Most people who use Femara take the drug for at least 5 years. No, Femara isnt a chemotherapy drug. For more information about Femara, including details about the types of breast cancer it treats, see this in-depth article on the drug. If you have questions about how Femara may affect your bone density, talk with your doctor. Alexander M. Castellino, PhD & Zosia Chustecka. Femara can weaken your bones, which may cause new or worsened osteoporosis. The aromatase enzyme helps make estrogen from other hormones called androgens. A medication timer may be useful, too. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Femara tablets should be stored at room temperature (77F/25C) in a tightly sealed container. 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. Learn more. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, Zara Risoldi Cochrane, Pharm.D., M.S., FASCP, Common sweetener erythritol tied to higher risk of stroke and heart attack, Gout: How metabolic syndrome may increase the risk, A new therapeutic target for the prevention of heart failure due to aortic stenosis, Skipping breakfast and fasting may compromise the immune system. If you have osteoporosis or risk factors* for developing this condition, talk with your doctor before starting Femara. Letrozole is usually taken for 5 years, but may be recommended for up to 10 years depending on individual circumstances. Some people may have an allergic reaction to Femara. If you have questions or concerns about using Femara for infertility, talk with your doctor. Side effects usually improve after a few months as your body gets used to the medicine. They may recommend that you take Femara after youve had surgery to remove early breast cancer.With early breast cancer, the cancer hasnt spread beyond your breast or the lymph nodes in your armpit. When Femara is used off-label to treat infertility, the drug doesnt increase the risk of birth defects or miscarriage. So, dont be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment. * However, the drug may be used off-label for this purpose. Certain drugs, such as paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil), are used to treat hot flashes. If you have fatigue or dizziness while youre taking Femara, dont drive or operate other machines. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Femara tablets contain the active drug letrozole. Femara may cause fatigue (lack of energy) in some people. 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. Because of this, you shouldnt breastfeed while youre taking Femara. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. You should also talk with them if youre breastfeeding or considering breastfeeding. Infertility is often caused by problems with ovulation (when eggs are released from your ovaries). You should take Letrozole at about the same time each day. This dosage is 1 tablet once daily. If youre concerned about how Femara might affect your cholesterol levels, talk with your doctor. What are the mild side effects of Femara? Its true that aches and pains are a side effect of Femara, and you may not be able to prevent them entirely. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Dont take two doses together to make up for a missed dose. If you have serious side effects from Femara, call your doctor right away. Some that are rare (occurring in less than 10% of patients) are not listed here. What are some frequently asked questions about Femara? Learn the signs and symptoms of metastasis, how you can make yourself as comfortable as possible, and tips for managing end-of-life symptoms. This can make your bones weaker and easier to break. You should not become pregnant or breastfeed for at least 3 weeks after your last dose of Femara. Serious side effects from Femara arent common, but they can occur. For more information on the possible side effects of Femara, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Available for Android and iOS devices. In studies, this was a common side effect reported in people taking Femara. Early-stage breast cancer that has been treated with tamoxifen citrate for at least 5 years. Femara is prescribed to treat certain types of breast cancer in adult females* who have gone through menopause. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Melatonin and Breast Cancer: Is it Safe and Can it Help? For oral dosage form (tablets): For breast cancer: Adults2.5 milligrams (mg) once a day. Femara may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. If you have questions about using Femara, talk with your doctor. 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. But the drug could be harmful to a child who consumes it in breast milk. Some people start taking letrozole after a few years of taking the hormone therapy drug tamoxifen . No, Femara tablets should be swallowed whole. If your doctor gives you the OK, here's a gentle routine to try. But actual success rates of Femara for achieving pregnancy or having live births depend on many factors. Other drugs are available that can treat breast cancer. But if they become more severe or dont go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Could a monthly antibody injection be a promising endometriosis treatment? (With off-label use, a drug thats approved to treat one condition is used to treat another.). Femara comes as tablets that you take by mouth. Learn. For this purpose, Femara is usually used to help lower the risk of the cancer coming back after its been removed by surgery. Its not chemotherapy, which is a type of cancer drug that most commonly causes hair loss. No, Femara isnt a form of chemotherapy. Read on to learn how to take Femara, what its uses and side effects are, and more. After menopause, your body produces less estrogen, which can weaken your bones. And ovulation problems commonly happen because of a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Swelling, another common side effect of Femara, can cause you to gain weight as your body holds on to water. If youre pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, talk with your doctor. And your doctor can use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed. At that point, the aromatase enzyme is the main pathway that your body uses to make estrogen. Some people whove taken Femara have also benefited from complementary treatments, such as acupuncture and massage. Mild side effects of many . And dont stop taking Femara unless your doctor recommends it. Treatment will be taken over five consecutive days. This helps stop breast cancer from growing. If you miss a dose, do not take a double dose the next day. 