If you have questions about whether its safe for you to drive or operate machinery during your treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article. If you have breast cancer, you may be wondering if it's safe to practice yoga. You should talk with your doctor to discuss which hot flash treatments are best for you. But some people may experience side effects while taking this drug. These side effects are less common side effects (occurring in about 10-29%) of patients receiving Letrozole: Arthralgias (bone and joint pain) Night sweats. Do not stop taking letrozole without talking to your treatment team first. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. Spotting may occur with Femara use. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if youre taking tamoxifen or any products that have estrogen in them. Mild side effects of many . Its available in one strength: 2.5 mg. For information on the effectiveness of Femara, see the Femara uses section below. Learn about the dosage for Femara in treating certain types of breast cancer. This is because the drug can stay in your system for about 7 days after you stop the treatment. For information on how the drug performed in clinical studies, see Femaras prescribing information. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication. So, chemotherapy can affect both healthy cells and cancer cells. See Femaras prescribing information for details. Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion: Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. This means that Femara will no longer be in your body when you ovulate or conceive. Also, keep in mind that Femara isnt approved to treat breast cancer in females who havent gone through menopause yet. When you take the drug, it stops androgens in your body from converting into estrogen. Femara can stay in your system after you stop taking the drug. Femara may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. This stops estrogen from being able to stimulate breast cancer cells to grow and multiply. This use of the drug is called ovulation induction. Its possible you may have side effects after stopping Femara treatment. These cancers can be treated with hormone therapies that work by lowering estrogen levels in your body. Medically reviewed by Carmen Fookes, BPharm. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Femaras prescribing information. You will therefore start remaking this hormone. If youre concerned about hair loss while taking Femara, talk with your doctor. What are the mild side effects of Femara? This is because if you havent gotten pregnant after six treatment cycles, its likely that this drug wont work for you. Your doctor may ask you to start taking the drug either on day 3 or day 5 of your menstrual cycle. Femara comes as tablets that are taken by mouth. In this case, stopping Femara can sometimes improve your breast cancer, rather than causing side effects. 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. These lists do not contain all the drugs that may interact with Femara. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking letrozole: Less common. For more information about this use of Femara, see the section Off-label use of Femara for infertility below. But its not known for sure what symptoms you may have from overdose. Keep reading to learn more. The usual dosage of Femara for breast cancer treatment is one tablet taken by mouth once each day. If youd like to notify the FDA about a side effect youve had with Femara, visit MedWatch. Taking letrozole for long periods of time has been associated with an increased risk of bone fractures and heart side effects. A hot shower or bath may also provide some headache relief. Femara can interact with several types of drugs. For more information about using Femara for infertility, see the section Off-label use of Femara for infertility above. Your doctor will also advise when you should start having sex if youre trying to conceive (TTC) naturally. ChildrenUse and dose must be determined by your doctor. For this purpose, tamoxifen must have been used for at least 5 years. This enzyme is the main way that your body makes estrogen after youve gone through menopause. Weight gain was a common side effect in studies of Femara. Breast Cancer Treatment: Why Some Older Patients May Not Need Radiation, TV Host Samantha Harris Says her Breast Cancer Was Misdiagnosed for Months. This helps stop breast cancer from growing. Femara can decrease bone mineral density in some people. Taking Femara can cause high cholesterol in some people. If youre taking Femara, your doctor may want to measure your bone mineral density. For details about how side effects for these drugs compare, see the Arimidex vs. letrozole section of this article. Although allergic reaction wasnt reported in studies of Femara, it can still happen. Letrozole is a pill, taken by mouth. Femara can weaken your bones, which may cause new or worsened osteoporosis. (Off-label use means using a drug for a condition other than the one its approved to treat.). (Letrozole is the active drug in Femara.) 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. It should be safe to drink alcohol during your Femara treatment. Its a type of drug called an aromatase inhibitor. How long a medication remains good can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication. Femara isnt approved to treat endometriosis. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think youre having a medical emergency. But a generic version called clomiphene is available. 1 Some fertility experts recommend taking the pills on days 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of your cycle. Letrozole is typically taken once a day for five days. And you should continue to avoid breastfeeding for at least 3 weeks after your last dose of the drug. reduces the risk of a new breast cancer . If youd like to know more about treatment options for infertility, talk with your doctor. Both Femara and Arimidex belong to a group of drugs called aromatase inhibitors. To help make sure that you dont miss a dose, try setting a reminder on your phone. And because Femara also lowers your estrogen level, the drug can add to this effect. Femara is a type of hormone therapy used to treat breast cancer. 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 try to take it around the same time on each of the 5 days that youre taking the drug. This is especially helpful when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments. Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. You may want to ask about other treatments for breast cancer. 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. Breast cancer occurs when breast cells grow rapidly and out of control. Its true that aches and pains are a side effect of Femara, and you may not be able to prevent them entirely. A medication timer may be useful, too. Breast cancer develops when cells in your breast tissue start to grow and multiply more quickly than usual. It only has these risks if its taken when youre already pregnant. Its typically used in combination with a progestin hormone for this use. Letrozole may be used: In studies, this was a common side effect reported in people taking the drug. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Femara may cause. No, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasnt approved Femara for use in bodybuilding. Femara is a prescription drug used in adult females* whove gone through menopause. Clomiphene is approved to treat infertility in females. Serious side effects are possible from taking Femara. You can also ask your pharmacist for information on how to dispose of your medication. Some people may experience mild or serious side effects during their Femara treatment. After youve gone through menopause, your ovaries no longer produce estrogen. You should take Letrozole at about the same time each day. Femara is FDA-approved for adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer thats hormone receptor-positive (HR+). Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. For hot flashes, you should first try to relieve symptoms through lifestyle changes. 