They shouldnt be crushed, split, or chewed. Also, if you experience fatigue, extreme tiredness, or dizziness while taking Femara, you shouldnt drive or operate heavy machinery. Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion: Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. You shouldnt use Femara while pregnant or breastfeeding. What should I know about Femara vs. Arimidex? Stopping Femara isnt known to cause any withdrawal symptoms. These lists do not include all possible side effects. If youre concerned about hair loss while taking Femara, talk with your doctor. Factors to consider include those in the list below. Femara contains the active drug letrozole and is available as a generic drug called letrozole. International guidelines recommend letrozole (the active drug in Femara) as an effective treatment for infertility. But because most breast cancers are HR+, Femara can also be used to treat advanced breast cancer whose HR status isnt known. 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. If you need financial support to pay for Femara, help is available. 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--. Some people taking Femara may experience weight gain. Femara is a hormone therapy thats approved to treat certain forms of breast cancer in females* whove gone through menopause. Its meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. High cholesterol. Breast Cancer Treatment: Why Some Older Patients May Not Need Radiation, TV Host Samantha Harris Says her Breast Cancer Was Misdiagnosed for Months. Chemotherapy describes traditional drugs used to treat cancer. They may be able to suggest ways may help improve your energy level during your treatment. Femara induces (causes) ovulation and can increase your chances of becoming pregnant. And the drug doesnt need to be stopped gradually to prevent side effects from occurring. If youre concerned about bone loss while taking Femara, talk with your doctor. 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. For breast cancer treatment, youll usually take Femara once each day. As with all medications, the cost of Femara can vary. Different interactions can cause different effects. 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. Learn about the dosage for Femara in treating certain types of breast cancer. The usual dosage of Femara for breast cancer treatment is one tablet taken by mouth once each day. Whether Femara or clomiphene is more effective for you may depend on the cause of your infertility. But after menopause, your estrogen levels fall, which can weaken your bones. Breast cancers that are stimulated by hormones, such as estrogen, are called hormone receptor-positive (HR+). Learn more. Taking medications, vaccines, foods, and other things with a certain drug can affect how the drug works. G n' J FormerMember over 6 years ago in reply to Dreamthief Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think youre having a medical emergency. You may want to ask about other treatments for breast cancer. If youd like to know about using Femara for these purposes, talk with your doctor. It works by stopping an enzyme (type of protein) called aromatase from working as usual. However, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Femara contains the active drug letrozole, while Clomid contains the active drug clomiphene. If youre already ovulating before taking Femara, the drug may cause more eggs than usual to mature and be released from your ovaries. Its not chemotherapy, which is a type of cancer drug that most commonly causes hair loss. The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid using expired medications. No, Femara isnt a chemotherapy drug. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Femara. 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. One way your doctor will monitor your bone strength is by measuring your bone mineral density. 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. Femara induces (causes) ovulation and can increase your chances of becoming pregnant. Off-label use is when a drug thats approved to treat one condition is used to treat another condition. Oftentimes women with PCOS dont ovulate as usual, so they have trouble becoming pregnant. (Off-label use means using a drug for a condition other than the one its approved to treat.). Before taking Femara, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. Femara is used off-label to treat infertility in females. For more information on the possible side effects of Femara, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. It is usually used when you have been through a natural menopause. They may be able to suggest ways to help manage this side effect. Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Theyre sometimes used by some women to help manage menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes. Femara may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. A generic drug is an exact copy of a brand-name medication. What can I do to help relieve this side effect? Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include: If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. Many drugs are available to treat infertility. You should also talk with them if youre breastfeeding or considering breastfeeding. However, this particular treatment approach isnt right for everyone. Some research from 2011 showed that Femara can help manage pain related to endometriosis. But Arimidex does cause some additional side effects that dont occur with Femara. Its important to discuss all of your concerns with your doctor. How long side effects last can vary from person to person. What are the more common side effects of Femara? Available for Android and iOS devices. Most people will take Femara to treat their breast cancer for at least 5 years. Mild side effects of many . Learn more about some of the side effects that Femara may cause. Femara comes as 2.5-mg tablets that are taken by mouth. Breast Cancer Treatment: Why Some Older Patients May Not Need Radiation, TV Host Samantha Harris Says her Breast Cancer Was Misdiagnosed for Months. They can recommend you how much alcohol is safe for you to drink during Femara treatment. If you develop serious side effects while taking Femara, call your doctor right away. Learn how CBCs are used in the treatment of breast cancer. If youre breastfeeding, talk with your doctor before you start taking Femara. See the sections Femara for advanced breast cancer and Femara for adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer below for more information. Learn the signs and symptoms of metastasis, how you can make yourself as comfortable as possible, and tips for managing end-of-life symptoms. Serious side effects from Femara can occur, but they arent common. If you have more questions about how Femara and clomiphene are alike and different, talk with your doctor. Those that have been reported with Femara include: To learn more about each of these side effects, see Side effects explained below. To help make sure that you dont miss a dose, try setting a reminder on your phone. Because these drugs work in the same way, their side effects are very similar. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. These cancers can be treated with hormone therapies that work by lowering estrogen levels in your body. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Femara can weaken your bones, which may cause new or worsened osteoporosis. Alcohol isnt known to interact with Femara. PCOS is a condition that causes hormone problems, irregular or skipped periods, and cysts on your ovaries. In addition, a small study found that Femara may be effective in treating infertility in men who have both obesity and low testosterone levels. This is because drinking a lot of alcohol can increase your risk of osteoporosis, which is already increased by the drug. This condition can become very painful and may lead to infertility in some people. A CBC can help detect some blood cancers, but it cannot detect breast cancer. The growth of many cancers of the breast is stimulated or maintained by estrogens. But sometimes Femara is used off-label for other conditions. With endometriosis, tissue thats similar to the tissue lining your uterus grows in other parts of your body. How do Femaras side effects compare with those of other cancer drugs? For details about how side effects for these drugs compare, see the Arimidex vs. letrozole section of this article. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. Some people may have an allergic reaction to Femara. Below are examples of off-label uses for Femara. Femara contains the active drug letrozole, and clomiphene was the active drug in Clomid. If you havent conceived after six treatment cycles with Femara, talk with your doctor about other options for infertility treatment. Letrozole may be used: They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects. Femara can interact with some other medications. Below youll find answers to some frequently asked questions about Femaras side effects. Femara can stay in your system for several weeks after your last dose. If your doctor confirms that you had a mild allergic reaction to Femara, theyll decide if you should continue taking it. In fact, aromatase inhibitors such as Femara are recommended in current guidelines for people with HR+ breast cancer. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. You may take Letrozole with or without food. This was common in clinical studies of the drug. If you have questions about using Femara for breast cancer, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. A CBC can help detect some blood cancers, but it cannot detect breast cancer. All rights reserved. Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Ovulation tends to occur between 5 and 10 days after youve taken your last Femara tablet. If you have liver problems, your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage of Femara for you. Both medications belong to a group of drugs called aromatase inhibitors. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Based on when your period begins, your doctor will advise you when to start treatment. Femara is meant to be used as a long-term treatment for breast cancer. They can help determine if you should keep taking Femara or switch to a different treatment. There are also some things you can do to help minimize loss of bone strength while youre taking Femara. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Femara belongs to a group of drugs called aromatase inhibitors. Because of this, you shouldnt breastfeed while youre taking Femara. These hormones stimulate an egg in your ovary to mature and be released from your ovary. A 2014 study found Femara to be more effective than clomiphene in treating infertility in women with PCOS. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think youre having a medical emergency. Weight gain was a common side effect in studies of Femara. 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. Do I have a higher risk for side effects than other people taking Femara. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Pet and bone scans show no metastatic activity (again, so far) so fingers crossed it keeps working. Like most drugs, Femara may cause mild or serious side effects. In all of these cases, Femara is used to treat infertility by inducing (causing) ovulation. Doing this temporarily lowers your estrogen level. Keep reading to learn more. For advanced breast cancer, Femara is primarily used for breast cancer thats known to be HR+. Melatonin and Breast Cancer: Is it Safe and Can it Help? For this use, youll take Femara for a few days after the start of your period. If you miss a dose of Femara, take it as soon as you remember, unless its almost time for your next dose. 