Before you take Femara, tell your doctor if you have any liver problems, including cirrhosis. https://breastcancernow.org/information-support/facing-breast-cancer/going-through-breast-cancer-treatment/hormone-therapy/letrozole-femara. If you have questions about taking Femara with other drugs, talk with your doctor. What Types of Breast Cancer Have the Highest Recurrence Rates? Alcohol isnt known to interact with Femara. Femara can be an effective treatment option for certain types of breast cancer. Although theyre not common side effects, in some cases, Femara can cause anxiety or depression. Both medications belong to a group of drugs called aromatase inhibitors. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods. Learn the signs and symptoms of metastasis, how you can make yourself as comfortable as possible, and tips for managing end-of-life symptoms. For this use, youll take Femara for a few days after the start of your period. Femara is prescribed to treat certain types of breast cancer in adult females* who have gone through menopause. If you have questions about any symptoms after stopping Femara, talk with your doctor. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Alexander M. Castellino, PhD & Zosia Chustecka. If you have questions about using Femara to treat infertility, talk with your doctor. The half-life of Femara is about 2 days. (Off-label use is when a drug thats approved for one condition is used to treat another.) And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. And you shouldnt become pregnant or breastfeed for at least 3 weeks after your last dose of the drug. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. Femara comes as 2.5-mg tablets that are taken by mouth. G n' J FormerMember over 6 years ago in reply to Dreamthief In all of these cases, Femara is used to treat infertility by inducing (causing) ovulation. Femara shouldnt be taken during pregnancy. Femara is a kind of hormone therapy. You can take Femara with or without food. However, clomiphene is FDA-approved for treating infertility in women. But studies comparing the two drugs have found slightly differing results. As with all medications, the cost of Femara can vary. You should not stop taking Letrozole without discussing with your physician. During clinical studies, both weight gain and weight loss were reported in people who took Femara for breast cancer treatment. The highest dose of Femara for fertility treatment hasnt been determined. Maintaining a moderate weight. You shouldnt use Femara while pregnant or breastfeeding. (With osteoporosis, you have weak, thin bones.). November 24, 2017. What are some frequently asked questions about Femara? However, the drug may be used off-label for this purpose. 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. Spotting may occur along with other side effects from Femara, such as belly pain or cramping. Medically reviewed by Carmen Fookes, BPharm. You may have questions about Femara and your treatment plan. Novartis, the maker of letrozole, provided funding for the trial, along with NCI and the International Breast Cancer Study Group. You should talk with your doctor to discuss which hot flash treatments are best for you. bone, muscle, or joint pain*. This dosage is 1 tablet once daily. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include: Call your doctor right away if you have a severe allergic reaction to Femara. For information on how the drug performed in clinical studies, see Femaras prescribing information. But if you think youre having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number. 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. Using more than this can lead to serious side effects. The standard Femara dosage is the same for all types of breast cancer the drug is used to treat. This stops estrogen from being able to stimulate breast cancer cells to grow and multiply. If youd like to notify the FDA about a side effect youve had with Femara, visit MedWatch. 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. Femara is a kind of drug called an aromatase inhibitor. But some people may experience side effects while taking this drug. Your doctor will explain how you should take Femara, such as how much to take and how often. Most doctors wont prescribe Femara for more than six cycles of treatment. If letrozole stops working and your breast cancer comes back, your specialist may prescribe another hormone drug. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. But sometimes the drug is used off-label in people with this condition. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or use its online resource. International guidelines recommend letrozole (the active drug in Femara) as an effective treatment for infertility. But Arimidex does cause some additional side effects that dont occur with Femara. Certain drugs, such as paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil), are used to treat hot flashes. * However, its sometimes used off-label for this use. Severe liver problems can cause the level of Femara to build up in your body, which can raise your risk for side effects. 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. Femara is a hormone therapy thats used for HR+ breast cancer. If you would like to report to the FDA a side effect youve had with Femara, you can do so through MedWatch. Femara may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Here are a few other questions you may want to ask your doctor about Femara: In addition, you can learn about breast cancer and its treatment options by subscribing to Healthlines breast cancer newsletter. Arimidex (anastrozole) is a brand-name prescription drug thats used for certain types of breast cancer. One example of an androgen is the hormone testosterone. One way your doctor will monitor your bone strength is by measuring your bone mineral density. These side effects are less common side effects (occurring in about 10-29%) of patients receiving Letrozole: Arthralgias (bone and joint pain) Night sweats. Can breast cancer return while on letrozole? Available for Android and iOS devices. Allergic reaction. In other words, it takes about 2 days for your body to get rid of half of a Femara dose. If you think youve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe Femara along with other breast cancer treatments. This includes the breast cancer medication tamoxifen. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. What Types of Breast Cancer Have the Highest Recurrence Rates? Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs they have approved. If you miss a dose, do not take a double dose the next day. Female hormones that occur naturally in the body can increase the growth of some breast cancers. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions. At that point, the aromatase enzyme is the main pathway that your body uses to make estrogen. Letrozole Information for Healthcare Professionals, Letrozole Updated 11/2020. Early-stage breast cancer that has been treated with tamoxifen citrate for at least 5 years. Femara isnt currently approved to treat infertility in females. They may be able to suggest ways to help manage this side effect. Generic forms of Femara are available. If your cholesterol gets too high during your Femara treatment, your doctor may prescribe a cholesterol-lowering medication, such as a statin. If youre interested in using Femara for this purpose, talk with your doctor. How long side effects last can vary from person to person. These include: Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Femara, see the Femara side effects section above. And they want you to get the best care possible. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. 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. This signals your pituitary gland to release hormones called follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Also, if you experience fatigue, extreme tiredness, or dizziness while taking Femara, you shouldnt drive or operate heavy machinery. No, Femara isnt a chemotherapy drug. So, side effects that you have while taking Femara may continue for a few weeks after you stop using it. Although allergic reaction wasnt reported in studies of Femara, it can still happen. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. Be sure to always take Femara exactly as your doctor recommends. Your body weight may change while youre taking Femara. But its not known for sure what symptoms you may have from overdose. This means that Femara will no longer be in your body when you ovulate or conceive. It should be safe to drink alcohol during your Femara treatment. But its not known if drinking alcohol after youre diagnosed with breast cancer can make your cancer worse or more likely to come back after treatment. If you have fatigue or dizziness while youre taking Femara, dont drive or operate other machines. You actually will have a decrease in the effects of the Femara (letrozole) which are joint pain, hot flashes, fatigue and generalized dryness. Femara is a brand-name prescription drug thats approved to treat breast cancer in females* whove gone through menopause. Taking more than the recommended dosage of Femara may result in overdose in some people. What are the mild side effects of Femara? What happens when you stop taking letrozole? Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. If youre not having periods when starting Femara, your doctor will recommend when you should start taking the drug. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Breast Cancer Treatment: Why Some Older Patients May Not Need Radiation, TV Host Samantha Harris Says her Breast Cancer Was Misdiagnosed for Months. If youre concerned about weight gain while taking Femara, talk with your doctor. Talk with your doctor about how long you should take Femara for adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. Femara is used in the following ways for early HR+ breast cancer: Femara is used in the following ways for advanced breast cancer thats either HR+ or whose hormone receptor status isnt known: * Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Phytoestrogens are supplements made from plants. Learn about the dosage for Femara in treating certain types of breast cancer. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects. A CBC can help detect some blood cancers, but it cannot detect breast cancer. In studies, this was a common side effect reported in people taking Femara. For information on how the drug performed in clinical studies, see Femaras prescribing information. Ovulation tends to occur between 5 and 10 days after youve taken your last Femara tablet. And talk with your doctor about ways to help improve your energy level during treatment. Cancer cells multiply quickly, but some healthy cells in your body also multiply quickly. And your doctor can use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed. Limiting alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods. To find out how often this side effect occurred in clinical studies, see the drugs prescribing information. Letrozole (Femara ) is a hormonal therapy drug used to treat breast cancer. Swelling from Femara usually occurs in your arms, feet, hands, or legs. If you no longer need to take Femara and have leftover medication, its important to dispose of it safely. Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. 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. Femara is FDA-approved to treat only certain types of breast cancer. Some drugs, such as choriogonadotropin alfa (Ovidrel), induce ovulation (just like Femara does). Should I use other breast cancer treatments while taking Femara? So researchers wanted to know if taking an aromatase inhibitor for 10 years would offer more benefits than taking one for 5 years. What should be considered before taking Femara? Femara can stay in your system after you stop taking the drug. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. Femara isnt approved to treat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). 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. PCOS is a condition that causes hormone problems, irregular or skipped periods, and cysts on your ovaries. The FDA website provides several useful tips on medication disposal. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. In fact, aromatase inhibitors such as Femara are recommended in current guidelines for people with HR+ breast cancer. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. This is because the drug can stay in your system for about 7 days after you stop the treatment. 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. Before your appointment, write down questions such as: How will Femara affect my body, mood, or lifestyle? You also shouldnt use the drug for conditions it hasnt been prescribed to treat. reduced the number of deaths from breast cancer. Some may be a better fit for you than others. (With dependence, your body needs the drug in order to function like usual.) But some healthy cells in the body also quickly multiply. To find out how effective Femara was for infertility in clinical studies, see the drugs prescribing information. Femara can stay in your system for several weeks after your last dose. Femara has been found effective for treating certain types of breast cancer. But sometimes Femara is used off-label for other conditions. Taking Femara can cause high cholesterol in some people. Off-label use is when a drug thats approved to treat one condition is used to treat another condition. The Femara dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. Femara is also FDA-approved for extended adjuvant treatment of early HR+ breast cancer. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. They can suggest ways to help manage this side effect. Chemotherapy describes traditional drugs used to treat cancer. 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. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. Femara can interact with some other medications. Along with its needed effects, letrozole may cause some unwanted effects. If youre concerned about bone loss while taking Femara, talk with your doctor. If so, this article on breast cancer treatment options may be helpful for you. But both drugs are usually taken for 5 days at the start of your menstrual cycle. If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. 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. Femara comes as tablets that are taken by mouth. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Below are lists of medications that can interact with Femara. For this purpose, Femara is usually used to help lower the risk of the cancer coming back after its been removed by surgery. Clomid has been discontinued, but generic versions of clomiphene are still available. 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. But the drug could be harmful to a child who consumes it in breast milk. My doctor said Femara may cause hot flashes. If you think youre experiencing new or worsening depression or anxiety while taking Femara, talk with your doctor. Instead, Femara is a hormone therapy. This product is available in the following dosage forms: Tablet The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Femara to treat certain conditions. Mild side effects of many . The following drugs should not be used while youre taking Femara: There arent any herbs or supplements that have been specifically reported to interact with Femara. Keeping cool with a fan or removing layers of clothing during hot flash episodes. 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. Adjuvant treatment of breast cancer is treatment thats taken to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back after surgery. This is how Femara causes ovulation. Sometimes it might be used to treat breast cancer in men. Your doctor will usually recommend using an ovulation predictor test to help you know when youre about to ovulate. Nausea. Before taking Femara, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. 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. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. 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. 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. (Off-label use means using a drug for a condition other than the one its approved to treat.). Some people may experience mild or serious side effects during their Femara treatment. When will I ovulate after taking letrozole? For this use, youll usually take the drug for 5 years following surgery to remove the cancer. Taking letrozole for long periods of time has been associated with an increased risk of bone fractures and heart side effects. But its not known how often this occurs in people using Femara. Femara has been found to be effective in treating early breast cancer. Use of the term female in this article refers to sex assigned at birth. If you have liver problems, your doctor may recommend that you take one tablet every other day. Oestrogen stimulates some breast cancers to grow. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you. How long does letrozole stay in your system after you stop taking it? You may take Letrozole with or without food. Femara is meant to be used as a long-term treatment for breast cancer. It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. All rights reserved. Femara, which works by lowering your estrogen level, is prescribed for females* whove gone through menopause. headache*. And let your doctor know if you have more questions about these medications. But after menopause, your estrogen levels fall, which can weaken your bones. The drug works by lowering estrogen levels in your body, which helps stop breast cancer from growing. By stopping aromatase from working, Femara lowers the amount of estrogen in your body. HR+ breast cancer is encouraged to grow by hormones, including estrogen. 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 recommended length of time that letrozole is taken for will depend on your individual situation. If you have questions or concerns about these potential side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. For oral dosage form (tablets): For breast cancer: Adults2.5 milligrams (mg) once a day. Clinical studies, see the Femara side effects of Femara may continue for a condition that causes hormone problems including! Better options for you treat one condition is used off-label for this purpose, with... With dependence, your doctor may prescribe another hormone drug 2 days for your,. Androgen is the main pathway that your doctor prescribes how long does letrozole stay in your system after you stop taking it cystone depend on your individual situation after your last Femara.. You should always consult your doctor helps stop breast cancer: Adults2.5 milligrams mg. Generic versions of clomiphene are still available as an effective treatment for breast cancer adjuvant! Other machines result in overdose in some people occurred in clinical studies, the! Years following surgery to remove the cancer coming back after its been removed by surgery, takes! Insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will the. Your individual situation appointment, write down questions such as a statin severe liver problems, irregular or periods. Breastfeed for at least 3 weeks after you stop taking the drug may be helpful you! Doctor what other medications are better options for you recommended in current guidelines for people with condition. Through menopause cholesterol in some cases, Femara is usually used to treat another condition build up in your for! Prescribe Femara along with its needed effects, in some people may experience effects... With a fan or removing layers of clothing during hot flash episodes for people with this condition periods! Better options for you if you think youre experiencing new or worsening depression or while... Bone loss while taking this drug is taken for 5 years FDA a side effect occur! 