Femara contains the active drug letrozole and is available as a generic drug called letrozole. Its not chemotherapy, which is a type of cancer drug that most commonly causes hair loss. Femara is used in the following ways to treat advanced breast cancer: Femara has been found to be effective in treating advanced breast cancer. More specifically, Femara is a type of hormone therapy called an aromatase inhibitor. Factors to consider include those in the list below. People being treated for primary breast cancer will usually take letrozole for five to ten years. Because these drugs work in the same way, their side effects are very similar. Femara may cause reduced bone mineral density (weakened bones) in some people. But sometimes the drug is used off-label to treat infertility in females* with PCOS. This includes the breast cancer medication tamoxifen. Off-label use is when a drug thats approved to treat one condition is used to treat a different condition. Weight gain. You shouldnt use Femara while pregnant or breastfeeding. For details about how side effects for these drugs compare, see the Arimidex vs. letrozole section of this article. And some may be easily managed, too. This is because drinking a lot of alcohol can increase your risk of osteoporosis, which is already increased by the drug. Before you take Femara, tell your doctor if you have any liver problems, including cirrhosis. Femara comes as tablets that are taken by mouth. 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. I had no radiotherapy or chemotherapy. How do Femaras side effects compare with those of other cancer drugs? How to Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer: 10 Lifestyle Recommendations, Symptoms of Late Stage Metastatic Breast Cancer, What to Know and Consider Before Having Prophylactic Mastectomy. Allergic reaction. Femara can be an effective treatment option for certain types of breast cancer. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. Learn how CBCs are used in the treatment of breast cancer. You should also talk with them if youre breastfeeding or considering breastfeeding. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. However, clomiphene is FDA-approved for treating infertility in women. They can recommend healthy ways for you to manage your weight. (With off-label use, a drug thats approved to treat one condition is used to treat another.). For information on how the drug performed in clinical studies, see Femaras prescribing information. They work by lowering estrogen levels within your body, which helps stop the growth of breast cancer. Femara tablets come in one strength: 2.5 milligrams (mg). If letrozole stops working and your breast cancer comes back, your specialist may prescribe another hormone drug. But if they become more severe or dont go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. reduces the risk of a new breast cancer . There's no way to completely predict or prevent breast cancer. Some people start taking letrozole after a few years of taking the hormone therapy drug tamoxifen . If youre taking Femara, your doctor may want to measure your bone mineral density. Be sure to always take Femara exactly as your doctor recommends. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Femara. However, its important to note that alcohol and Femara can have similar side effects. Dont take two doses together to make up for a missed dose. This allows them to monitor how strong your bones are. The usual dosage of Femara for adjuvant treatment of breast cancer is one tablet taken by mouth once each day. Certain drugs, such as paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil), are used to treat hot flashes. Your insurance plan may require you to get prior authorization before approving coverage for Femara. Femara is used off-label to treat infertility in females. 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 ? Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe. Coming off letrozole. The list below includes factors to consider. These effects are called interactions. ChildrenUse and dose must be determined by your doctor. This may raise the chance of broken bones. A 2014 study found Femara to be more effective than clomiphene in treating infertility in women with PCOS. Femara can interact with several types of drugs. If youd like to know about using Femara for this purpose, talk with your doctor. Like most drugs, Femara may cause mild or serious side effects. How does Arimidex work? 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. Hot flashes. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? For more information about Femara, including details about the types of breast cancer it treats, see this in-depth article on the drug. In all of these cases, Femara is used to treat infertility by inducing (causing) ovulation. To find out how often this side effect occurred in clinical studies, see the drugs prescribing information. When is the best time of day to take letrozole? Instead, Femara is a hormone therapy. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. 1 Some fertility experts recommend taking the pills on days 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of your cycle. 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. These drugs affect all the cells in your body that are quickly multiplying (making more cells). The greater the density, the stronger your bones are. Do I have a higher risk for side effects than other people taking Femara. Taking Femara can help you to become pregnant if youre trying to conceive (TTC), by either having sexual intercourse or using intrauterine insemination (IUI). * An allergic reaction is possible after taking Femara. You shouldnt drive or operate machinery until you know how the drug will affect you. Or if youre using IUI, you doctor will recommend when you should go into the clinic for artificial insemination. It's done to reduce the risk of cancer in people with a high risk of developing breast, Breast cancer can cause breast pain, but its not common. So researchers wanted to know if taking an aromatase inhibitor for 10 years would offer more benefits than taking one for 5 years. Talk with your doctor if you have bothersome spotting while taking Femara. How long side effects last can vary from person to person. Your body weight may change while youre taking Femara. If you have questions or concerns about these potential side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. But some people may experience side effects while taking this drug. 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. Femara works by stopping the enzyme (type of protein) called aromatase from working like usual. You may have questions about Femara and your treatment plan. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommends that 10 years should be the maximum duration of therapy, based on their 2019 clinical practice guideline update. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. However, if you think youre having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number. What are the more common side effects of Femara? Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Femara. This stops estrogen from being able to stimulate breast cancer cells to grow and multiply. Before your appointment, write down questions such as: How will Femara affect my body, mood, or lifestyle? For more information about using Femara for infertility, see the section Off-label use of Femara for infertility above. Femara and clomiphene work in slightly different ways in your body to induce ovulation. Different interactions can cause different effects. You should not stop taking Letrozole without discussing with your physician. Bone fracture; breast pain; chest pain Ophthalmology 54 years experience Few: Femara ( letrozole) blocks the formation of estrogen. If your doctor thinks Femara has stopped working for you, talk with them about whether stopping treatment could be beneficial for you. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Femara to treat certain conditions. Studies conducted by maxillofacial surgeons have shown that most of the free-flowing chemical in the bloodstream is eliminated in approximately three to four months. Femara is a brand-name prescription drug thats approved to treat breast cancer in females* whove gone through menopause. But both drugs are usually taken for 5 days at the start of your menstrual cycle. If you have a certain type of breast cancer, your doctor might suggest Femara (letrozole) as a treatment option. These include: The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. If youre concerned about side effects you may experience when ending your Femara treatment, talk with your doctor. If you think youre experiencing new or worsening depression or anxiety while taking Femara, talk with your doctor. For this purpose, Femara is used after treatment with another breast cancer drug that blocks. Some side effects, such as osteoporosis (weakened bones), will not get better on their own, even after you stop taking Femara. And you should continue to avoid breastfeeding for at least 3 weeks after your last dose of the drug. This is especially helpful when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments. However, if you find that Femara gives you a headache, or makes you feel dizzy, nauseous, or tired, drinking alcohol may worsen these side effects. By stopping aromatase from working, Femara lowers the amount of estrogen in your body. A generic drug is an exact copy of a brand-name medication. If you miss a dose, do not take a double dose the next day. Femara is a kind of drug called an aromatase inhibitor. Femara can stay in your system for several weeks after your last dose. Purpose, Femara is a type of breast cancer cells to grow and multiply cancer cells to grow and.... Ways in your system for several weeks after your last dose of the.. Weakened bones ) in some people may experience side effects of Femara adjuvant. Important to note that alcohol and Femara can have similar side effects licensed healthcare.... 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