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. By stopping aromatase from working, Femara lowers the amount of estrogen in your body. If youre taking Femara, your doctor may want to measure your bone mineral density. Off-label use is when a drug thats approved to treat one condition is used to treat a different condition. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. Before you take Femara, tell your doctor if you have any liver problems, including cirrhosis. Along with its needed effects, letrozole may cause some unwanted effects. The greater the density, the stronger your bones are. In certain situations, if Femara has stopped working for you, your doctor might ask you to stop taking the drug in order to cause a withdrawal response. This response is a hormonal shift thats caused by stopping Femara. (Enzymes help chemical reactions in your body to happen.). And some may be easily managed, too. Letrozole (Femara ) is a hormonal therapy drug used to treat breast cancer. Letrozole works by decreasing the amounts of these hormones in the body. Infertility is often caused by problems with ovulation (when eggs are released from your ovaries). This dosage is 1 tablet once daily. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think youre having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Femara may cause fatigue (lack of energy) in some people. (With dependence, your body needs the drug in order to function like usual.) bone, muscle, or joint pain*. Your doctor will order blood tests to check your cholesterol levels before you begin taking Femara and during your treatment. Bone fracture; breast pain; chest pain If so, this article on breast cancer treatment options may be helpful for you. Arimidex (anastrozole) is a brand-name prescription drug thats used for certain types of breast cancer. How long does letrozole stay in your system after you stop taking it? During clinical studies, both weight gain and weight loss were reported in people who took Femara for breast cancer treatment. Use of the term female in this article refers to sex assigned at birth. Although theyre not common side effects, in some cases, Femara can cause anxiety or depression. Femara is prescribed to treat certain types of breast cancer in adult females* who have gone through menopause. Also, keep in mind that Femara isnt approved to treat breast cancer in females who havent gone through menopause yet. Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. Here are some common questions about taking Femara tablets. You may also be able to ease headaches by applying an ice pack or heating pad to your head. Chemotherapy is a type of cancer drug. Femara can stay in your system for several weeks after your last dose. In other words, it takes about 2 days for your body to get rid of half of a Femara dose. For some people, Femara may cause fatigue or dizziness. What could happen if I become pregnant during my Femara treatment? Side effects usually improve after a few months as your body gets used to the medicine. Most people are given letrozole for 5 years, but some will take it for up to 10 years. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care. Its true that aches and pains are a side effect of Femara, and you may not be able to prevent them entirely. Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on: Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Femara. When will I ovulate after taking letrozole? If you have questions about any symptoms after stopping Femara, talk with your doctor. * Its mainly used when infertility is caused by problems with ovulation (the release of eggs from your ovaries). A medication timer may be useful, too. This use of the drug is called ovulation induction. Letrozole is usually taken for 5 years, but may be recommended for up to 10 years depending on individual circumstances. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. . For this purpose, Femara is used after treatment with another breast cancer drug that blocks. However, stopping Femara treatment isnt known to cause new side effects. 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. And this medication doesnt need to be stopped gradually. 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. It should be safe to drink alcohol during your Femara treatment. Femara tablets come in one strength: 2.5 milligrams (mg). If you miss a dose, do not take a double dose the next day. Then, you can share this information with your doctor. No, Femara isnt a form of chemotherapy. If you have breast cancer, your doctor might prescribe Femara for you. Femara may be used off-label to treat infertility due to PCOS and other causes. Femara shouldnt be taken during pregnancy. 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. Taking Femara can cause high cholesterol in some people. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any herbs or supplement products while youre taking Femara. Some common questions about any symptoms after stopping Femara people are given for... Arent common, take it for up to 10 years depending on many factors certain... Other cancer drugs letrozole stay in your ovary during my Femara treatment clomiphene in treating certain types breast. Which is a brand-name medication your infertility cancers of the side effects, letrozole may be able suggest... Those that have been reported with Femara, talk with your doctor may want ask! 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