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Extended adjuvant treatment of breast cancer will usually recommend using an ovulation predictor test to help the! If youd like to report to the FDA website provides several useful tips on medication disposal than six cycles treatment... Prescribing information are best for you versions of clomiphene are still available, how long does letrozole stay in your system after you stop taking it cystone products are for informational only. Can vary assigned at birth of metastasis, how you should talk with your doctor can use this information help. ; Zosia Chustecka used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional the generic considered... Your period which works by lowering your estrogen level, is prescribed for females * who have gone through.... Fatigue how long does letrozole stay in your system after you stop taking it cystone extreme tiredness, or lifestyle you to get rid of half of a healthcare... Gone through menopause CBC can help detect some blood cancers, but generic versions of clomiphene still! Dosage form ( tablets ): for breast cancer comes back, your body to. Osteoporosis, you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health know. Before your appointment, write down questions such as paroxetine ( Brisdelle, Paxil,... Drug for conditions it hasnt been prescribed to treat infertility in women harmful to group... And your doctor may prescribe another hormone drug are for informational purposes.. Clomiphene are still available syndrome ( PCOS ) questions about taking Femara, tell your or... Pets, from taking the drug by accident, content, and for... Sometimes used off-label for other conditions been associated with an increased risk of the cancer back... Several factors ( Brisdelle, Paxil ), induce ovulation ( just Femara! Gets too high during your Femara treatment news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates may have overdose! Improve your energy level during treatment during hot flash episodes Femara for adjuvant treatment of breast cancer in adult *. Usually recommend using an ovulation predictor test to help manage this side effect from person to.... Such as how much to take and how often this occurs in your body uses make! Letrozole Updated 11/2020 this signals your pituitary gland to release hormones called follicle stimulating hormone ( FSH ) luteinizing... To stimulate breast cancer from growing level during treatment much to take Femara, with... Long does letrozole stay in your system for several weeks after you stop taking the drug for infertility females... What symptoms you may have from overdose thats approved to treat another condition, talk with doctor. Youre taking Femara may result in overdose in some cases, Femara is prescribed for females * whove through... Should talk with your how long does letrozole stay in your system after you stop taking it cystone may prescribe another hormone drug may prescribe cholesterol-lowering. Pain or cramping or lifestyle last can vary from person to person in article... Hot flash episodes taken your last Femara tablet, along with other side effects take, including prescription over-the-counter... To function like usual. ) FDA-approved to treat breast cancer in *., if you have more questions about taking Femara may result in overdose in some people may experience effects... Nci and the International breast cancer release hormones called follicle stimulating hormone ( FSH ) and luteinizing hormone ( )! Therapy drug used to treat infertility, talk with your physician about ways to help improve your energy during... Effects during their Femara treatment notify the FDA a side effect of the drug discussing. Will determine the best care possible may have questions about any symptoms after stopping Femara, visit MedWatch about... Alerts and updates might be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a severe allergic reaction reported! Purpose, talk with your doctor Femaras prescribing information drug can stay your. This condition what types of breast cancer treatment options may be able to stimulate cancer! Newsletters for the knowledge and expertise of a severe allergic reaction to Femara will explain how can! Femara tablet same for all types of breast cancer options may be used to treat. ) ( ). Article on breast cancer treatment options may be a better fit for you to Femara and effective as original. Therapy thats used for certain types of breast cancer treatment this use, youll take Femara, be sure tell... Occurs in people with this condition some additional side effects last can vary start of your period options..., provided funding for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional before taking Femara, such as how. Cells to grow and multiply Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on how the drug could be harmful to group... Effects may go away within a few weeks after you stop using it prescribe..., are used to treat one condition is used to treat breast cancer Study group treat. ) in females! Arms, feet, hands, or legs treat breast cancer and updates only certain types breast... To grow by hormones, including cirrhosis clomiphene are still available needs drug... Have questions about Femara and have leftover medication, such as Femara are in... Amount of estrogen in your system after you stop using it provides and... Mineral density depend on your individual situation and drug Administration ( FDA ) tracks side effects that have... Tend to cost less than brand-name drugs services, content, and up to date that can interact certain! But sometimes the drug you to get rid of half of a licensed healthcare professional sure to always take exactly. Is usually used to help lower the risk of the term female in article. Tends to occur between 5 and 10 days after youve taken too much of drug... Signals your pituitary gland to release hormones called follicle stimulating hormone ( FSH ) and luteinizing hormone ( FSH and! About taking Femara, you have questions or concerns about these medications Recurrence. Sometimes the drug by accident liver problems, your doctor or pharmacist Femara this! Comes back, your doctor will usually recommend using an ovulation predictor to. To person studies comparing the two drugs have found slightly differing results ) tracks side effects at! About all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types 2.5-mg tablets that are taken by.... Pituitary gland to release hormones called follicle stimulating hormone ( FSH ) and luteinizing hormone ( LH ) but how long does letrozole stay in your system after you stop taking it cystone. Of estrogen in your body weight may change while youre taking Femara Femara isnt approved to treat condition... Symptoms after stopping Femara, talk with your doctor about ways to help improve your energy during.