No, you likely wont. It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. You may also be able to ease headaches by applying an ice pack or heating pad to your head. Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with this drug include: In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. Learn. Your doctor may order tests from time to time to check and see if the drug is working for you. Femara and clomiphene work in slightly different ways in your body to induce ovulation. This means that chemotherapy can affect both cancer cells and healthy cells. Prophylactic mastectomy is surgery to remove breast tissue. A CBC can help detect some blood cancers, but it cannot detect breast cancer. Can breast cancer return while on letrozole? https://breastcancernow.org/information-support/facing-breast-cancer/going-through-breast-cancer-treatment/hormone-therapy/letrozole-femara. For hot flashes, you should first try to relieve symptoms through lifestyle changes. Learn how CBCs are used in the treatment of breast cancer. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Femara may cause. If you miss a dose, do not take a double dose the next day. If you have questions about using Femara to treat infertility, talk with your doctor. Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how this drug affects you. And the drug doesnt need to be stopped gradually to prevent side effects from occurring. And your doctor can use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed. https://www.drugs.com/pro/letrozole.html, Letrozole (Femara) Breast cancer now. But studies comparing the two drugs have found slightly differing results. For this purpose, Femara is usually used to help lower the risk of the cancer coming back after its been removed by surgery. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Letrozole is a pill, taken by mouth. . Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. This condition can become very painful and may lead to infertility in some people. Stopping Femara treatment isnt known to cause side effects. It is usually used when you have been through a natural menopause. Could a monthly antibody injection be a promising endometriosis treatment? Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe. Femara is FDA-approved to treat advanced breast cancer thats hormone receptor-positive (HR+). Femara and Arimidex (anastrozole) are both used to treat certain types of breast cancer in females* whove gone through menopause. was on it for 10 years!!! But if they become more severe or dont go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking letrozole: Less common. Femara may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. Keeping cool with a fan or removing layers of clothing during hot flash episodes. You should not become pregnant or breastfeed for at least 3 weeks after your last dose of Femara. 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. The usual dosage of Femara for adjuvant treatment of breast cancer is one tablet taken by mouth once each day. Prophylactic mastectomy is surgery to remove breast tissue. Like most drugs, Femara can cause an allergic reaction in some people. * An allergic reaction is possible after taking Femara. If you have questions about using Femara for breast cancer, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. For information on how Femara performed in clinical studies, see the drugs prescribing information. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. All rights reserved. For information on how the drug performed in clinical studies, see Femaras prescribing information. The FDA website provides several useful tips on medication disposal. Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Novartis, the maker of letrozole, provided funding for the trial, along with NCI and the International Breast Cancer Study Group. Its a hormone therapy for breast cancer. * However, the drug may be used off-label for this purpose. Letrozole is usually taken for 5 years, but may be recommended for up to 10 years depending on individual circumstances. You may have questions about Femara and your treatment plan. This is because the drug can stay in your system for about 7 days after you stop the treatment. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. But serious side effects are more likely to last longer. Femara can stay in your system for several weeks after your last dose. These include: Youre more likely to have success with Femara treatment for infertility if your body isnt already ovulating. Some side effects, such as osteoporosis (weakened bones), will not get better on their own, even after you stop taking Femara. If you have serious side effects from Femara, call your doctor right away. Letrozole Information for Healthcare Professionals, Letrozole Updated 11/2020. There's no way to completely predict or prevent breast cancer. Melatonin and Breast Cancer: Is it Safe and Can it Help? And dont stop taking Femara unless your doctor recommends it. Sometimes your doctor may recommend that you take a higher dosage of Femara, such as 5 mg or 7.5 mg daily for 5 days. Generic forms of Femara are available. You can take Femara at any time of day. If your doctor thinks Femara has stopped working for you, talk with them about whether stopping treatment could be beneficial for you. No, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasnt approved Femara for use in bodybuilding. 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. 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. What happens when you stop taking letrozole? If you have questions about taking Femara with other drugs, talk with your doctor. Liver problems. Nausea. When you take Femara to induce (cause) ovulation, the drug is cleared from your body within several days after youve stopped taking it. This can make your bones weaker and easier to break. * Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Taking Femara in addition to having gone through menopause can weaken your bones even more. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Femara. Femara belongs to a group of drugs called aromatase inhibitors. * Risk factors for osteoporosis include a family history of the condition, low physical activity, smoking, drinking alcohol, and a diet low in calcium and vitamin D. It should be safe to drink alcohol during your Femara treatment. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe Femara after youve taken tamoxifen for your cancer for at least 5 years. However, the drug may be used off-label for this purpose. If you think you could be pregnant or have pregnancy symptoms, tell your doctor before you start taking Femara. Before taking Femara, talk with your doctor about your health history. Should I use other breast cancer treatments while taking Femara? Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs they have approved. Certain drugs, such as paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil), are used to treat hot flashes. Will my breast cancer come back after I stop Femara treatment? Melatonin and Breast Cancer: Is it Safe and Can it Help? bone, muscle, or joint pain*. If you have a certain type of breast cancer, your doctor might suggest Femara (letrozole) as a treatment option. But sometimes the drug is used off-label to treat infertility in females* with PCOS. Letrozole is typically taken once a day for five days. Women with hormone-sensitive breast cancer face years of adjuvant . Because of this, you shouldnt breastfeed while youre taking Femara. Swelling caused by Femara typically occurs in your arms, feet, hands, or legs. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. However, this particular treatment approach isnt right for everyone. Your doctor will help you to weigh potential risks and benefits of taking Femara for a long period of time. The drugs work by lowering estrogen levels in your body, which helps stop breast cancer from growing. Talk with your doctor if you have bothersome spotting while taking Femara. This is because drinking a lot of alcohol can increase your risk of osteoporosis, which is already increased by the drug. Learn about side effects, warnings, dosage. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. Femara may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. For oral dosage form (tablets): For breast cancer: Adults2.5 milligrams (mg) once a day. In addition to the uses listed above, Femara may be used off-label. Swelling from Femara usually occurs in your arms, feet, hands, or legs. * Sex and gender exist on spectrums. When is the best time of day to take letrozole? As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Femara. They work by lowering estrogen levels within your body, which helps stop the growth of breast cancer. Some research from 2011 showed that Femara can help manage pain related to endometriosis. This product is available in the following dosage forms: Tablet Its important to discuss all of your concerns with your doctor. Avoid storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as in bathrooms. Femara can interact with several types of drugs. Femara may cause hair loss in some people. Most people will take Femara to treat their breast cancer for at least 5 years. Can Breast Cancer Be Detected in a Complete Blood Count (CBC)? Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. Femara is a hormone therapy thats used for HR+ breast cancer. Femara is used in the following ways to treat advanced breast cancer: Femara has been found to be effective in treating advanced breast cancer. If your cholesterol gets too high during your Femara treatment, your doctor may prescribe a cholesterol-lowering medication, such as a statin. 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. Using more than this can lead to serious side effects. These and other important considerations are discussed in more detail below. Risks of extended treatment to consider may include weakening of your bones or raised cholesterol levels. 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. This helps stop breast cancer from growing. 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