
adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal women with estrogen-receptor positive early breast cancer who have received two to three years of tamoxifen and are switched to EXEMESTANE for completion of a total of five consecutive years of adjuvant hormonal therapy ( 14.1 ).
treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women whose disease has progressed following tamoxifen therapy ( 14.2 ).
1.1Adjuvant Treatment of Postmenopausal Women
EXEMESTANE is indicated for adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal women with estrogen-receptor positive early breast cancer who have received two to three years of tamoxifen and are switched to EXEMESTANE for completion of a total of five consecutive years of adjuvant hormonal therapy [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ].
1.2Advanced Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women
EXEMESTANE is indicated for the treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women whose disease has progressed following tamoxifen therapy [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ].
Contraindications
EXEMESTANE is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to the drug or to any of the excipients. Patients with a known hypersensitivity to the drug or to any of the excipients ( 4 ).
Warnings and precautions
Reductions in bone mineral density (BMD) over time are seen with exemestane use ( 5.1 ).
Routine assessment of 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels prior to the start of aromatase inhibitor treatment should be performed ( 5.2 ).
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Can cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception ( 5.6 , 8.1 , 8.3 ).
5.1Reductions in Bone Mineral Density (BMD) Reductions
in bone mineral density (BMD) over time are seen with exemestane use. Table 1 describes changes in BMD from baseline to 24 months in patients receiving exemestane compared to patients receiving tamoxifen (IES) or placebo (027). Concomitant use of bisphosphonates, vitamin D supplementation, and calcium was not allowed. Table 1. Percent Change in BMD from Baseline to 24 months, Exemestane vs. Control 1 IES 027 BMD Exemestane N=29 Tamoxifen 1 N=38 Exemestane N=59 Placebo 1 N=65 Lumbar spine (%) -3.1 -0.2 -3.5 -2.4 Femoral neck (%) -4.2 -0.3 -4.6 -2.6 During adjuvant treatment with exemestane, women with osteoporosis or at risk of osteoporosis should have their bone mineral density formally assessed by bone densitometry at the commencement of treatment.
Monitor patients for bone mineral density loss and treat as appropriate.
5.2Vitamin D Assessment
Routine assessment of 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels prior to the start of aromatase inhibitor treatment should be performed, due to the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in women with early breast cancer (EBC). Women with vitamin D deficiency should receive supplementation with vitamin D.
5.3Administration with Estrogen-Containing Agents
EXEMESTANE should not be coadministered with systemic estrogen-containing agents as these could interfere with its pharmacologic action.
5.4Laboratory Abnormalities
In patients with early breast cancer, the incidence of hematological abnormalities of Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) grade ≥1 was lower in the exemestane treatment group, compared with tamoxifen. Incidence of CTC grade 3 or 4 abnormalities was low (approximately 0.1%) in both treatment groups. Approximately 20% of patients receiving exemestane in clinical studies in advanced breast cancer experienced CTC grade 3 or 4 lymphocytopenia.
Of these patients, 89% had a pre-existing lower grade lymphopenia. Forty percent of patients either recovered or improved to a lesser severity while on treatment. Patients did not have a significant increase in viral infections, and no opportunistic infections were observed. Elevations of serum levels of AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma glutamyl transferase >5 times the upper value of the normal range (i.e., ≥ CTC grade 3) have been rarely reported in patients treated for advanced breast cancer but appear mostly attributable to the underlying presence of liver and/or bone metastases.
In the comparative study in advanced breast cancer patients, CTC grade 3 or 4 elevation of gamma glutamyl transferase without documented evidence of liver metastasis was reported in 2.7% of patients treated with EXEMESTANE and in 1.8% of patients treated with megestrol acetate. In patients with early breast cancer, elevations in bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and creatinine were more common in those receiving exemestane than either tamoxifen or placebo.
Treatment-emergent bilirubin elevations (any CTC grade) occurred in 5% of exemestane patients and 0.8% of tamoxifen patients on the Intergroup Exemestane Study (IES), and in 7% of exemestane treated patients vs. 0% of placebo treated patients in the 027 study. CTC grade 3–4 increases in bilirubin occurred in 0.9% of exemestane treated patients compared to 0.1% of tamoxifen treated patients. Alkaline phosphatase elevations of any CTC grade occurred in 15% of exemestane treated patients on the IES compared to 2.6% of tamoxifen treated patients, and in 14% of exemestane treated patients compared to 7% of placebo treated patients in study 027.
Creatinine elevations occurred in 6% of exemestane treated patients and 4.3% of tamoxifen treated patients on the IES and in 6% of exemestane treated patients and 0% of placebo treated patients in study 027.
5.5Use in Premenopausal Women
EXEMESTANE is not indicated for the treatment of breast cancer in premenopausal women.
5.6Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based
on findings from animal studies and its mechanism of action, EXEMESTANE can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In animal reproduction studies, administration of exemestane to pregnant rats and rabbits caused increased incidence of abortions and embryo-fetal toxicity. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with EXEMESTANE and for 1 month after the last dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) , (8.3) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) ] .
