What is Letrozole?

Letrozole is prescribed for treating early breast cancer in women who have experienced menopause or had other treatments like radiation or surgery to remove tumors.

This medicine also treats early breast cancer in women who have experienced menopause & already been treated with the medicine Tamoxifen for 5 years.

It is also recommended for women who have experienced menopause as a first treatment for breast cancer that has spread in breast or to other areas of body.

Doctors give this medication to women whose breast cancer has become worse due to Tamoxifen pill.

This medicine comes in tablet form and is available under brand name Femara.

It is effective in slowing down or stopping your breast cancer cells from growing and spreading.

You can save on letrozole cost by ordering it from a licensed online pharmacy that offers great discounts and deals.

Letrozole uses

Letrozole is used for:

• Treatment of breast cancer
• Therapy for anovulation-induced infertility

How does Letrozole work in your body?

As an aromatase inhibitor, letrozole is a member of the drug class. It works by reducing amount of estrogen produced in body.

This decrease in estrogen can slow down or stop growth of some breast cancers which require estrogen to grow.

This medicine is useful in infertility as it increases release of certain hormones to stimulate release of eggs from ovaries.

How to take Letrozole?

The recommended dose is letrozole 2.5 mg once daily with or without food as directed by a doctor.

Patients suffering from serious liver impairment must receive only 2.5mg every other day.

Before starting treatment with Letrozole, it is necessary to read patient information leaflet provided with medicine itself.

If there is any confusion about the medicine or letrozole dosage then discuss with your doctor once.

You must take your medicine at regular intervals. Refrain from taking your medication more frequently than directed.

Dosage of letrozole is based on your medical condition, age, and response to treatment.

To attain maximum benefit from this medicine, make sure to use it regularly.

To help you remember, it is advised to take Letrozole at same time every day.

As this medication might get absorbed through skin and lungs, women who are pregnant must not handle this drug or breathe dust from tablets.

In case, your condition gets worse like you get new breast lumps then let your doctor know promptly.

Do not share this medicine with others even if he/she suffers from similar symptoms as yours.

Lab or medical tests such as liver function, bone density tests & cholesterol levels must be done when taking Letrozole.

It is necessary to keep all lab and medical appointments. Share them with doctor.

Intake of this medicine can increase risk of suffering bone loss or osteoporosis. Discuss your risk with doctor and available treatments for osteoporosis.

Lifestyle changes that decrease risk of bone loss include getting proper calcium & vitamin D, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol.

• Missed dose

In case, you miss a dose of Letrozole then take it as soon as you remember. However, skip missed doses if its already time for next dosage.

It is necessary to take your next dosage at regular times. To catch up on missed doses, do not double your dosage.

• Overdose

In case, you have overdosed and suffer from serious symptoms like trouble breathing or passing out then meet a doctor right away.

Precautions and warnings for Letrozole

Before you take Letrozole, inform your doctor if you are allergic to it or to anastrozole or have any other allergies.

You may get allergic reactions or other issues if this medication contains inactive components.

Before you start using this medicine, inform doctor about your medical history, especially of:

• High blood fats or cholesterol
• Bone disorders like osteoporosis & osteopenia
• Stroke or blood clots
• Heart disorders such as heart failure, chest pain, or heart attack
• Liver problems
• High blood pressure
• Kidney disorders

This medicine can make you feel dizzy or tired or blur your vision. Consumption of alcohol can make you more tired or dizzy.

Do not drive, use heavy machines, or do anything that demands alertness unless you can do it safely.

Before undergoing any surgery, inform doctor about your treatment with this medicine.

This medicine might not be used during pregnancy as it can harm an unborn baby.

Letrozole tablet is used mainly in women after menopause. In case, you have recently gone through menopause then discuss about reliable birth control.

You must use reliable birth control while taking this pill and for 3 weeks after stopping treatment.

Strictly avoid using birth control products that contain estrogen.

Whether this medication enters breast milk is a mystery. Breastfeeding should be avoided while using Letrozole and for 3 weeks after last dose.

Side effects of Letrozole

Like other medicines, Letrozole can also cause some minor and major side effects.

Hot flashes, bone pain, diarrhea, hair loss, dizziness, tiredness, trouble sleeping, and nausea are some common side effects of this medicine.

Remember doctor has prescribed this medicine because he/she has judged that its benefits are greater than side effects.

Inform doctor right away if you suffer from any serious side effects such as vomiting, bone fractures, mental/mood changes, dark urine, and blurred vision.

Also, this medicine might rarely cause severe problems from blood clots like heart attack or stroke.

There may be more side effects than those listed here. In case, you notice other effects then contact a doctor immediately.

Interactions

Drug interactions might change how your medicine works or increase risk of experiencing serious side effects.

Keep a list of all products you use including herbal supplements, prescription & non-prescription medicines.

Without approval from a doctor, do not start, stop, or change dosage of any medicines.

During treatment with Letrozole, avoid taking following medicines:

• Tamoxifen
• Androstenedione
• Prasterone

Storage

Keep this medication out of direct sunlight and moisture and store it at room temperature.

Make sure you keep letrozole away from pets and children.

Frequently asked questions about Letrozole (FAQs)

• When Letrozole is prescribed?

Letrozole is an aromatase inhibitor that is prescribed to treat breast cancer in women.

Women who do not have periods due to menopause or after surgery or chemotherapy can take this medicine to treat breast cancer.

It is also helpful in treating infertility that is caused due to anovulation.

• For how long do I need to take Letrozole?

If your breast tumor is in advanced stage or has spread to other parts of body then take femara-letrozole unless tumor shows progression.

In cases where this medicine is given after Tamoxifen or surgery then it should be taken for 5 years or until your tumor comes back.

Doctor might also recommend letrozole 2.5 mg as a sequential treatment, 2 years of Letrozole followed by 3 years of Tamoxifen.

• Can Letrozole affect my vision?

Although it is very uncommon but intake of this medication can cause cataracts.

In case, you suffer from blurred vision or eye irritation then consult a doctor immediately.

• If I am taking Irbesartan to control my blood pressure, can I also take Femara pills?

Yes, you can take Irbesartan and Letrozole together if recommended by your doctor.

But you need to be careful and keep a regular check on blood pressure as Letrozole can sometimes increase blood pressure.

If you have problems controlling your blood pressure then consult a doctor once.

• Does Letrozole cause bone loss problems?

Letrozole might cause thinning or wasting of your bones due to a decrease in estrogen levels in body.

A doctor might decide to measure your bone density before, during, and after treatment with this medicine.

• How much time does letrozole remain in your body?

After you stop treatment with Letrozole, this medicine stays in your system for 7 days.