Femara and clomiphene work in slightly different ways in your body to induce ovulation. Chemotherapy describes traditional drugs used to treat cancer. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think youre having a medical emergency. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Breast Cancer Treatment: Why Some Older Patients May Not Need Radiation, TV Host Samantha Harris Says her Breast Cancer Was Misdiagnosed for Months. This is because both animal studies and reports of use by pregnant females* suggest that Femara may cause problems with fetal development (also called birth defects) and miscarriage. Femara is a kind of drug called an aromatase inhibitor. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you. Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. Doing this temporarily lowers your estrogen level. * Its mainly used when infertility is caused by problems with ovulation (the release of eggs from your ovaries). * For more information about using Femara for infertility, see the section Off-label use of Femara for infertility above. What are the more common side effects of Femara? This product is available in the following dosage forms: Tablet Taking more than the recommended dosage of Femara may result in overdose in some people. Your doctor will also advise when you should start having sex if youre trying to conceive (TTC) naturally. One of the possible triggers for this abnormal cell growth is the hormone estrogen. All rights reserved. Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can happen when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on. I was prescribed Letrozole about 6 weeks before my operation, bilateral mastectomy with implants. Learn. Femara induces (causes) ovulation and can increase your chances of becoming pregnant. And because Femara also lowers your estrogen level, the drug can add to this effect. Learn. Stopping Femara isnt known to cause any withdrawal symptoms. Prophylactic mastectomy is surgery to remove breast tissue. How long a medication remains good can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication. Breast cancers that are stimulated by hormones, such as estrogen, are called hormone receptor-positive (HR+). In other words, it takes about 2 days for your body to get rid of half of a Femara dose. But after menopause, your estrogen levels fall, which can weaken your bones. Women with hormone-sensitive breast cancer face years of adjuvant . Femara and clomiphene are both used to stimulate ovulation in females who are having trouble becoming pregnant. This condition is called controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, or superovulation. What are the different types of breast cancer surgery? For information on how the drug performed in clinical studies, see Femaras prescribing information. More specifically, Femara is a type of hormone therapy called an aromatase inhibitor. If youd like to know more about how Femara and Arimidex compare with each other, see this detailed breakdown. So researchers wanted to know if taking an aromatase inhibitor for 10 years would offer more benefits than taking one for 5 years. They can suggest ways to help manage this side effect. . This may happen more often if used for a long time. You may also gain weight if you have swelling, which is another possible side effect of Femara. Letrozole (Femara ) is a hormonal therapy drug used to treat breast cancer. https://www.drugs.com/pro/letrozole.html, Letrozole (Femara) Breast cancer now. 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. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Femara. Learn more. Femara can cause mild or serious side effects. Also, keep in mind that Femara isnt approved to treat breast cancer in females who havent gone through menopause yet. If you have a certain type of breast cancer, your doctor might suggest Femara (letrozole) as a treatment option. If you have questions or concerns about changes in your weight, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Adjuvant treatment of breast cancer is treatment thats taken to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back after surgery. Off-label drug use is when a drug thats approved for one use is used for a different one thats not approved. 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. Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include: A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Most people are given letrozole for 5 years, but some will take it for up to 10 years. If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. The insurance company will review the request and let you and your doctor know if your plan will cover 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 2011 study looked at using doses higher than the current standard dose to treat infertility. You may also be able to ease headaches by applying an ice pack or heating pad to your head. Learn more about some of the side effects that Femara may cause. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article. 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. These drugs affect all the cells in your body that are quickly multiplying (making more cells). Serious side effects are possible from taking Femara. One thing that may help is trying to stay as active as possible. To help make sure that you dont miss a dose, try setting a reminder on your phone. You can also call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use their online tool. Learn about side effects, warnings, dosage. When you take the drug, it stops androgens in your body from converting into estrogen. How to Use Letrozole for Fertility Femara (letrozole) is offered in 2.5-milligram yellow, film-coated tablets. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Femaras prescribing information. Femara is also FDA-approved for extended adjuvant treatment of early HR+ breast cancer. Keeping cool with a fan or removing layers of clothing during hot flash episodes. The standard Femara dosage is the same for all types of breast cancer the drug is used to treat. Those that have been reported with Femara include: To learn more about each of these side effects, see Side effects explained below. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Also, if you experience fatigue, extreme tiredness, or dizziness while taking Femara, you shouldnt drive or operate heavy machinery. In addition, drugs and other products that contain estrogen, such as vaginal creams, may decrease the effects of Femara. Before taking Femara, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. But a generic version called clomiphene is available. There's no way to completely predict or prevent breast cancer. But this side effect wasnt reported in studies. What should I know about Femara vs. Arimidex? Your body weight may change while youre taking Femara. A medication timer may be useful, too. Allergic reaction. Melatonin and Breast Cancer: Is it Safe and Can it Help? If your doctor confirms that you had a mild allergic reaction to Femara, theyll decide if you should continue taking it. Letrozole is typically taken once a day for five days. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use. Such drinks and foods may worsen hot flashes. Your doctor may ask you to start taking the drug either on day 3 or day 5 of your menstrual cycle. Femara is sometimes used off-label for this purpose in females* who havent had success with other endometriosis treatments. Letrozole Information for Healthcare Professionals, Letrozole Updated 11/2020. Another 2019 review of studies found Femara and clomiphene to be similarly effective in treating unexplained infertility. If youve had an allergic reaction to Femara or any of its ingredients, you shouldnt take Femara. 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). For more information about using Femara for infertility, see the section Off-label use of Femara for infertility above. 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). Headaches were a common side effect in studies of Femara. Femara will start working soon after you start taking it. Call your doctor right away if you have serious 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. Most doctors wont prescribe Femara for more than six cycles of treatment. Femara comes as tablets that you take by mouth. This dosage is 1 tablet once daily. After menopause, your body produces less estrogen, which can weaken your bones. And let your doctor know if you have more questions about these medications. Femara is approved to treat certain types of early and advanced breast cancer. And you should continue to avoid breastfeeding for at least 3 weeks after your last dose of the drug. drug can stay in . This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 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. 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. Femara may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. They may want to prescribe medication to help protect your bones during your Femara treatment. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking letrozole: Less common. Femara is meant to be used as a long-term treatment for breast cancer. 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. Learn more. What should be considered before taking Femara? These hormones stimulate an egg in your ovary to mature and be released from your ovary. why should I stop; would I benefit from stopping; would I benefit from continuing, who would monitor me, etc. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication. But sometimes Femara is used off-label for other conditions. Femara is FDA-approved for adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer thats hormone receptor-positive (HR+). Early-stage breast cancer that has been treated with tamoxifen citrate for at least 5 years. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. If your bones weaken while youre taking Femara, your doctor may prescribe medication to help strengthen them. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. So, side effects that you have while taking Femara may continue for a few weeks after you stop using it. Dont take more Femara than your doctor prescribes. Common side effects can be like menopause symptomsand include hot flushes, difficulty sleeping, tiredness and low mood. Your doctor will help you to weigh potential risks and benefits of taking Femara for a long period of time. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Its possible that any side effect of Femara may last throughout your treatment. And talk with your doctor about ways to help improve your energy level during treatment. Weight gain. Coming off letrozole. It works by lowering the level of estrogen in your body. How do Femaras side effects compare with those of other cancer drugs? Osteoporosis. (Enzymes help chemical reactions in your body to happen.). You may take Letrozole with or without food. Some drugs, such as choriogonadotropin alfa (Ovidrel), induce ovulation (just like Femara does). Both medications belong to a group of drugs called aromatase inhibitors. This condition can become very painful and may lead to infertility in some people. Both Femara and clomiphene may be prescribed to treat female* infertility. You may have questions about Femara and your treatment plan. For hot flashes, you should first try to relieve symptoms through lifestyle changes. Female hormones that occur naturally in the body can increase the growth of some breast cancers. Bring someone with you to your appointment if doing so will help you feel more comfortable. Should I use other breast cancer treatments while taking Femara? So, dont be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment. Clomid was a brand-name drug thats no longer available. If your doctor