For hot flashes, you should first try to relieve symptoms through lifestyle changes. A 2014 study found Femara to be more effective than clomiphene in treating infertility in women with PCOS. Femara is classified as an aromatase inhibitor. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more. Its typically used in combination with a progestin hormone for this use. No, Femara isnt a form of chemotherapy. Femara may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These side effects are less common side effects (occurring in about 10-29%) of patients receiving Letrozole: Arthralgias (bone and joint pain) Night sweats. If youre already ovulating before taking Femara, the drug may cause more eggs than usual to mature and be released from your ovaries. Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. 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. Serious side effects of Femara that have been reported include: Learn more about some of the side effects Femara may cause. For breast cancer treatment, youll usually take Femara once each day. Serious side effects, which are explained in more detail below in Side effect details, include: You may wonder how often certain side effects occur with this drug. This means that Femara will no longer be in your body when you ovulate or conceive. For more information about this use of Femara, see the section Off-label use of Femara for infertility below. 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. hot flashes flushed skin increased sweating joint pain weakness edema (swelling), possibly in your ankles or feet headache dizziness bone pain The mild side effects of Femara that are less. If you have questions or concerns about this potential side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. After youve gone through menopause, your ovaries no longer produce estrogen. Both Femara and clomiphene may be prescribed to treat female* infertility. For this use, youll usually take Femara for 5 years after youve already taken tamoxifen for 5 years following surgery to remove the cancer. If youre pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, talk with your doctor. Talk with your doctor if youre pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed. You should also talk with them if youre breastfeeding or considering breastfeeding. Femara is meant to be used as a long-term treatment for breast cancer. Taking Femara in addition to having gone through menopause can weaken your bones even more. You should not stop taking Letrozole without discussing with your physician. Your insurance plan may require you to get prior authorization before approving coverage for Femara. (With off-label use, a drug thats approved to treat one condition is used to treat another.). For more information about using Femara for infertility, see the section Off-label use of Femara for infertility above. A generic drug is an exact copy of a brand-name medication. Your bones rely on estrogen to keep them strong. Because of this, you shouldnt breastfeed while youre taking Femara. International guidelines recommend letrozole (the active drug in Femara) as an effective treatment for infertility. A 2019 review of studies also found Femara to be more effective than clomiphene in treating infertility in females* with PCOS. After menopause, your body produces less estrogen, which can weaken your bones. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. These types of therapies stop estrogen from encouraging breast cancer cells to grow. Another 2019 review of studies found Femara and clomiphene to be similarly effective in treating unexplained infertility. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. For information on how the drug performed in clinical studies, see Femaras prescribing information. Femara is prescribed to treat certain types of breast cancer in adult females* who have gone through menopause. Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs they have approved. . This helps slow the growth and spread of cancer thats encouraged to grow by estrogen. A study has found that taking Femara for 10 years instead of 5: reduces the risk of recurrence. Femara can decrease bone mineral density in some people. They shouldnt be crushed, split, or chewed. Taking medications, vaccines, foods, and other things with a certain drug can affect how the drug works. Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include: A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Below youll find answers to some frequently asked questions about Femaras side effects. With advanced breast cancer, the cancer has spread to nearby areas or lymph nodes (called locally advanced breast cancer), or it has spread to other parts of the body (called metastatic breast cancer). 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. Should I use other breast cancer treatments while taking Femara? There are also some steps you can take to help strengthen your bones naturally. And dont stop taking Femara unless your doctor recommends it. 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. You can also visit the Femara manufacturers website to see if there are support options. Also, if you experience fatigue, extreme tiredness, or dizziness while taking Femara, you shouldnt drive or operate heavy machinery. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. Alexander M. Castellino, PhD & Zosia Chustecka. 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. Some people taking Femara may experience weight gain. https://www.drugs.com/pro/letrozole.html, Letrozole (Femara) Breast cancer now. Your doctor may prescribe Femara along with other breast cancer treatments. Prophylactic mastectomy is surgery to remove breast tissue. Its a type of drug called an aromatase inhibitor. For these women, infertility may be caused by problems with ovulation, or it may not have an obvious cause (called unexplained infertility). Femara isnt currently approved to treat infertility in females. Women with hormone-sensitive breast cancer face years of adjuvant . The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. When estrogen is blocked, the pituitary gland gets a message that it needs to produce follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which stimulates the ovary to produce an egg. Maintaining a moderate weight. Mild side effects of Femara can usually go away within a few days or a couple weeks. If you and your doctor determine that Femara is safe and effective for you, youll likely take it long term. Estrogen helps to keep your bones strong. Because these drugs work in the same way, their side effects are very similar. However, stopping Femara treatment isnt known to cause new side effects. As with all medications, the cost of Femara can vary. (With osteoporosis, you have weak, thin bones.). Am I at a higher risk for certain side effects from Femara? If you have osteoporosis or risk factors* for developing this condition, talk with your doctor before starting Femara. Femara comes as tablets that you take by mouth. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. Coming off letrozole. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. The drug works by lowering estrogen levels in your body, which helps stop breast cancer from growing. 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. The actual price youll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use. 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. They can suggest ways to help manage this side effect. Spotting may occur with Femara use. It works by stopping an enzyme (type of protein) called aromatase from working as usual. Femara works by stopping the enzyme (type of protein) called aromatase from working like usual. Femara tablets should be stored at room temperature (77F/25C) in a tightly sealed container. In this case, stopping Femara can sometimes improve your breast cancer, rather than causing side effects. See Femaras prescribing information for details. Some that are rare (occurring in less than 10% of patients) are not listed here. If letrozole stops working and your breast cancer comes back, your specialist may prescribe another hormone drug. Can breast cancer return while on letrozole? If you drink alcohol and youre concerned about how this might affect your condition, talk with your doctor. Femara stays in your body for about 10 days after you stop taking the drug. Early-stage breast cancer that has been treated with tamoxifen citrate for at least 5 years. Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Femara. Side effects usually improve after a few months as your body gets used to the medicine. For example, they may order imaging tests to see if your cancer tumors are shrinking. Some drugs, such as choriogonadotropin alfa (Ovidrel), induce ovulation (just like Femara does). reduced the number of deaths from breast cancer. 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. Avoid storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as in bathrooms. Be sure to follow your doctors instructions. To help make sure that you dont miss a dose, try setting a reminder on your phone. This allows them to monitor how strong your bones are. Learn more. You can also call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use their online tool. And there are other drugs used to treat infertility that do other things in your body. Can Breast Cancer Be Detected in a Complete Blood Count (CBC)? 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. Ophthalmology 54 years experience Few: Femara ( letrozole) blocks the formation of estrogen. Learn more about some of the side effects that Femara may cause. 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