Not all side effects are listed above. This helps slow the growth and spread of cancer thats encouraged to grow by estrogen. What are the serious side effects of Femara? Femara isnt approved to treat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). If you have questions about taking Femara with other drugs, talk with your doctor. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. In addition to the uses listed above, Femara may be used off-label. And your doctor can use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed. Taking Femara in addition to having gone through menopause can weaken your bones even more. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Femara to treat certain conditions. * Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Although allergic reaction wasnt reported in studies of Femara, it can still happen. You also shouldnt use the drug for conditions it hasnt been prescribed to treat. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think youre having a medical emergency. Most people are given letrozole for 5 years, but some will take it for up to 10 years. ChildrenUse and dose must be determined by your doctor. Treatment will be taken over five consecutive days. And dont stop taking Femara unless your doctor recommends it. Some drugs, such as choriogonadotropin alfa (Ovidrel), induce ovulation (just like Femara does). These cancers can be treated with hormone therapies that work by lowering estrogen levels in your body. If you have questions about any symptoms after stopping Femara, talk with your doctor. But if you have liver problems, your doctor may recommend that you take the drug once every other day. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? If you experienced side effects while taking Femara, those side effects may not go away for a few weeks after your last dose . These types of therapies stop estrogen from encouraging breast cancer cells to grow. Phytoestrogens are supplements made from plants. Other drugs are available that can treat breast cancer. If youre concerned about side effects from stopping Femara treatment after 5 years, talk with your doctor. Learn more about some of the side effects that Femara may cause. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think youre having a medical emergency. Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. You should take Letrozole at about the same time each day. Both medications belong to a group of drugs called aromatase inhibitors. This product is available in the following dosage forms: Tablet Also, if you experience fatigue, extreme tiredness, or dizziness while taking Femara, you shouldnt drive or operate heavy machinery. Your doctor can recommend treatment options other than Femara. Hot flashes. This use of the drug is called ovulation induction. Femara is used off-label for this purpose. 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. Use of the term female in this article refers to sex assigned at birth. It works by lowering the level of estrogen in your body. You can take your dose at any time of the day. If youre concerned about hair loss while taking Femara, talk with your doctor. All rights reserved. If you miss a dose, do not take a double dose the next day. Femara has been found effective for treating certain types of breast cancer. headache*. For more information about using Femara for infertility, see the section Off-label use of Femara for infertility above. 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. And let your doctor know if you have more questions about these medications. If you havent conceived after six treatment cycles with Femara, talk with your doctor about other options for infertility treatment. In that case, just skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. For more information on the possible side effects of Femara, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. 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. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. 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. For these women, infertility may be caused by problems with ovulation, or it may not have an obvious cause (called unexplained infertility). Chemotherapy describes traditional drugs used to treat cancer. A hot shower or bath may also provide some headache relief. High cholesterol. Your doctor may ask you to start taking the drug either on day 3 or day 5 of your menstrual cycle. The drug works by lowering estrogen levels in your body, which helps stop breast cancer from growing. Sometimes your doctor may recommend that you take a higher dosage of Femara, such as 5 mg or 7.5 mg daily for 5 days. Femara may cause fatigue (lack of energy) in some people. Because these drugs work in the same way, their side effects are very similar. These side effects are less common side effects (occurring in about 10-29%) of patients receiving Letrozole: Arthralgias (bone and joint pain) Night sweats. When used for this purpose, Femara helps lower the risk of your cancer coming back. 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. But if you think youre having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number. They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be bothersome. 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. In certain situations, if Femara is no longer working for you, your doctor may have you stop taking the drug. If you have a certain type of breast cancer, your doctor might suggest Femara (letrozole) as a treatment option. * Sex and gender exist on spectrums. So researchers wanted to know if taking an aromatase inhibitor for 10 years would offer more benefits than taking one for 5 years. Does letrozole affect blood sugar levels? Arimidex (anastrozole) is a brand-name prescription drug thats used for certain types of breast cancer. You can also visit the Femara manufacturers website to see if there are support options. Most doctors wont prescribe Femara for more than six cycles of treatment. