After menopause, your body produces less estrogen, which can weaken your bones. You can take your dose at any time of the day. With early breast cancer, the cancer hasnt spread out of either your breast or the lymph nodes in your armpit. Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. Letrozole is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat: Breast cancer in postmenopausal women who have any of the following types of breast cancer--. (Enzymes help chemical reactions in your body to happen.). (Off-label use means using a drug for a condition other than the one its approved to treat.). 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. 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. Learn more. reduces the risk of a new breast cancer . Femara may be used off-label to treat infertility due to PCOS and other causes. Femara can stay in your system after you stop taking the drug. No, Femara isnt a chemotherapy drug. Femara can stay in your system for several weeks after your last dose. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Femara. Most doctors wont prescribe Femara for more than six cycles of treatment. See the sections Femara for advanced breast cancer and Femara for adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer below for more information. 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. In all of these cases, Femara is used to treat infertility by inducing (causing) ovulation. For more information about Femara, including details about the types of breast cancer it treats, see this in-depth article on the drug. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. The greater the density, the stronger your bones are. Some drugs, such as choriogonadotropin alfa (Ovidrel), induce ovulation (just like Femara does). Your doctor will explain how you should take Femara, such as how much to take and how often. Oftentimes people with PCOS dont ovulate like usual, so they have trouble becoming pregnant. Be sure to always take Femara exactly as your doctor recommends. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think youre having a medical emergency. If you experience side effects that dont go way or interfere with your daily life, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Your doctor may ask you to start taking the drug either on day 3 or day 5 of your menstrual cycle. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Its not known if Femara passes into breast milk. In studies, increased cholesterol levels were one of the most common side effects among people taking Femara. And you shouldnt become pregnant or breastfeed for at least 3 weeks after your last dose of the drug. When you take Femara to induce (cause) ovulation, the drug is cleared from your body within several days after youve stopped taking it. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think youre having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. And ovulation problems commonly happen because of a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This may raise the chance of broken bones. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. It only has these risks if its taken when youre already pregnant. If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Femara to treat certain conditions. Femara is a hormone therapy thats used for HR+ breast cancer. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Femara. Some people may experience mild or serious side effects during their Femara treatment. But if you think youre having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number. If your doctor confirms that you had a mild allergic reaction to Femara, theyll decide if you should continue taking it. If youre not having periods when starting Femara, your doctor will recommend when you should start taking the drug. Call your doctor right away if you have bone pain. The FDA website provides several useful tips on medication disposal. 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. You can also find information on the drugs strength, form, and more. By stopping aromatase from working, Femara lowers the amount of estrogen in your body. The growth of many cancers of the breast is stimulated or maintained by estrogens. The types include: To learn more about these conditions and how Femara is used to treat them, see the What is Femara used for? section below. They can recommend healthy ways for you to manage your weight. Femara should not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Femara is used off-label for this purpose. If youd like to notify the FDA about a side effect youve had with Femara, visit MedWatch. And let your doctor know if you have more questions about these medications. For more information on the possible side effects of Femara, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Then, you can share this information with your doctor. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. These side effects are less common side effects (occurring in about 10-29%) of patients receiving Letrozole: Arthralgias (bone and joint pain) Night sweats. For details about how side effects for these drugs compare, see the Arimidex vs. letrozole section of this article. 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. Here are some common questions about taking Femara tablets. You should take Letrozole at about the same time each day. For more information about using Femara to treat infertility, see the section Off-label use of Femara for infertility above. Arimidex (anastrozole) is a brand-name prescription drug thats used for certain types of 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. 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. Femara is meant to be used as a long-term treatment for breast cancer. Limiting alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods. Taking Femara can cause high cholesterol in some people. In fact, aromatase inhibitors such as Femara are recommended in current guidelines for people with HR+ breast cancer. improved overall survival. If youd like to know about using Femara for these purposes, talk with your doctor. But the drug could be harmful to a child who consumes it in breast milk. Learn about the dosage for Femara in treating certain types of breast cancer. The Femara dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Stopping Femara treatment isnt known to cause side effects. A medication timer may be useful, too. The usual dosage of Femara for adjuvant treatment of breast cancer is one tablet taken by mouth once each day. If youre at a moderate weight, you may have fewer and less serious hot flashes. Below are brief descriptions of each type of breast cancer Femara is used to treat: Before taking Femara, its important to talk with your doctor about your overall health and other medical conditions you have. Femara is approved to treat certain types of early and advanced breast cancer. When you take the drug, it stops androgens in your body from converting into estrogen. At that point, the aromatase enzyme is the main pathway that your body uses to make estrogen. During your Femara treatment, consider keeping notes about any side effects youre having. Below are lists of medications that can interact with Femara. 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 is used off-label to treat infertility in females. These effects are called interactions. If you have questions or concerns about this potential side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Not taking letrozole for the recommended time may increase the risk of your breast cancer coming back. If youre concerned about hair loss while taking Femara, talk with your doctor. Coming off letrozole. Using more than this can lead to serious side effects. With early breast cancer, the cancer hasnt spread out of either your breast or the lymph nodes in your armpit. Its important to discuss all of your concerns with your doctor. 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. Letrozole works by decreasing the amounts of these hormones in the body. They can recommend some ways to manage this side effect. If youre already ovulating before taking Femara, the drug may cause more eggs than usual to mature and be released from your ovaries. If you havent conceived after six treatment cycles with Femara, talk with your doctor about other options for infertility treatment. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think youre having a medical emergency. It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe. Side effects usually improve after a few months as your body gets used to the medicine. Like most drugs, Femara can cause an allergic reaction in some people. 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 is sometimes used off-label for this purpose in females* who havent had success with other endometriosis treatments. However, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. * However, its sometimes used off-label for this use. Most side effects of Femara are mild. about any long-term side effects from taking Femara, talk with your doctor. Taking more than the recommended dosage of Femara may result in overdose in some people. For some people, Femara may cause fatigue or dizziness. Learn how CBCs are used in the treatment of breast cancer. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. This drug may cause weak bones. If youre concerned about weight gain while taking Femara, talk with your doctor. Another 2019 review of studies found Femara and clomiphene to be similarly effective in treating unexplained infertility. You might take a look at the Calling Long Term Survivors thread, I believe there's a couple of women who have been on it for 4+ years. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. However, statistics show that many people with breast cancer have an excellent chance of. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article. Femara comes as tablets that you take by mouth. Mild side effects of Femara that have been reported include: Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. Hormone therapies stop estrogen from encouraging breast cancer cells to grow. Nausea. Femara and clomiphene work in slightly different ways in your body to induce ovulation. 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. There's no way to completely predict or prevent breast cancer. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. To find out how effective Femara was for infertility in clinical studies, see the drugs prescribing information. Ovulation tends to occur between 5 and 10 days after youve taken your last Femara tablet. Some people may have an allergic reaction to Femara. Taking a Break From Letrozole Therapy After Breast Cancer. Some side effects, such as osteoporosis (weakened bones), will not get better on their own, even after you stop taking Femara. 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. * Sex and gender exist on spectrums. And dont stop taking Femara unless your doctor recommends it. If you have questions or concerns about these potential side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. One thing that may help is trying to stay as active as possible. Examples of Femaras commonly reported side effects include: * To learn more about this side effect, see Side effects explained below. Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with this drug include: In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. However, stopping Femara treatment isnt known to cause new side effects. However, its important to note that alcohol and Femara can have similar side effects. Its a prescription drug thats used to treat certain types of breast cancer in adult females* who have gone through menopause. Your doctor will help you to weigh potential risks and benefits of taking Femara for a long period of time. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. If you have fatigue or dizziness while youre taking Femara, dont drive or operate other machines. No, Femara tablets should be swallowed whole. Breast cancer cells may form a tumor in the breast and spread to other areas of the body. Femara is a prescription drug used in adult females* whove gone through menopause. Learn. But studies comparing the two drugs have found slightly differing results. You should not stop taking Letrozole without discussing with your physician. And talk with your doctor about ways to help improve your energy level during treatment. They can suggest ways to help manage this side effect. Your doctor will order blood tests to check your cholesterol levels before you begin taking Femara and during your treatment. Its not chemotherapy, which is a type of cancer drug that most commonly causes hair loss. Bring someone with you to your appointment if doing so will help you feel more comfortable. headache*. Maintaining a moderate weight. If you have questions about using Femara for breast cancer, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Both medications belong to a group of drugs called aromatase inhibitors. If you have osteoporosis or risk factors* for developing this condition, talk with your doctor before starting Femara. Your insurance plan may require you to get prior authorization before approving coverage for Femara. Alcohol isnt known to interact with Femara. Learn how CBCs are used in the treatment of breast cancer. Use of the term female in this article refers to sex assigned at birth. But 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). The half-life of Femara is about 2 days. You can also ask your pharmacist for information on how to dispose of your medication. 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. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? These lists dont include all possible side effects. Its used to treat the following types of cancer: Femara comes as a tablet you take by mouth once per day. Femara induces (causes) ovulation and can increase your chances of becoming pregnant. 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. Stretching and low-impact exercise such as walking can help keep your joints and muscles from aching. There are also some things you can do to help minimize loss of bone strength while youre taking Femara. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. This is because the drug can stay in your system for about 7 days after you stop the treatment. But its not known for sure what symptoms you may have from overdose. But this was not one of the most common side effects reported in studies of the drug. Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. Your doctor will also advise when you should start having sex if youre trying to conceive (TTC) naturally. What could happen if I become pregnant during my Femara treatment? Femara shouldnt be taken during pregnancy. As a type of hormone therapy, Femara works by lowering estrogen levels in your body. Femara is prescribed to treat certain types of breast cancer in adult females* who have gone through menopause. In addition, a small study found that Femara may be effective in treating infertility in men who have both obesity and low testosterone levels. If you do drink alcohol while taking Femara, you might be more likely to experience: If you plan to drink alcohol while taking Femara, talk with your doctor about how much may be safe for you to drink. Estrogen helps to keep your bones strong. What Types of Breast Cancer Have the Highest Recurrence Rates? 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. Increase your chances of becoming pregnant is working properly mark of Healthline Media does not medical! As your doctor adult females * who havent had success with other endometriosis.... Eggs than usual to mature and be released from your ovaries, call 911 if your doctor about health... Low-Impact exercise such as walking can help keep your joints and muscles from.! The possible side effects that may help is trying to conceive ( ). No way to completely predict or prevent breast cancer serious hot flashes early and advanced breast cancer the! Your body from converting into estrogen wont prescribe Femara for these drugs compare, see this in-depth article on drug... Treatment cycles with Femara some common questions about taking Femara, dont drive or other! 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