thinks Femara has stopped working for you, talk with them about whether stopping treatment could be beneficial for you. In this case, stopping Femara can sometimes improve your breast cancer, rather than causing side effects. was on it for 10 years!!! Femara isnt approved to treat endometriosis. They both do the same job but Anastrozole is the more similar tablet so could well have similar side effects - You could ask about the Exemestane which I think are steroid based ? This means that chemotherapy can affect both cancer cells and healthy cells. The recommended length of time that letrozole is taken for will depend on your individual situation. During clinical studies, both weight gain and weight loss were reported in people who took Femara for breast cancer treatment. This stops estrogen from being able to stimulate breast cancer cells to grow and multiply. More specifically, Femara is a type of hormone therapy called an aromatase inhibitor. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Some people may have an allergic reaction to Femara. It works by lowering the amount of estrogen your body makes. For breast cancer treatment, youll usually take Femara once each day. However, this particular treatment approach isnt right for everyone. Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. Femara can interact with some other medications. Spotting may occur with Femara use. About 90% of radiolabeled letrozole is recovered in urine. Plasma concentrations at steady state are 1.5 to 2 times higher than predicted from the concentrations measured after a single dose, indicating a slight non-linearity in the Your doctor will order blood tests to check your cholesterol levels before you begin taking Femara and during your treatment. * In this article, we use the term female to refer to someones sex assigned at birth. Femara may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. How does Arimidex work? In studies, increased cholesterol levels were one of the most common side effects among people taking Femara. 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. 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. But serious side effects are more likely to last longer. I had no radiotherapy or chemotherapy. And ovulation problems commonly happen because of a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). And there are other drugs used to treat infertility that do other things in your body. Will my breast cancer come back after I stop Femara treatment? Mild side effects of Femara can usually go away within a few days or a couple weeks. Do I have a higher risk for side effects than other people taking Femara. If youre concerned about hair loss while taking Femara, talk with your doctor. Hot flashes. All rights reserved. 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. In any case, your doctor will recommend how long to keep taking Femara. Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think youre having a medical emergency. For advanced breast cancer, Femara is primarily used for breast cancer thats known to be HR+. (A drug class is a group of medications that work in a similar way.). Taking medications, vaccines, foods, and other things with a certain drug can affect how the drug works. 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 think you could be pregnant or have pregnancy symptoms, tell your doctor before you start taking Femara. They shouldnt be crushed, split, or chewed. Femara isnt approved to treat infertility in males. Here are some common questions about taking Femara tablets. Pet and bone scans show no metastatic activity (again, so far) so fingers crossed it keeps working. These and other important considerations are discussed in more detail below. Stretching and low-impact exercise such as walking can help keep your joints and muscles from aching. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. Arimidex (anastrozole) is a brand-name prescription drug thats used for certain types of breast cancer. headache*. Below youll find answers to some frequently asked questions about Femaras side effects. You should talk with your doctor to discuss which hot flash treatments are best for you. Femara is classified as an aromatase inhibitor. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. If youd like to know more about treatment options for infertility, talk with your doctor. * In this article, we use the term female to refer to someones sex assigned at birth. The FDA website provides several useful tips on medication disposal. A CBC can help detect some blood cancers, but it cannot detect breast cancer. Or if youre using IUI, you doctor will recommend when you should go into the clinic for artificial insemination. Can Breast Cancer Be Detected in a Complete Blood Count (CBC)? * Sex and gender exist on spectrums. You shouldnt use Femara while pregnant or breastfeeding. Off-label use is when a drug thats approved to treat one condition is used to treat a different condition. Hi Dancey, i came across your post because I just stopped taking letrozole. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. It should be safe to drink alcohol during your Femara treatment. However, if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room. When used for this purpose, Femara helps lower the risk of your cancer coming back. Weight gain was a common side effect in studies of Femara. But make sure you talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medications with Femara. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. Femara works by stopping the enzyme (type of protein) called aromatase from working like usual. You actually will have a decrease in the effects of the Femara (letrozole) which are joint pain, hot flashes, fatigue and generalized dryness. If your doctor gives you the OK, here's a gentle routine to try. For more information about using Femara to treat infertility, see the section Off-label use of Femara for infertility above. For more information about Femara, including details about the types of breast cancer it treats, see this in-depth article on the drug. This allows them to monitor how strong your bones are. This is because the drug can stay in your system for about 7 days after you stop the treatment. Femara can cause problems with fetal development (also called birth defects) and miscarriage if its taken during pregnancy. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. Learn how CBCs are used in the treatment of breast cancer. Femara shouldnt be taken during pregnancy. Serious side effects from Femara arent common, but they can occur. In addition to the uses listed above, Femara may be used off-label. If you develop serious side effects while taking Femara, call your doctor right away. You should take Letrozole at about the same time each day. 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. You should not stop taking Letrozole without discussing with your physician. If you drink alcohol and youre concerned about how this might affect your condition, talk with your doctor. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. 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 is also used off-label to treat infertility. These side effects are less common side effects (occurring in about 10-29%) of patients receiving Letrozole: Arthralgias (bone and joint pain) Night sweats. If youd like to know about using Femara for this purpose, talk with your doctor. Heres a list of some of the mild side effects that Femara can cause. If youre concerned about side effects you may experience when ending your Femara treatment, talk with your doctor. These lists do not contain all the drugs that may interact with Femara. You can take Femara at any time of day. Your bones rely on estrogen to keep them strong. Some people whove taken Femara have also benefited from complementary treatments, such as acupuncture and massage. If youre concerned about how Femara might affect your cholesterol levels, talk with your doctor. Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. Its meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. However, the drug may be used off-label for this purpose. For this use, youll usually take the drug for 5 years following surgery to remove the cancer. . For details about how side effects for these drugs compare, see the Arimidex vs. letrozole section of this article. Letrozole is a pill, taken by mouth. This drug may cause weak bones. If you think youve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. Read on to learn how to take Femara, what its uses and side effects are, and more. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe Femara after youve taken tamoxifen for your cancer for at least 5 years. It works by killing cells in your body that multiply quickly. What Types of Breast Cancer Have the Highest Recurrence Rates? But if they become more severe or dont go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. 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. When you get Femara from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the bottle. If you have breast cancer, you may be wondering if it's safe to practice yoga. The highest dose of Femara for fertility treatment hasnt been determined. This also includes the release of bisphosphonates from bone surfaces that end up in the bloodstream, because they can't attach themselves to the bone cells and are simply unused. Swelling caused by Femara typically occurs in your arms, feet, hands, or legs. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. If you no longer need to take Femara and have leftover medication, its important to dispose of it safely. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. * However, the drug may be used off-label for this purpose. 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. Limiting alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods. You can do this for about 10 minutes a few times each day. If you have liver problems, your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage of Femara for you. Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Learn the signs and symptoms of metastasis, how you can make yourself as comfortable as possible, and tips for managing end-of-life symptoms. Femara is used off-label for this purpose. Your doctor will usually recommend using an ovulation predictor test to help you know when youre about to ovulate. This is how Femara causes ovulation. Its used to treat the following types of cancer: Femara comes as a tablet you take by mouth once per day. Femara is used to lower the risk of the cancer coming back. Below are lists of medications that can interact with Femara. A 2019 review of studies also found Femara to be more effective than clomiphene in treating infertility in females* with PCOS. But both drugs are usually taken for 5 days at the start of your menstrual cycle. reduced the number of deaths from breast cancer. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or use its online resource. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? But its not known how often this occurs in people using Femara. However, clomiphene is FDA-approved for treating infertility in women. High cholesterol. Femara comes as 2.5-mg tablets that are taken by mouth. What are some frequently asked questions about Femara? Some people start taking letrozole after a few years of taking the hormone therapy drug tamoxifen . (Off-label use means using a drug for a condition other than the one its approved to treat.). This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. Femara tablets should be stored at room temperature (77F/25C) in a tightly sealed container. You can also ask your pharmacist for information on how to dispose of your medication.

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