Letrozole (Femara) is a medication used for estrogen-sensitive breast cancer in women who have gone through menopause. This is why chemotherapy can cause hair loss and many other side effects. If youd like more information about how letrozole compares with Arimidex, see this detailed breakdown. It is used to treat breast cancer in women who have gone through menopause. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. Letrozole lowers estrogen levels in postmenopausal women, which may slow the growth of certain types of breast tumors that need estrogen to grow in the body. Breast Cancer Treatment: Why Some Older Patients May Not Need Radiation, TV Host Samantha Harris Says her Breast Cancer Was Misdiagnosed for Months. People with certain health conditions may need to take medications with side effects that can weaken your immune system and put you at risk for fungal infections. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing. They may recommend ways to help reduce the pain. An allergic reaction to letrozole oral tablets wasnt reported in studies of the drug. Like most drugs, letrozole oral tablets may cause mild or serious side effects. Take one 2.5 mg letrozole tablet every day. Available for Android and iOS devices. If this occurs, take your tablets at bedtime. Whether youve been prescribed letrozole for breast cancer or infertility, you may be wondering about what side effects to expect. When used for infertility, about 22% of people reported feeling tired. The study uses data from the FDA. For vitamin D, you can increase the amount of oily fish, mushrooms and eggs you eat. In some cases, letrozole is prescribed for early breast cancer thats already been treated with surgery plus 5 years of tamoxifen therapy. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. If you think you have fatigue, tell your GP or treatment team. Atypical manifestations, such as cholestasis, chronic hepatitis, precipitation of acute-on-chronic liver failure, and autoimmune hepatitis, are reported with EBV infection, whereas cholestasis, portal vein thrombosis, and Budd-Chiari syndrome are reported with CMV infection. If you have questions about using letrozole in bodybuilding or for endometriosis, talk with your doctor. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. Common letrozole side effects include hot flashes, night sweats, and muscle or joint pain. Letrozole is a medication used for breast cancer and infertility. Letrozole works by blocking the action of the enzyme aromatase, which prevents the body from converting androgens into estrogens. If you have difficulty sleeping (insomnia), some simple things like limiting caffeine in the afternoon and evening, keeping your room dark and quiet, and going to bed and getting up at a set time each day may help. You may also want to eat more foods that are rich in calcium, such as milk, cheese, yoghurt and cereals. If you dont understand something related to your condition or treatment, ask your doctor to explain it to you. 3. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with letrozole oral tablets. Certain types of breast cancer cells need estrogen to grow. Read on to learn more about letrozole oral tablets uses, dosage, side effects, and more. If you're having trouble, your doctor may prescribe a drug called letrozole. Mild pain relief such as paracetamol may help with headaches. You may feel like your heart is racing (heart palpitations) when taking letrozole, which is more common in older people. If you struggle to maintain a healthy weight, ask your GP or specialist about being referred to a dietitian. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. Will any of my current medications interact with letrozole? Call your doctor right away if you have bone pain. What Letrozole Is Used For: Letrozole is used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Note: In some cases, such as if you have severe liver problems, your doctor may prescribe a letrozole dosage of 2.5 mg every other day. So, if your doctor prescribes letrozole for medical uses, you should not take it for other purposes such as bodybuilding or PCT. Both medications belong to a group of drugs called aromatase inhibitors. Monthly chances for getting pregnant using letrozole are about the same as with using Clomid. Use caution when driving or operating machinery until you know how letrozole affects you. Letrozole is in the class of medicines called aromatase inhibitors. These and other important considerations are discussed in detail below. Theyre used in females* whove gone through menopause. Both letrozole and clomiphene are used to treat infertility in females* by helping to cause ovulation. Sometimes, you may be prescribed letrozole after youve taken tamoxifen for 5 years. GoodRx provides no warranty for any information. Financial assistance to help you pay for letrozole oral tablets may be available. For many people, side effects improve within the first few months of starting the treatment. When this happens before menopause, it causes a higher release of other hormones necessary for fertility. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. This enzyme changes androgen hormones (like testosterone) found in skin, muscle, and fat cells into estrogen. To learn more, visit their websites. Letrozole (Femara ) Hormonal Therapy. They work by reducing the amount of the hormone estrogen in your body. . Letrozole may cause weight gain. Night sweats may be annoying, but theyre not dangerous. And reach out to them if you experience any side effects that are bothersome. Below are some common questions about letrozoles dosage. You will need frequent medical tests, and your bone mineral density may also need to be checked. And its often prescribed together with a form of the hormone progestin. Do not take two doses at one time. Taking letrozole with or after food can help reduce nausea. (2021). Using a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve), may help with joint pain. Its not available as a brand-name medication. Femara ( letrozole) is a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor (lowers estrogen production) used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Tamoxifen is an active drug thats available only as a generic drug. Common side effects can be like menopause symptomsand include hot flushes, difficulty sleeping, tiredness and low mood. When is the best time of day to take letrozole? They are most common among people with weak immune systems. Aromatase inhibitors. Letrozole can sometimes cause headaches. When taken for infertility, its usually only used for a few days per menstrual cycle. Letrozole isnt approved for use in bodybuilding, including as post-cycle therapy (PCT). Letrozole oral tablets may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. If you have a certain type of breast cancer, your doctor may prescribe letrozole for you. More serious side effects are possible, including bone fractures and complications from high cholesterol. The most common side-effects of treatment are hot flushes, sweating, joint pain, and feeling tired. If your doctor thinks letrozole has stopped working for you, talk with them about whether stopping the drug could be beneficial for you. You should also avoid becoming pregnant or breastfeeding for at least 3 weeks after your last dose of the drug. Chemotherapy drugs are also a type of cancer treatment. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use. More serious letrozole side effects are also possible. Letrozole and other drugs in the same group of medications commonly cause joint pain and stiffness. Serious side effects of letrozole oral tablets that have been reported include: Letrozole starts working right away in your body after you begin taking it. It is often given to women who have been taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex, Soltamox) for 5 years. With this interaction, tamoxifen can reduce how well letrozole works. For instance, your doctor may prescribe other breast cancer treatments, such as fulvestrant, in addition to letrozole. They can suggest ways to help you manage a body weight thats healthy for you. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our. But before starting any new medications, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist. But if you think youre having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number. Common letrozole side effects can be frustrating, but theyre usually not serious. For other home remedies for quick headache relief, check out this article. Blood clots can be harmful but are treatable so its important to report symptoms as soon as possible. The phase IV clinical study analyzes which people take Letrozole and have Insomnia. All rights reserved. Other symptoms may include shortness of breath, sweating, or indigestion. These include side effects such as flushing, hot flashes, or headaches. Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion: Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. Talk with your doctor if you have more questions about the differences and similarities between letrozole and tamoxifen. It is also used for women who have already had other cancer treatments (eg, tamoxifen). This information is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Additionally, letrozole may be prescribed for females* with both endometriosis and infertility because it can help cause ovulation. Letrozole is an active drug, while Clomid was a brand-name medication that contained the active drug clomiphene. If fatigue happens while youre using letrozole, try taking your dose at night. 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. All rights reserved. If you lose your appetite, it may help to take your tablet with food. Learn more about some of the side effects letrozole oral tablets may cause. Drug classes: Aromatase inhibitors, Hormones / antineoplastics. The tablets come in one strength: 2.5 milligrams (mg). If you use this eHealthMe study on publication, please acknowledge it with a citation: study title, URL, accessed date. This may happen more often if used for a long time. In studies, joint pain was a common side effect of letrozole. This may raise the chance of broken bones. Descriptions Letrozole is used to treat certain types of breast cancer in women who have already stopped menstruating (postmenopausal). Here, well dive deeper into some common letrozole side effects you should know about. You may have menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, sweating, sleep disturbance, vaginal irritation such as dryness and itching, and reduced libido (sex drive). But check with your doctor before taking any medications with letrozole. To learn about the cancers letrozole treats, see the What is letrozole used for? section above. (When you ovulate, an egg is released from your ovaries). Letrozole and tamoxifen are both used to treat breast cancer. But its also sometimes prescribed to help treat other PCOS-related conditions, such as elevated blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. Letrozole belongs to the class of medicines known as aromatase inhibitors. Small cuts or tiny cracks in the skin of your vulva because of fragile skin in the area. There are a few choices for treating estrogen-sensitive breast cancer. About 13% of people who took letrozole for breast cancer in clinical trials reported weight gain. Taking medications, vaccines, foods, and other things with a certain drug can affect how the drug works. Mild side effects of letrozole oral tablets that have been reported include: hot flashes feeling weak or having increased tiredness dizziness belly pain or cramping hair loss swelling, usually in.