Interactions
Strong CYP 3A4 inducers: Concomitant use of strong CYP 3A4 inducers decreases exemestane exposure. Increase the EXEMESTANE dose to 50 mg ( 2.2 , 7 ). Drugs That Induce CYP 3A4 Co-medications that induce CYP 3A4 (e.g., rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, or St. John's wort) may significantly decrease exposure to EXEMESTANE. Dose modification is recommended for patients who are also receiving a strong CYP 3A4 inducer [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
8.1Pregnancy Risk Summary Based
on findings in animal studies and its mechanism of action , EXEMESTANE can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) ] . Limited human data from case reports are insufficient to inform a drug-associated risk. In animal reproduction studies, administration of exemestane to pregnant rats and rabbits caused increased incidence of abortions, embryo-fetal toxicity, and prolonged gestation with abnormal or difficult labor [see Data ] .
Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the US general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2–4% and 15–20%, respectively. Data Animal Data In animal reproduction studies in rats and rabbits, exemestane caused embryo-fetal toxicity, and was abortifacient.
Radioactivity related to 14 C-exemestane crossed the placenta of rats following oral administration of 1 mg/kg exemestane. The concentration of exemestane and its metabolites was approximately equivalent in maternal and fetal blood. When rats were administered exemestane from 14 days prior to mating until either days 15 or 20 of gestation, and resuming for the 21 days of lactation, an increase in placental weight was seen at 4 mg/kg/day (approximately 1.5 times the recommended human daily dose on a mg/m2 basis).
Increased resorptions, reduced number of live fetuses, decreased fetal weight, retarded ossification, prolonged gestation and abnormal or difficult labor was observed at doses equal to or greater than 20 mg/kg/day (approximately 7.5 times the recommended human daily dose on a mg/m 2 basis). Daily doses of exemestane, given to rabbits during organogenesis, caused a decrease in placental weight at 90 mg/kg/day (approximately 70 times the recommended human daily dose on a mg/m 2 basis) and in the presence of maternal toxicity, abortions, an increase in resorptions, and a reduction in fetal body weight were seen at 270 mg/kg/day.
No malformations were noted when exemestane was administered to pregnant rats or rabbits during the organogenesis period at doses up to 810 and 270 mg/kg/day, respectively (approximately 320 and 210 times the recommended human dose on a mg/m 2 basis, respectively).
Adverse reactions
The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling:
Reductions in Bone Mineral Density (BMD) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]
Early breast cancer: Adverse reactions occurring in ≥10% of patients in any treatment group (EXEMESTANE vs. tamoxifen) were hot flushes (21% vs. 20%), fatigue (16% vs. 15%), arthralgia (15% vs. 9%), headache (13% vs. 11%), insomnia (12% vs. 9%), and increased sweating (12% vs. 10%). Discontinuation rates due to AEs were similar between EXEMESTANE and tamoxifen (6% vs. 5%). Incidences of cardiac ischemic events (myocardial infarction, angina, and myocardial ischemia) were EXEMESTANE 1.6%, tamoxifen 0.6%. Incidence of cardiac failure: EXEMESTANE 0.4%, tamoxifen 0.3% ( 6 , 6.1 ).
Advanced breast cancer: Most common adverse reactions were mild to moderate and included hot flushes (13% vs. 5%), nausea (9% vs. 5%), fatigue (8% vs. 10%), increased sweating (4% vs. 8%), and increased appetite (3% vs. 6%) for EXEMESTANE and megestrol acetate, respectively ( 6 , 6.1 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Greenstone LLC at 1-877-446-3679 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .
6.1Clinical Trial Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. Adjuvant Therapy The data described below reflect exposure to EXEMESTANE in 2325 postmenopausal women with early breast cancer. EXEMESTANE tolerability in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer was evaluated in two well-controlled trials: the IES study [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] and the 027 study (a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel group study specifically designed to assess the effects of exemestane on bone metabolism, hormones, lipids, and coagulation factors over 2 years of treatment).
The median duration of adjuvant treatment was 27.4 months and 27.3 months for patients receiving EXEMESTANE or tamoxifen, respectively, within the IES study and 23.9 months for patients receiving EXEMESTANE or placebo within the 027 study. Median duration of observation after randomization for EXEMESTANE was 34.5 months and for tamoxifen was 34.6 months. Median duration of observation was 30 months for both groups in the 027 study.
Certain adverse reactions, which were expected based on the known pharmacological properties and side effect profiles of test drugs, were actively sought through a positive checklist. Signs and symptoms were graded for severity using CTC in both studies. Within the IES study, the presence of some illnesses/conditions was monitored through a positive checklist without assessment of severity. These included myocardial infarction, other cardiovascular disorders, gynecological disorders, osteoporosis, osteoporotic fractures, other primary cancer, and hospitalizations.
