You also shouldnt use the drug for conditions it hasnt been prescribed to treat. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. What are the serious side effects of Femara? Oestrogen stimulates some breast cancers to grow. Some people may experience mild or serious side effects during their Femara treatment. But some people may experience side effects while taking this drug. Sometimes it might be used to treat breast cancer in men. They may be able to suggest ways to help manage this side effect. If you have questions about using Femara, talk with your doctor. Call your doctor if you think youve taken too much Femara. Both Femara and Arimidex belong to a group of drugs called aromatase inhibitors. Spotting refers to slight vaginal bleeding when you arent having your period. Nausea. Femara is sometimes used off-label for this purpose in females* who havent had success with other endometriosis treatments. Infertility is often caused by problems with ovulation (when eggs are released from your ovaries). Both Femara and anastrozole (Arimidex) are used to treat certain types of breast cancer in females* who have gone through menopause. If youre pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, talk with your doctor. What Types of Breast Cancer Have the Highest Recurrence Rates? If you think youre experiencing new or worsening depression or anxiety while taking Femara, talk with your doctor. After menopause, your body produces less estrogen, which can weaken your bones. If youre taking Femara, your doctor may want to measure your bone mineral density. Femara is used to lower the risk of the cancer coming back. Its meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. What can I do to help relieve this side effect? The standard Femara dosage is the same for all types of breast cancer the drug is used to treat. See Femaras prescribing information for details. Letrozole is typically taken once a day for five days. However, its important to note that alcohol and Femara can have similar side effects. After five years, last September, my GP said that I should stop takingt the Letrozole, but could not answer any of my questions, e.g. https://www.drugs.com/pro/letrozole.html, Letrozole (Femara) Breast cancer now. If youre concerned about weight gain while taking Femara, talk with your doctor. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Femara to treat certain conditions. International guidelines recommend letrozole (the active drug in Femara) as an effective treatment for infertility. Doing this temporarily lowers your estrogen level. What should be considered before taking Femara? You should not become pregnant or breastfeed for at least 3 weeks after your last dose of Femara. Some that are rare (occurring in less than 10% of patients) are not listed here. You can take Femara at any time of day. Phytoestrogens are supplements made from plants. Theyre sometimes used by some women to help manage menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes. 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. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Femara. These and other important considerations are discussed in more detail below. One thing that may help is trying to stay as active as possible. The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid using expired medications. However, its possible that certain plant-based estrogens (called phytoestrogens) could make Femara less effective. Letrozole only works in women who have had their menopause. vaginal spotting. But after menopause, your estrogen levels fall, which can weaken your bones. This signals your pituitary gland to release hormones called follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). My doctor said Femara may cause hot flashes. (With dependence, your body needs the drug in order to function like usual.) Letrozole's terminal elimination half-life is about 2 days and steady-state plasma concentration after daily 2.5 mg dosing is reached in 2-6 weeks. Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. What are some frequently asked questions about Femara? People being treated for primary breast cancer will usually take letrozole for five to ten years. Femara contains the drug letrozole. The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication is effective during this time. Learn the signs and symptoms of metastasis, how you can make yourself as comfortable as possible, and tips for managing end-of-life symptoms. Stopping Femara isnt known to cause any withdrawal symptoms. Femara is used in the following ways to treat advanced breast cancer: Femara has been found to be effective in treating advanced breast cancer. Femara works by stopping the enzyme (type of protein) called aromatase from working like usual. improved overall survival. Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can happen when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on. Common side effects can be like menopause symptomsand include hot flushes, difficulty sleeping, tiredness and low mood. If you have questions about how Femara may affect your bone density, talk with your doctor. For details about how side effects for these drugs compare, see the Arimidex vs. letrozole section of this article. You may want to ask about other treatments for breast cancer. Different interactions can cause different effects. It works by killing cells in your body that multiply quickly. There's no way to completely predict or prevent breast cancer. Femara can interact with several types of drugs. Another 2019 review of studies found Femara and clomiphene to be similarly effective in treating unexplained infertility. Femara belongs to a group of drugs called aromatase inhibitors. Its also worth noting that alcohol is known to increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Femara. Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs they have approved. About 90% of radiolabeled letrozole is recovered in urine. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include: Call your doctor right away if you have a severe allergic reaction to Femara. Femara, which works by lowering your estrogen level, is prescribed for females* whove gone through menopause. If you have a certain type of breast cancer, your doctor might suggest Femara (letrozole) as a treatment option. If your doctor confirms that you had a mild allergic reaction to Femara, theyll decide if you should continue taking it. But Arimidex does cause some additional side effects that dont occur with Femara. Femara may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Use of the term male in this article refers to sex assigned at birth. Letrozole works by decreasing the amounts of these hormones in the body. Your doctor can recommend treatment options other than Femara. Am I at a higher risk for certain side effects from Femara? If you have questions about whether its safe for you to drive or operate machinery during your treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Femara may cause reduced bone mineral density (weakened bones) in some people. There are also some steps you can take to help strengthen your bones naturally. Bone fracture; breast pain; chest pain This use of the drug is called ovulation induction. You should not stop taking Letrozole without discussing with your physician. Lymph node surgery helps doctors determine, Knowing the early signs of breast cancer can help a person seek prompt treatment and improve their chance of survival. A medication timer may be useful, too. Here are some common questions about taking Femara tablets. Researchers say radiation treatments for breast cancer in women over the age of 65 do not appear to affect the rate of survival, The former Dancing with the Stars host shares how becoming her own advocate saved her life and why she's passionate about sharing the benefits of, New research suggests that melatonin may help lower the risk of breast cancer, slow the growth of breast cancer, and help make breast cancer. If letrozole stops working and your breast cancer comes back, your specialist may prescribe another hormone drug. However, if you think youre having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number. Available for Android and iOS devices. Talk with your doctor about how long you should take Femara for adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. However, the drug may be used off-label for this purpose. When you stop taking letrozole, most persistent side effects should improve within a week or 10 days, and as long as you have taken it for at least 5 years, then letrozole should continue to reduce the risk of breast cancer coming back for many years after you stop taking it. After youve gone through menopause, your ovaries no longer produce estrogen. Treatment will be taken over five consecutive days. You may take Letrozole with or without food. Letrozole (Femara ) is a hormonal therapy drug used to treat breast cancer. They both do the same job but Anastrozole is the more similar tablet so could well have similar side effects - You could ask about the Exemestane which I think are steroid based ? They can recommend healthy ways for you to manage your weight. No, Femara isnt a form of chemotherapy. Over the last week I have been feeling increasingly poorly, very lethargic and completely lacking in energy as I have just come back from a lovely week away there really shouldn't be any reason for how I am feeling and it just occurred to me that it could be related to stopping taking tamoxifen. Do I have a higher risk for side effects than other people taking Femara. But try to take it around the same time on each of the 5 days that youre taking the drug. Femara is a prescription drug used in adult females* whove gone through menopause. To find out how often these side effects occurred in clinical studies, see the drugs prescribing information. The most common cause of ovulation problems that result in infertility is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). But Femara is also sometimes used to treat infertility that doesnt have an obvious cause. Femara is also used off-label to treat infertility. But a generic version called clomiphene is available. You should also talk with them if youre breastfeeding or considering breastfeeding. This condition can become very painful and may lead to infertility in some people. Heres some detail on several of the side effects this drug cause. Prophylactic mastectomy is surgery to remove breast tissue. You may also be able to ease headaches by applying an ice pack or heating pad to your head. For information on how Femara performed in clinical studies, see the drugs prescribing information. Whether Femara or clomiphene is more effective for you may depend on the cause of your infertility. Does letrozole affect blood sugar levels? One example of an androgen is the hormone testosterone. Spotting may occur along with other side effects from Femara, such as belly pain or cramping. The mild side effects of Femara that are more common* can include: The mild side effects of Femara that are less common** can include: * Occurred in more than 20% of people in clinical studies ** Occurred in 20% or less of people in clinical studies. Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat breast cancer include: Femara is approved to treat certain types of breast cancer in females* whove already gone through menopause. Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. So researchers wanted to know if taking an aromatase inhibitor for 10 years would offer more benefits than taking one for 5 years. For breast cancer treatment, youll usually take Femara once each day. If youre not sure if youll need to get prior authorization for Femara, contact your insurance company. Before taking Femara, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. If you have questions about Femaras success rate in treating cancer, talk with your doctor. Be sure to always take Femara exactly as your doctor recommends. Ophthalmology 54 years experience Few: Femara ( letrozole) blocks the formation of estrogen. Breast Cancer Treatment: Why Some Older Patients May Not Need Radiation, TV Host Samantha Harris Says her Breast Cancer Was Misdiagnosed for Months. Like other drugs, Femara can cause mild or serious side effects. Femara and clomiphene work in slightly different ways in your body to induce ovulation. Femara is used off-label for this purpose. The highest dose of Femara for fertility treatment hasnt been determined. November 24, 2017. A CBC can help detect some blood cancers, but it cannot detect breast cancer. What happens when you stop taking letrozole? See the sections Femara for advanced breast cancer and Femara for adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer below for more information. Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include: If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. 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. Femara can cause mild or serious side effects. * Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Prophylactic mastectomy is surgery to remove breast tissue. If youre already ovulating before taking Femara, the drug may cause more eggs than usual to mature and be released from your ovaries. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Femara. One 2011 study looked at using doses higher than the current standard dose to treat infertility. Femara is used off-label to treat infertility in females. Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include: A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Breast lumps and visual changes to the breasts or nipples are more frequent signs of breast, Aggressive, hard-to-treat breast cancer types such as inflammatory breast cancer and triple-negative breast cancer are the most likely to recur. Many drugs are available to treat infertility. A study has found that taking Femara for 10 years instead of 5: reduces the risk of recurrence. They may suggest an over-the-counter oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), or a topical product, such as hydrocortisone cream, to manage your symptoms. But more research is needed to know whether higher doses of Femara are more effective than lower doses. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Femaras prescribing information. Hi Dancey, i came across your post because I just stopped taking letrozole. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The list below includes factors to consider. Be sure to follow your doctors instructions. If you think youve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. This is because drinking a lot of alcohol can increase your risk of osteoporosis, which is already increased by the drug. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Use of the term female in this article refers to sex assigned at birth. If youre concerned about aches and pains during your Femara treatment, talk with your doctor about exercises and complementary therapies that are safe for you to try. Be sure to always take the dosage of Femara thats prescribed by your doctor. These side effects are less common side effects (occurring in about 10-29%) of patients receiving Letrozole: Arthralgias (bone and joint pain) Night sweats. The following drugs should not be used while youre taking Femara: There arent any herbs or supplements that have been specifically reported to interact with Femara. To help make sure that you dont miss a dose, try setting a reminder on your phone. So, chemotherapy can affect both healthy cells and cancer cells. If you drink alcohol while taking Femara, you may be at a higher risk for these side effects, which can include: If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about the amount thats safe for you while taking Femara. 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. If you experience side effects that dont go way or interfere with your daily life, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. It works by stopping an enzyme (type of protein) called aromatase from working as usual. If you have fatigue or dizziness while youre taking Femara, dont drive or operate other machines. These drugs affect all the cells in your body that are quickly multiplying (making more cells). But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. Most doctors wont prescribe Femara for more than six cycles of treatment. Allergic reaction. You should talk with your doctor to discuss which hot flash treatments are best for you. What are the mild side effects of Femara? MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. There are also some things you can do to help minimize loss of bone strength while youre taking Femara. Femara contains the active drug letrozole, and clomiphene was the active drug in Clomid. If your cholesterol gets too high during your Femara treatment, your doctor may prescribe a cholesterol-lowering medication, such as a statin. But you wont be able to notice it working in your body. And this medication doesnt need to be stopped gradually. Femara is prescribed to treat certain types of breast cancer in adult females* who have gone through menopause. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Femara to treat certain conditions. Breast cancer occurs when breast cells grow rapidly and out of control. Because of this, you shouldnt breastfeed while youre taking Femara. was on it for 10 years!!! Femara can stay in your system for several weeks after your last dose. Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. More specifically, Femara is a type of hormone therapy called an aromatase inhibitor. These effects are called interactions. Weight gain. Swelling from Femara usually occurs in your arms, feet, hands, or legs. You can also call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use their online tool. With early breast cancer, the cancer hasnt spread out of either your breast or the lymph nodes in your armpit. This article explains how the foods you eat affect your estrogen levels and covers what dietary patterns are associated with elevated, as well as, Researchers say radiation treatments for breast cancer in women over the age of 65 do not appear to affect the rate of survival, The former Dancing with the Stars host shares how becoming her own advocate saved her life and why she's passionate about sharing the benefits of, New research suggests that melatonin may help lower the risk of breast cancer, slow the growth of breast cancer, and help make breast cancer. There's no way to completely predict or prevent breast cancer. weight gain*. You can also visit the Femara manufacturers website to see if there are support options.
