Do I have a higher risk for side effects than other people taking Femara. Before your appointment, write down questions such as: How will Femara affect my body, mood, or lifestyle? As with all medications, the cost of Femara can vary. By stopping aromatase from working, Femara lowers the amount of estrogen in your body. However, this particular treatment approach isnt right for everyone. To find out how often this side effect occurred in clinical studies, see the drugs prescribing information. Breast cancer occurs when breast cells grow rapidly and out of control. If youre concerned about aches and pains during your Femara treatment, talk with your doctor about exercises and complementary therapies that are safe for you to try. Although allergic reaction wasnt reported in studies of Femara, it can still happen. Off-label use is when a drug thats approved to treat one condition is used to treat another condition. 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. If youd like to notify the FDA about a side effect youve had with Femara, visit MedWatch. Femara comes as tablets that are taken by mouth. See Femaras prescribing information for details. Can Breast Cancer Be Detected in a Complete Blood Count (CBC)? It is usually used when you have been through a natural menopause. Hi Dancey, i came across your post because I just stopped taking letrozole. (Enzymes help chemical reactions in your body to happen.). You can also find information on the drugs strength, form, and more. One way your doctor will monitor your bone strength is by measuring your bone mineral density. This may happen more often if used for a long time. When you get Femara from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the bottle. You should not become pregnant or breastfeed for at least 3 weeks after your last dose of Femara. If you experience fatigue during your Femara treatment that doesnt go away or thats bothersome, talk with your doctor. They can recommend healthy ways for you to manage your weight. (With off-label use, a drug thats approved to treat one condition is used to treat another.). Over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil), may be effective for relieving headaches. Learn more. The actual price youll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use. However, if you think youre having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number. The Femara dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. Femara is a type of hormone therapy used to treat breast cancer. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can happen when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on. Femara can decrease bone mineral density in some people. Also, if you experience fatigue, extreme tiredness, or dizziness while taking Femara, you shouldnt drive or operate heavy machinery. headache*. How does Arimidex work? Serious side effects are possible from taking Femara. Melatonin and Breast Cancer: Is it Safe and Can it Help? Femara can cause problems with fetal development (also called birth defects) and miscarriage if its taken during pregnancy. This means that chemotherapy can affect both cancer cells and healthy cells. If you drink alcohol and youre concerned about how this might affect your condition, talk with your doctor. Bring someone with you to your appointment if doing so will help you feel more comfortable. But actual success rates of Femara for achieving pregnancy or having live births depend on many factors. Femara contains the drug letrozole. Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Femara. If you have serious side effects from Femara, call your doctor right away. improved overall survival. (Day 1 of your menstrual cycle is the first of your period.) In fact, aromatase inhibitors such as Femara are recommended in current guidelines for people with HR+ breast cancer. For more information about using Femara to treat infertility, see the section Off-label use of Femara for infertility above. The usual dosage of Femara for adjuvant treatment of breast cancer is one tablet taken by mouth once each day. They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be bothersome. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Femara. 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. Learn how CBCs are used in the treatment of breast cancer. If you have questions or concerns about these potential side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. This condition can become very painful and may lead to infertility in some people. Most doctors wont prescribe Femara for more than six cycles of treatment. If you have questions about any symptoms after stopping Femara, talk with your doctor. You will therefore start remaking this hormone. Letrozole is typically taken once a day for five days. Weight gain. 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. If you have more questions about how Femara and clomiphene are alike and different, talk with your doctor. Below are lists of medications that can interact with Femara. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Femara to treat certain conditions. Also, keep in mind that Femara isnt approved to treat breast cancer in females who havent gone through menopause yet. But some healthy cells in the body also quickly multiply. Femara is a kind of drug called an aromatase inhibitor. You may want to ask about other treatments for breast cancer. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Femara may cause. For information on how Femara performed in clinical studies, see the drugs prescribing information. Its a prescription drug thats used to treat certain types of breast cancer in adult females* who have gone through menopause. 