Within the IES study, discontinuations due to adverse reactions occurred in 6% and 5% of patients receiving EXEMESTANE and tamoxifen, respectively, and in 12% and 4.1% of patients receiving EXEMESTANE or placebo respectively within study 027. Deaths due to any cause were reported for 1.3% of the exemestane treated patients and 1.4% of the tamoxifen treated patients within the IES study. There were 6 deaths due to stroke on the exemestane arm compared to 2 on tamoxifen.
There were 5 deaths due to cardiac failure on the exemestane arm compared to 2 on tamoxifen. The incidence of cardiac ischemic events (myocardial infarction, angina, and myocardial ischemia) was 1.6% in exemestane treated patients and 0.6% in tamoxifen treated patients in the IES study. Cardiac failure was observed in 0.4% of exemestane treated patients and 0.3% of tamoxifen treated patients. In the adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer, the most common adverse reactions occurring in ≥10% of patients in any treatment group (EXEMESTANE vs. tamoxifen) were hot flushes (21% vs. 20%), fatigue (16% vs. 15%), arthralgia (15% vs. 9%), headache (13% vs. 11%), insomnia (12% vs. 9%), and increased sweating (12% vs. 10%).
Discontinuation rates due to AEs were similar between EXEMESTANE and tamoxifen (6% vs. 5%). Incidences of cardiac ischemic events (myocardial infarction, angina, and myocardial ischemia) were EXEMESTANE 1.6%, tamoxifen 0.6%. Incidence of cardiac failure: EXEMESTANE 0.4%, tamoxifen 0.3%. Treatment-emergent adverse reactions and illnesses including all causalities and occurring with an incidence of ≥5% in either treatment group of the IES study during or within one month of the end of treatment are shown in Table 2.
Table 2. Incidence (%) of Adverse Reactions of all Grades Graded according to Common Toxicity Criteria; and Illnesses Occurring in (≥5%) of Patients in Any Treatment Group in Study IES in Postmenopausal Women with Early Breast Cancer % of patients Body system and Adverse Reaction by MedDRA dictionary EXEMESTANE 25 mg daily (N=2252) Tamoxifen 20 mg daily 75 patients received tamoxifen 30 mg daily; (N=2280) Eye Visual disturbances Event actively sought. 5
3.8 Gastrointestinal Nausea 9 9 General Disorders Fatigue 16 15 Musculoskeletal Arthralgia 15 9 Pain in limb 9 6 Back pain 9 7 Osteoarthritis 6
4.5 Nervous System Headache 13 11 Dizziness 10 8 Psychiatric Insomnia 12 9 Depression 6 6 Skin & Subcutaneous Tissue Increased sweating 12 10 Vascular Hot flushes 21 20 Hypertension 10 8 In the IES study, as compared to tamoxifen, EXEMESTANE was associated with a higher incidence of events in musculoskeletal disorders and in nervous system disorders, including the following events occurring with frequency lower than 5% (osteoporosis [4.6% vs. 2.8%], osteochondrosis [0.3% vs. 0%] and stenosing tenosynovitis (trigger finger) [0.3% vs. 0%], paresthesia [2.6% vs. 0.9%], carpal tunnel syndrome [2.4% vs. 0.2%], and neuropathy [0.6% vs. 0.1%]).
Diarrhea was also more frequent in the exemestane group (4.2% vs. 2.2%). Clinical fractures were reported in 94 patients receiving exemestane (4.2%) and 71 patients receiving tamoxifen (3.1%). After a median duration of therapy of about 30 months and a median follow-up of about 52 months, gastric ulcer was observed at a slightly higher frequency in the EXEMESTANE group compared to tamoxifen (0.7% vs. <0.1%). The majority of patients on EXEMESTANE with gastric ulcer received concomitant treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and/or had a prior history.
Tamoxifen was associated with a higher incidence of muscle cramps [3.1% vs. 1.5%], thromboembolism [2.0% vs. 0.9%], endometrial hyperplasia [1.7% vs. 0.6%], and uterine polyps [2.4% vs. 0.4%]. Common adverse reactions occurring in study 027 are described in Table 3. Table 3. Incidence of Selected Treatment-Emergent Adverse Reactions of all CTC Grades Most events were CTC grade 1–2. Occurring in ≥5% of Patients in Either Arm in Study 027 Adverse Reaction Exemestane N=73 (% incidence) Placebo N=73 (% incidence) Hot flushes 33 25 Arthralgia 29 29 Increased sweating 18 21 Alopecia 15
A total of 1058 patients were treated with exemestane 25 mg once daily in the clinical trials program. One death was considered possibly related to treatment with exemestane; an 80-year-old woman with known coronary artery disease had a myocardial infarction with multiple organ failure after 9 weeks on study treatment. In the clinical trials program, 3% of the patients discontinued treatment with exemestane because of adverse reactions, 2.7% of patients discontinued exemestane within the first 10 weeks of treatment.
In the comparative study, adverse reactions were assessed for 358 patients treated wi
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Composition
Active ingredients
EXEMESTANE 25MG
Official product information
Drugs@FDA lists the approved labels, letters and reviews for application NDA020753.
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