Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Most side effects of Femara are mild. (Enzymes help chemical reactions in your body to happen.). 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. Below are examples of off-label uses for Femara. As a type of hormone therapy, Femara works by lowering estrogen levels in your body. This use of the drug is called ovulation induction. But its not known how often this occurs in people using Femara. Before taking Femara, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. Like most drugs, Femara can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Lumpectomy and mastectomy are different types of cancer surgery that remove cancer cells from the breast. When Femara is used off-label to treat infertility, the drug doesnt increase the risk of birth defects or miscarriage. If youre interested in finding an alternative to Femara, talk with your doctor. This means that chemotherapy can affect both cancer cells and healthy cells. Natco Pharma Limited. Osteoporosis. Call your doctor if you think youve taken too much Femara. See the sections Femara for advanced breast cancer and Femara for adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer below for more information. These lists do not include all possible side effects. If youre not sure if youll need to get prior authorization for Femara, contact your insurance company. You can take your dose at any time of the day. What happens when you stop taking letrozole? Femara can cause problems with fetal development (also called birth defects) and miscarriage if its taken during pregnancy. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. 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. Letrozole may be used: This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication. Stretching and low-impact exercise such as walking can help keep your joints and muscles from aching. Femara is a prescription drug used in adult females* whove gone through menopause. If you are not tolerating it well due to side effects, sometimes temporarily stopping it or switching to another hormone drug may be considered. Also, if you experience fatigue, extreme tiredness, or dizziness while taking Femara, you shouldnt drive or operate heavy machinery. 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. Femara can stay in your system after you stop taking the drug. Swelling caused by Femara typically occurs in your arms, feet, hands, or legs. Femara is classified as an aromatase inhibitor. They can recommend you how much alcohol is safe for you to drink during Femara treatment. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Femara is a kind of hormone therapy. This is because if you havent gotten pregnant after six treatment cycles, its likely that this drug wont work for you. Maintaining a moderate weight. Novartis, the maker of letrozole, provided funding for the trial, along with NCI and the International Breast Cancer Study Group. These breast cancers are called hormone sensitive or hormone receptor positive. Estrogen helps to keep your bones strong. Mild side effects of many . Some side effects, such as osteoporosis (weakened bones), will not get better on their own, even after you stop taking Femara. Clomid has been discontinued, but generic versions of clomiphene are still available. You can also visit the Femara manufacturers website to see if there are support options. For some people, Femara may cause fatigue or dizziness. 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. These lists dont include all possible side effects. Some research from 2011 showed that Femara can help manage pain related to endometriosis. The FDA website provides several useful tips on medication disposal. If you have trouble swallowing Femara tablets, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about ways to help make it easier for you to take your medication. Alexander M. Castellino, PhD & Zosia Chustecka. These include: Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Femara, see the Femara side effects section above. Different interactions can cause different effects. Femara isnt currently approved to treat infertility in females. Femara may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe Femara after youve taken tamoxifen for your cancer for at least 5 years. This is especially helpful when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments. Another 2019 review of studies found Femara and clomiphene to be similarly effective in treating unexplained infertility. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Femara. Your insurance plan may require you to get prior authorization before approving coverage for Femara. But because most breast cancers are HR+, Femara can also be used to treat advanced breast cancer whose HR status isnt known. Femara is a brand-name prescription drug thats approved to treat breast cancer in females* whove gone through menopause. To help make sure that you dont miss a dose, try setting a reminder on your phone. Learn more. You shouldnt take Femara unless its been prescribed by a healthcare professional. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. When talking with your doctor, you may want to ask the following questions: To learn more about breast cancer and its treatment options, sign up for Healthlines breast cancer newsletter. Femara can weaken your bones, which may cause new or worsened osteoporosis. 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. They may recommend that you take Femara after youve had surgery to remove early breast cancer.With early breast cancer, the cancer hasnt spread beyond your breast or the lymph nodes in your armpit. Femara, which works by lowering your estrogen level, is prescribed for females* whove gone through menopause. Infertility is often caused by problems with ovulation (when eggs are released from your ovaries). But you wont be able to notice it working in your body. Femara should not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Femara is FDA-approved for adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer thats hormone receptor-positive (HR+). If your doctor confirms that you had a serious allergic reaction to Femara, they may have you switch to a different treatment. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. But sometimes Femara is used off-label for other conditions. This article explains how the foods you eat affect your estrogen levels and covers what dietary patterns are associated with elevated, as well as, Researchers say radiation treatments for breast cancer in women over the age of 65 do not appear to affect the rate of survival, The former Dancing with the Stars host shares how becoming her own advocate saved her life and why she's passionate about sharing the benefits of, New research suggests that melatonin may help lower the risk of breast cancer, slow the growth of breast cancer, and help make breast cancer. Your doctor can recommend treatment options other than Femara. Pet and bone scans show no metastatic activity (again, so far) so fingers crossed it keeps working. During clinical studies, both weight gain and weight loss were reported in people who took Femara for breast cancer treatment. Certain drugs, such as paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil), are used to treat hot flashes. Both Femara and anastrozole (Arimidex) are used to treat certain types of breast cancer in females* who have gone through menopause. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think youre having a medical emergency. A study has found that taking Femara for 10 years instead of 5: reduces the risk of recurrence. If you no longer need to take Femara and have leftover medication, its important to dispose of it safely. Swelling from Femara usually occurs in your arms, feet, hands, or legs. Learn. The standard Femara dosage is the same for all types of breast cancer the drug is used to treat. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use. Letrozole is typically taken once a day for five days. One example of an androgen is the hormone testosterone. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include: Call your doctor right away if you have a severe allergic reaction to Femara. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. So, side effects that you have while taking Femara may continue for a few weeks after you stop using it. November 24, 2017. Femara isnt currently approved to treat infertility in females. PCOS is a condition that causes hormone problems, irregular or skipped periods, and cysts on your ovaries. 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. The half-life of Femara is about 2 days. 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. * However, the drug may be used off-label for this purpose. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Femara. * 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. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. Femara is FDA-approved to treat only certain types of breast cancer. 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. For more information about Femara, including details about the types of breast cancer it treats, see this in-depth article on the drug. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods. Taking a Break From Letrozole Therapy After Breast Cancer. This enzyme is the main way that your body makes estrogen after youve gone through menopause. For more information on the possible side effects of Femara, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If your doctor confirms that you had a mild allergic reaction to Femara, theyll decide if you should continue taking it. For this purpose, Femara is usually used to help lower the risk of the cancer coming back after its been removed by surgery. Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. reduced the number of deaths from breast cancer. Femara may cause reduced bone mineral density (weakened bones) in some people. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. The usual dosage of Femara for inducing ovulation is 2.5 mg taken by mouth once daily for 5 days. Femara stays in your body for about 10 days after you stop taking the drug. How long does letrozole stay in your system after you stop taking it? If you experience fatigue during your Femara treatment that doesnt go away or thats bothersome, talk with your doctor. They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be bothersome. If you have questions about whether its safe for you to drive or operate machinery during your treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If youre breastfeeding, talk with your doctor before you start taking Femara. When you take the drug, it stops androgens in your body from converting into estrogen. It works by lowering the amount of estrogen your body makes. What should I know about Femara vs. Arimidex? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Femara to treat certain conditions. The greater the density, the stronger your bones are. Serious side effects from Femara can occur, but they arent common. For these women, infertility may be caused by problems with ovulation, or it may not have an obvious cause (called unexplained infertility). Liver problems. Ovulation tends to occur between 5 and 10 days after youve taken your last Femara tablet. Femara shouldnt be taken during pregnancy. Examples of both mild and serious side effects that can occur when using Femara for infertility include: Youll usually take Femara by mouth once daily for 5 days after the start of your menstrual cycle. If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Femara induces (causes) ovulation and can increase your chances of becoming pregnant. Femara will start working soon after you start taking it. However, clomiphene is FDA-approved for treating infertility in women. No, Femara isnt a form of chemotherapy. What are some frequently asked questions about Femara? Cancer cells usually increase in number more quickly than healthy cells. ChildrenUse and dose must be determined by your doctor. Below are brief descriptions of each type of breast cancer Femara is used to treat: Before taking Femara, its important to talk with your doctor about your overall health and other medical conditions you have. They shouldnt be crushed, split, or chewed. When will I ovulate after taking letrozole? How long side effects last can vary from person to person. Keep reading to learn more. See Femaras prescribing information for details. Femara and clomiphene are both used to stimulate ovulation in females who are having trouble becoming pregnant. Also, keep in mind that Femara isnt approved to treat breast cancer in females who havent gone through menopause yet. What can I do to help prevent the aches and pains that Ive heard are a side effect of taking Femara? A 2014 study found Femara to be more effective than clomiphene in treating infertility in women with PCOS. There are also some steps you can take to help strengthen your bones naturally. If you miss a dose of Femara, take it as soon as you remember, unless its almost time for your next dose. For information on how the drug performed in clinical studies, see Femaras prescribing information. In addition, a small study found that Femara may be effective in treating infertility in men who have both obesity and low testosterone levels. These lists do not contain all the drugs that may interact with Femara. These types of therapies stop estrogen from encouraging breast cancer cells to grow. This increases your risk of breaking a bone during Femara treatment. 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. Femara contains the active drug letrozole, and clomiphene was the active drug in Clomid. The list below includes factors to consider. PCOS is a condition that causes hormone problems, irregular or skipped periods, and cysts on your ovaries. So researchers wanted to know if taking an aromatase inhibitor for 10 years would offer more benefits than taking one for 5 years. 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