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. Its possible that you may continue to have side effects from Femara even after you stop taking it. The drugs work by lowering estrogen levels in your body, which helps stop breast cancer from growing. * For more information about using Femara for infertility, see the section Off-label use of Femara for infertility above. If you find the side effects ease within the two weeks they may try you on Anastrozole or even Exemstane. Clomid has been discontinued, but generic versions of clomiphene are still available. (A drug class is a group of medications that work in a similar way.). One thing that may help is trying to stay as active as possible. For more information about using Femara to treat infertility, see the section Off-label use of Femara for infertility above. For oral dosage form (tablets): For breast cancer: Adults2.5 milligrams (mg) once a day. 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. For this use, youll usually take Femara for 5 years after youve already taken tamoxifen for 5 years following surgery to remove the cancer. Lumpectomy and mastectomy are different types of cancer surgery that remove cancer cells from the breast. You may also gain weight if you have swelling, which is another possible side effect of Femara. If you have breast cancer, your doctor might prescribe Femara for you. You shouldnt drive or operate machinery until you know how the drug will affect you. If youd like to know about using Femara for these purposes, talk with your doctor. If your doctor gives you the OK, here's a gentle routine to try. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Femara. This condition can become very painful and may lead to infertility in some people. Not taking letrozole for the recommended time may increase the risk of your breast cancer coming back. Below are examples of off-label uses for Femara. Some research from 2011 showed that Femara can help manage pain related to endometriosis. Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can happen when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on. But try to always stick to the same time each day. If youre interested in finding an alternative to Femara, talk with your doctor. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There are also some steps you can take to help strengthen your bones naturally. 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. Melatonin and Breast Cancer: Is it Safe and Can it Help? * In this article, we use the term female to refer to someones sex assigned at birth. Below are lists of medications that can interact with Femara. What Types of Breast Cancer Have the Highest Recurrence Rates? swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet, swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe, what dosage of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect, how soon after starting that dosage you experienced it, any other medications you were also taking, any other information you feel is important. Femara contains the active drug letrozole, while Clomid contains the active drug clomiphene. More specifically, Femara is a type of hormone therapy called an aromatase inhibitor. 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. High cholesterol. If you have questions about the risks of Femara use in pregnancy, talk with your doctor. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. Call your doctor right away if you have bone pain. Spotting refers to slight vaginal bleeding when you arent having your period. 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. Swelling caused by Femara typically occurs in your arms, feet, hands, or legs. The drug works by lowering estrogen levels in your body, which helps stop breast cancer from growing. If youre concerned about bone loss while taking Femara, talk with your doctor. 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. If you have serious side effects from Femara, call your doctor right away. This may happen more often if used for a long time. Your doctor might ask you to take Femara on either cycle days 3 to 7 or cycle days 5 to 9. Risks of extended treatment to consider may include weakening of your bones or raised cholesterol levels. Cancer cells multiply quickly, but some healthy cells in your body also multiply quickly. Breast cancer cells may form a tumor in the breast and spread to other areas of the body. Its used to treat the following types of cancer: Femara comes as a tablet you take by mouth once per day. And ovulation problems commonly happen because of a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). More specifically, Femara is a type of hormone therapy called an aromatase inhibitor. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. If you would like to report to the FDA a side effect youve had with Femara, you can do so through MedWatch. It works by killing cells in your body that multiply quickly. Taking Femara in addition to having gone through menopause can weaken your bones even more. 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. Before taking Femara, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. (With off-label use, a drug thats approved to treat one condition is used to treat another.). If you have trouble swallowing Femara tablets, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about ways to help make it easier for you to take your medication. PCOS is a condition that causes hormone problems, irregular or skipped periods, and cysts on your ovaries. Femara can stay in your system for several weeks after your last dose. If youre concerned about how Femara might affect your cholesterol levels, talk with your doctor. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think youre having a medical emergency. Femara contains the active drug letrozole and is available as a generic drug called letrozole. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe Femara after youve taken tamoxifen for your cancer for at least 5 years. If you have fatigue or dizziness while youre taking Femara, dont drive or operate other machines. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects. However, the drug may be used off-label for this purpose. Femara isnt approved to treat infertility in males. During clinical studies, both weight gain and weight loss were reported in people who took Femara for breast cancer treatment. What are the different types of breast cancer surgery? It works by lowering the amount of estrogen your body makes. Before taking Femara, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. And your doctor can use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed. As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Femara. 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. Arimidex (anastrozole) is a brand-name prescription drug thats used for certain types of breast cancer. Femara is used to lower the risk of the cancer coming back. These types of therapies stop estrogen from encouraging breast cancer cells to grow. The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication is effective during this time. Allergic reaction. If you have questions or concerns about these potential side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You shouldnt take Femara unless its been prescribed by a healthcare professional. Because of this, you shouldnt breastfeed while youre taking Femara. * Sex and gender exist on spectrums. If you have questions or concerns about this potential side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. * Risk factors for osteoporosis include a family history of the condition, low physical activity, smoking, drinking alcohol, and a diet low in calcium and vitamin D. It should be safe to drink alcohol during your Femara treatment. Phytoestrogens are supplements made from plants. Serious side effects of Femara that have been reported include: Learn more about some of the side effects Femara may cause. Femara can be an effective treatment option for certain types of breast cancer. This drug may cause weak bones. Side effects usually improve after a few months as your body gets used to the medicine. Learn the signs and symptoms of metastasis, how you can make yourself as comfortable as possible, and tips for managing end-of-life symptoms. 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. The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid using expired medications. Femara has been found effective for treating certain types of breast cancer. However, if you think youre having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number. PCOS is a condition that causes hormone problems, irregular or skipped periods, and cysts on your ovaries. Female infertility refers to not being able to become or stay pregnant. 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