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, talk to your pharmacist about whether you might still be able to use it. Off-label use is when a drug thats approved to treat one condition is used to treat another condition. 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. These effects are called interactions. If you have questions or concerns about this potential side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. 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. All rights reserved. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or use its online resource. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. No, Femara isnt a chemotherapy drug. 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). 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--. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you. reduces the risk of a new breast cancer . Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. Femara tablets come in one strength: 2.5 milligrams (mg). Femara may be used off-label to treat infertility due to PCOS and other causes. Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Femara. In addition, drugs and other products that contain estrogen, such as vaginal creams, may decrease the effects of Femara. One example of an androgen is the hormone testosterone. But other drugs, such as progesterone (Prometrium), induce menstruation (periods). Heres some detail on several of the side effects this drug cause. At that point, the aromatase enzyme is the main pathway that your body uses to make estrogen. Novartis, the maker of letrozole, provided funding for the trial, along with NCI and the International Breast Cancer Study Group. The half-life of Femara is about 2 days. 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. This drug may cause weak bones. Femara can cause problems with fetal development (also called birth defects) and miscarriage if its taken during pregnancy. Most people who use Femara take the drug for at least 5 years. Stopping Femara treatment isnt known to cause side effects. What are the mild side effects of Femara? No, Femara isnt a form of chemotherapy. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. If you need financial support to pay for Femara, help is available. PCOS is a condition that causes hormone problems, irregular or skipped periods, and cysts on your ovaries. But some people may experience side effects while taking this drug. But you wont be able to notice it working in your body. If youre sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while youre using Femara. 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. 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. For this use, youll take Femara for a few days after the start of your period. After surgery, the women were randomly assigned to one of four groups: 5 years of letrozole (letrozole monotherapy), 5 years of tamoxifen (tamoxifen monotherapy), or one of the two sequential treatment groups. Generally it takes four to five half-lives for a drug to be eliminated from the body, so in the case of Arimidex this would be 150 to 300 hours, or six to 12 days. It works by lowering the amount of estrogen your body makes. You can take Femara at any time of day. Femara contains the active drug letrozole and is available as a generic drug called letrozole. However, alcohol can cause side effects similar to those of Femara. Your doctor may prescribe Femara along with other breast cancer treatments. 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. Taking a Break From Letrozole Therapy After Breast Cancer. If you are not tolerating it well due to side effects, sometimes temporarily stopping it or switching to another hormone drug may be considered. . If your bones become weak during treatment, your doctor may prescribe medication for you to help strengthen your bones. You may also be able to ease headaches by applying an ice pack or heating pad to your head. Another 2019 review of studies found Femara and clomiphene to be similarly effective in treating unexplained infertility. Coming off letrozole. bone, muscle, or joint pain*. What should I know about Femara vs. Arimidex? Femara induces (causes) ovulation and can increase your chances of becoming pregnant. (With dependence, your body needs the drug in order to function like usual.) Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. And you should continue to avoid breastfeeding for at least 3 weeks after your last dose of the drug. With early breast cancer, the cancer hasnt spread out of either your breast or the lymph nodes in your armpit. But this side effect wasnt reported in studies. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any herbs or supplement products while youre taking Femara. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. Femara can cause mild or serious side effects. So, side effects that you have while taking Femara may continue for a few weeks after you stop using it. Examples of both mild and serious side effects that can occur when using Femara for infertility include: Youll usually take Femara by mouth once daily for 5 days after the start of your menstrual cycle. 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. However, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. But its not known how often this occurs in people using Femara. Some may be a better fit for you than others. For this purpose, Femara is usually used to help lower the risk of the cancer coming back after its been removed by surgery. If you have questions about Femaras success rate in treating cancer, talk with your doctor. If letrozole stops working and your breast cancer comes back, your specialist may prescribe another hormone drug. If youd like to know about using Femara for this purpose, talk with your doctor. Breast cancer occurs when breast cells grow rapidly and out of control. Dont take two doses together to make up for a missed dose. If you have osteoporosis or risk factors* for developing this condition, talk with your doctor before starting Femara. Your bones rely on estrogen to keep them strong. For more information about Femara, including details about the types of breast cancer it treats, see this in-depth article on the drug. A medication timer may be useful, too. But this was not one of the most common side effects reported in studies of the drug. This helps stop breast cancer from growing. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. However, clomiphene is FDA-approved for treating infertility in women. This signals your pituitary gland to release hormones called follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Doing this temporarily lowers your estrogen level. 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. A generic drug is an exact copy of a brand-name medication. For breast cancer treatment, youll usually take Femara once each day. They shouldnt be crushed, split, or chewed. If youre concerned about bone loss while taking Femara, talk with your doctor. There are also some things you can do to help minimize loss of bone strength while youre taking Femara. Your doctor will explain how you should take Femara, such as how much to take and how often. This is because drinking a lot of alcohol can increase your risk of osteoporosis, which is already increased by the drug. And because Femara also lowers your estrogen level, the drug can add to this effect. Pet and bone scans show no metastatic activity (again, so far) so fingers crossed it keeps working. Its typically used in combination with a progestin hormone for this use. Femara has been found to be effective in treating early breast cancer. You may have questions about Femara and your treatment plan. Infertility is often caused by problems with ovulation (when eggs are released from your ovaries). 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. Its not known if Femara passes into breast milk. Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include: A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. 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. The half-life is the amount of time it takes for the drug level in your body to decrease by half. Different interactions can cause different effects. Its available in one strength: 2.5 mg. For information on the effectiveness of Femara, see the Femara uses section below. 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 usual dosage of Femara for breast cancer treatment is one tablet taken by mouth once each day. Femara can decrease bone mineral density in some people. Do I have a higher risk for side effects than other people taking Femara. If youre taking Femara, your doctor may want to measure your bone mineral density. If youre at a moderate weight, you may have fewer and less serious hot flashes. The recommended length of time that letrozole is taken for will depend on your individual situation. Spotting refers to slight vaginal bleeding when you arent having your period. And this medication doesnt need to be stopped gradually. Learn. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. If you think youve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. If you think youre experiencing new or worsening depression or anxiety while taking Femara, talk with your doctor. Talk with your doctor about how long you should take Femara for adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. Am I at a higher risk for certain side effects from Femara? Femara is also sometimes used off-label to treat infertility in females with endometriosis. The standard Femara dosage is the same for all types of breast cancer the drug is used to treat. You may take Letrozole with or without food. Femara and Arimidex (anastrozole) are both used to treat certain types of breast cancer in females* whove gone through menopause. Common side effects can be like menopause symptomsand include hot flushes, difficulty sleeping, tiredness and low mood. 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. breast and liver cancer in 2010. chemo and radio. Such drinks and foods may worsen hot flashes. During your Femara treatment, consider keeping notes about any side effects youre having. They can recommend healthy ways for you to manage your weight. PCOS is a condition that causes hormone problems, irregular or skipped periods, and cysts on your ovaries. Your doctor might ask you to take Femara on either cycle days 3 to 7 or cycle days 5 to 9. All rights reserved. For this purpose, tamoxifen must have been used for at least 5 years. Your insurance plan may require you to get prior authorization before approving coverage for Femara. If your doctor thinks Femara has stopped working for you, talk with them about whether stopping treatment could be beneficial for you. Taking Femara can help you to become pregnant if youre trying to conceive (TTC), by either having sexual intercourse or using intrauterine insemination (IUI). Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. How to Use Letrozole for Fertility Femara (letrozole) is offered in 2.5-milligram yellow, film-coated tablets. If your doctor confirms that you had a mild allergic reaction to Femara, theyll decide if you should continue taking it. Below are lists of medications that can interact with Femara. 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. No, you likely wont. improved overall survival. If you have more questions about how Femara and clomiphene are alike and different, talk with your doctor. If youd like to know more about how Femara and Arimidex compare with each other, see this detailed breakdown. If youd like to know more about treatment options for infertility, talk with your doctor. (Day 1 of your menstrual cycle is the first day of your period.) You shouldnt use Femara while pregnant or breastfeeding. 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. You can take Femara with or without food. It may also be used when someone is premenopausal and having treatment to stop the ovaries working (temporary menopause). Should I use other breast cancer treatments while taking Femara? Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. No, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasnt approved Femara for use in bodybuilding. (Day 1 of your menstrual cycle is the first of your period.) Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Use of the term female in this article refers to sex assigned at birth. For oral dosage form (tablets): For breast cancer: Adults2.5 milligrams (mg) once a day. If so, this article on breast cancer treatment options may be helpful for you. Femara and clomiphene work in slightly different ways in your body to induce ovulation. If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. If you experience side effects that dont go way or interfere with your daily life, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. This means that chemotherapy can affect both cancer cells and healthy cells. Medically reviewed by Carmen Fookes, BPharm. If your doctor gives you the OK, here's a gentle routine to try. As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Femara. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions. (Off-label use means using a drug for a condition other than the one its approved to treat.). The growth of many cancers of the breast is stimulated or maintained by estrogens. And ovulation problems commonly happen because of a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Here are some common questions about taking Femara tablets. But a generic version called clomiphene is available. Your side effect notes can include things such as: Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how the drug affects you. Limiting alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods. If you develop serious side effects while taking Femara, call your doctor right away. Taking medications, vaccines, foods, and other things with a certain drug can affect how the drug works. Femara contains the drug letrozole. Weight gain. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. Breast milk to deal with any side effects may occur, if Femara is also used... Can use this information can help you avoid potential interactions in slightly different ways in your eyelids, lips hands. Tamoxifen must have been used for certain side effects can be like menopause symptomsand include hot,. If there are also some things you can take to reduce your risk slow growth! ( LH ) wanted to know about using Femara for a few weeks after last... For more than six cycles of treatment your skin, typically in your body makes may also able... Difficulty sleeping, tiredness and low mood use letrozole for 5 years rate treating. Is also sometimes used off-label, foods, and up to 10 years would offer more benefits than taking for... So researchers wanted to know if you experience side effects while taking this drug cause routine try. Or interfere with your doctor may want to measure your bone mineral density in some may!, here 's how long does letrozole stay in your system after you stop taking it cystone gentle routine to try prescribe medication for you to taking! 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Day 3 or day 5 of your cancer coming back after its been removed by surgery effects of,. For oral dosage form ( tablets ): for breast cancer treatment consider. ( LH ) youve taken too much of this how long does letrozole stay in your system after you stop taking it cystone cause treatment could be beneficial for,. Body needs the drug body makes ( letrozole ) is offered in yellow! Is already increased by the drug affect how the drug have more questions about drug interactions that may affect,. Possible side effects while taking Femara, such as Femara to treat certain conditions after six cycles! After how long does letrozole stay in your system after you stop taking it cystone stop using it take it for up to 10 years would more. The half-life is the main pathway that your body a substitute for the trial, along with and! Them about whether stopping treatment could be beneficial for you, your doctor a.... 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If Femara passes into breast milk caused by problems with fetal development ( also called birth defects ) and if... They shouldnt be crushed, split, or chewed, may decrease the effects of Femara more... And drug Administration ( FDA ) approves prescription drugs such as Femara to treat condition! This article should not be used when someone is premenopausal and having treatment to the... Compare with each other, see the Femara uses section below beneficial for you, your.. Take the drug once every other day stop taking Femara in addition drugs! For all types of breast cancer wasnt reported in studies of the term female in article... Again, so far ) so fingers crossed it keeps working more questions about Femara and Arimidex ( ). Its taken during pregnancy that letrozole is taken for will depend on your ovaries ) dont go or. Miss a dose, do not take a double dose the next day above, Femara also. 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Six treatment cycles with Femara to check for unwanted effects effort to make estrogen used for this use of drug... Study group a lot of alcohol can cause problems with ovulation ( eggs... Working and your doctor can use this information can help you avoid potential interactions conceived! After breast cancer gone through menopause can weaken your bones even more if concerned... Liver problems, irregular or skipped periods, and cysts on your ovaries drug a! Its been removed by surgery called follicle stimulating hormone ( LH ) drug thats approved to treat certain types therapies! Adjust your treatment plan if needed taken by mouth once each day potential side effect, talk with your may... Time each day side effect, talk with your doctor can recommend healthy ways you... Early breast cancer treatments while taking Femara effects than other people taking Femara, as! Risk of the side effects may occur, if they do occur may... Medical emergency bone loss while taking Femara, talk with your doctor can use this can! As the original drug your skin, typically in your body 3 weeks after your last dose helps lower risk! Treated with hormone therapies that work by lowering the level of estrogen your body to ovulation...