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). Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. The drugs work by lowering estrogen levels in your body, which helps stop breast cancer from growing. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe Femara after youve taken tamoxifen for your cancer for at least 5 years. No, Femara isnt a form of chemotherapy. And this medication doesnt need to be stopped gradually. Its a type of drug called an aromatase inhibitor. But if you think youre having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number. But more research is needed to know whether higher doses of Femara are more effective than lower doses. But try to always stick to the same time each day. Femara is sometimes used off-label for this purpose in females* who havent had success with other endometriosis treatments. What are some frequently asked questions about Femara? Its also worth noting that alcohol is known to increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Spotting refers to slight vaginal bleeding when you arent having your period. Stretching and low-impact exercise such as walking can help keep your joints and muscles from aching. 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. At that point, the aromatase enzyme is the main pathway that your body uses to make estrogen. And talk with your doctor about ways to help improve your energy level during treatment. If you have questions about using Femara to treat infertility, talk with your doctor. For more information about Femara, including details about the types of breast cancer it treats, see this in-depth article on the drug. Bone fracture; breast pain; chest pain 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. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. No, Femara isnt a chemotherapy drug. Another 2019 review of studies found Femara and clomiphene to be similarly effective in treating unexplained infertility. You can also visit the Femara manufacturers website to see if there are support options. Most people are given letrozole for 5 years, but some will take it for up to 10 years. For this purpose, tamoxifen must have been used for at least 5 years. And the drug doesnt need to be stopped gradually to prevent side effects from occurring. If you have questions about whether its safe for you to drive or operate machinery during your treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. To help make sure that you dont miss a dose, try setting a reminder on your phone. Your doctor can recommend treatment options other than Femara. No, you likely wont. Can breast cancer return while on letrozole? Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ChildrenUse and dose must be determined by your doctor. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more. 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. You should take Femara according to your doctors or another healthcare professionals instructions. Estrogen helps to keep your bones strong. What Types of Breast Cancer Have the Highest Recurrence Rates? The aromatase enzyme helps make estrogen from other hormones called androgens. This can make your bones weaker and easier to break. If youd like to know about using Femara for this purpose, talk with your doctor. This dosage is 1 tablet once daily. Most side effects of Femara are mild. What happens when you stop taking letrozole? With early breast cancer, the cancer hasnt spread out of either your breast or the lymph nodes in your armpit. Femara can stay in your system after you stop taking the drug. Women with hormone-sensitive breast cancer face years of adjuvant . Some people start taking letrozole after a few years of taking the hormone therapy drug tamoxifen . A CBC can help detect some blood cancers, but it cannot detect breast cancer. Early-stage, hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer that has been treated. Its typically used in combination with a progestin hormone for this use. Many drugs are available to treat infertility. bone, muscle, or joint pain*. Femara isnt currently approved to treat infertility in females. Talk with your doctor if you have bothersome spotting while taking Femara. Femara comes as tablets that you take by mouth. Dont take two doses together to make up for a missed dose. Phytoestrogens are supplements made from plants. You can take your dose at any time of the day. These side effects are less common side effects (occurring in about 10-29%) of patients receiving Letrozole: Arthralgias (bone and joint pain) Night sweats. Femara can interact with several types of drugs. Because of this, you shouldnt breastfeed while youre taking Femara. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Last updated on Sep 27, 2021. All rights reserved. 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. If you need financial support to pay for Femara, help is available. Breast cancers that are stimulated by hormones, such as estrogen, are called hormone receptor-positive (HR+). Femara should not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If youd like to know more about treatment options for infertility, talk with your doctor. was on it for 10 years!!! If youre concerned about side effects from stopping Femara treatment after 5 years, talk with your doctor. Taking letrozole for long periods of time has been associated with an increased risk of bone fractures and heart side effects. However, stopping Femara treatment isnt known to cause new side effects. 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. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Femara. 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