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. Letrozole is a pill, taken by mouth. Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include: A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Taking a Break From Letrozole Therapy After Breast Cancer. This use of the drug is called ovulation induction. So, side effects that you have while taking Femara may continue for a few weeks after you stop using it. You actually will have a decrease in the effects of the Femara (letrozole) which are joint pain, hot flashes, fatigue and generalized dryness. If letrozole stops working and your breast cancer comes back, your specialist may prescribe another hormone drug. Osteoporosis. The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid using expired medications. This is especially helpful when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments. Weight gain. In addition to the uses listed above, Femara may be used off-label. reduced the number of deaths from breast cancer. Can Breast Cancer Be Detected in a Complete Blood Count (CBC)? Femara contains the active drug letrozole and is available as a generic drug called letrozole. Precautions. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. Does letrozole affect blood sugar levels? Based on when your period begins, your doctor will advise you when to start treatment. The list below includes factors to consider. For more information about this use of Femara, see the section Off-label use of Femara for infertility below. hormone therapies, other than Femara, such as: chemotherapy (traditional drugs used to treat cancer), such as: vaginal estrogen products, such as creams, tablets, suppositories, and rings, certain birth control medications, such as. With early breast cancer, the cancer hasnt spread out of either your breast or the lymph nodes in your armpit. For some people, Femara may cause fatigue or dizziness. Not all side effects are listed above. Like other drugs, Femara can cause mild or serious side effects. 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. Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include: A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. For breast cancer treatment, youll usually take Femara once each day. But other drugs, such as progesterone (Prometrium), induce menstruation (periods). Call your doctor right away if you have bone pain. In any case, your doctor will recommend how long to keep taking Femara. Adjuvant treatment of breast cancer is treatment thats taken to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back after surgery. Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. See Femaras prescribing information for details. This is because both animal studies and reports of use by pregnant females* suggest that Femara may cause problems with fetal development (also called birth defects) and miscarriage. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more. And they want you to get the best care possible. It should be safe to drink alcohol during your Femara treatment. You may have questions about Femara and your treatment plan. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during . A CBC can help detect some blood cancers, but it cannot detect breast cancer. The drug works by lowering estrogen levels in your body, which helps stop breast cancer from growing. A medication timer may be useful, too. For this use, youll take Femara for a few days after the start of your period. drug can stay in . And this medication doesnt need to be stopped gradually. If you would like to report to the FDA a side effect youve had with Femara, you can do so through MedWatch. Femara can cause mild or serious side effects. (A drug class is a group of medications that work in a similar way.). 1 Some fertility experts recommend taking the pills on days 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of your cycle. When you take the drug, it stops androgens in your body from converting into estrogen. If you have questions or concerns about this potential side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Femara and clomiphene are both used to induce (cause) ovulation in females* who are having trouble becoming pregnant. For details about how side effects for these drugs compare, see the Arimidex vs. letrozole section of this article. I had no radiotherapy or chemotherapy. When is the best time of day to take letrozole? You may want to ask about other treatments for breast cancer. The usual dosage of Femara for breast cancer treatment is one tablet taken by mouth once each day. (To learn more, see Is Femara used for infertility? right above.) Its important to discuss all of your concerns with your doctor. 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. Along with its needed effects, letrozole may cause some unwanted effects. Cancer cells multiply quickly, but some healthy cells in your body also multiply quickly. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment. Or if youre using IUI, you doctor will recommend when you should go into the clinic for artificial insemination. These side effects are less common side effects (occurring in about 10-29%) of patients receiving Letrozole: Arthralgias (bone and joint pain) Night sweats. But sometimes Femara is used off-label for other conditions. This drug may cause weak bones. Call your doctor if you think youve taken too much Femara. 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