If you have questions about using letrozole in bodybuilding or for endometriosis, talk with your doctor. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. (2021). These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. People with breast cancer have a higher risk of blood clots such as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). These could include weakened bones, for example. This is when part of the blood clot breaks away and travels to the lung. Additionally, sometimes you may receive letrozole by itself after youve had treatment with radiation or surgery. You should also continue to use birth control for at least 3 weeks after you stop treatment. What is hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer? Letrozole can cause bone pain and joint pain. Like hot flashes, night sweats can happen when estrogen levels are low. About 10% of people had muscle pain. GoodRx helps find the best price for you. It is based on letrozole (the active ingredients of Letrozole) and Letrozole (the brand name). Exercise that gently stretches your joints or strengthens your muscles to better support your joints, such as yoga or pilates, may help improve your symptoms. Letrozole comes as tablets that youll take by mouth. Continue reading, You can take letrozole (Femara) in the morning or evening, but you should take it at about the same time each day. Taking letrozole with or after food can help reduce nausea. The half-life of letrozole is 2 days, so once you stop taking letrozole, you might continue to experience side effects for about a week to 10 days after your last dose. Before your appointment, write down questions such as: How will letrozole oral tablets affect my body, mood, or lifestyle? If youre concerned about gaining weight while taking letrozole, talk with your doctor. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. This drug may cause weak bones. If these side effects become too bothersome, talk to your healthcare provider about other options. If youd like more information about how letrozole compares with Arimidex, see this detailed breakdown. Bryant Ranch Prepack. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Continue reading, When you stop taking letrozole, most persistent side effects should improve within a week or 10 days, and as long as you have taken it for at least 5 years, then letrozole should continue to reduce the risk of breast cancer coming back for many years after you stop taking it. Its also important to keep active and eat a high-fibre diet to avoid constipation. The most common side-effects of treatment are hot flushes, sweating, joint pain, and feeling tired. How to store letrozole. The drug can significantly reduce the levels of plasma oestrogens, which remain suppressed throughout the treatment. http://www.appco.com.au/appguide/default.asp" (2006): Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. If you miss a dose, do not double your dose the next day. Can Breast Cancer Be Detected in a Complete Blood Count (CBC)? It can also help to increase egg production in women who ovulate normally but have unexplained infertility. Unlike letrozole, clomiphene is approved for this use. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. These symptoms can include: An itchy or burning sensation in your vagina and vulva. Swelling from letrozole usually occurs in your arms, feet, hands, or legs. I'm sure Letrozole/Femara is the cause of the joint pain. You may develop a skin rash while taking letrozole. Letrozole is made by a number of different manufacturers. If the bleeding continues for more than a few days, tell your specialist. If you have a history of high cholesterol you may want to discuss this with your specialist or GP. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how letrozole will affect you. Chemotherapy drugs are also a type of cancer treatment. If you have a certain type of breast cancer, your doctor may prescribe letrozole for you. However, doctors found that it also induces ovulation, so, since 2000, it has been used off-label to help women with fertility issues. Check out these articles to learn more about foods that are rich in calcium and food that are high in vitamin D. You can also increase your calcium and vitamin D levels by taking supplements that are available either over-the-counter or by prescription. 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. Letrozole is also used off-label for certain types of infertility. The mild side effects of Femara that are more common* can include: hot flashes flushed skin increased sweating joint pain weakness edema (swelling), possibly in your ankles or feet headache. Letrozole is a pill you take by mouth (with or without food), so you can take it with a meal if you prefer. Usually, letrozole is prescribed for endometriosis after other treatments havent worked. Your doctor will recommend other treatment options for you beside letrozole. If your appetite increases it may affect your weight. (IUI is a procedure in which a sample of sperm is placed directly into the uterus.). Aching or pain in the joints and muscles is often mild and temporary, although for some people its more severe and longer lasting. "Product Information. Letrozole (Femara) can cause fatigue, dizziness, and sleepiness. 4. Annals of Oncology. Using letrozole during pregnancy can be harmful to the baby. The most common side effect of letrozole is high cholesterol. Some people find mindfulness practices, such as yoga and meditation, are helpful also. But check with your doctor before taking any medications with letrozole. In clinical trials, more than half of people taking this medication experienced increased cholesterol levels. No, there arent any specific foods you should avoid while youre taking letrozole. So, check with your doctor about the dosage of letrozole for infertility thats recommended for you. The Oxytrol for Women (oxybutynin) patch is available without a prescription to treat those with an overactive bladder, which can cause incontinence problems and make women run to the. If you dont get your period after taking letrozole, take a pregnancy test. To make ovulation happen at the right time in your menstrual cycle, youll take letrozole for a few days after the start of your period. If you drink alcohol while youre taking letrozole, you might be more likely to have certain side effects, including: If you plan to drink alcohol while youre taking letrozole, make sure to talk with your doctor. For instance, your doctor may prescribe other breast cancer treatments, such as fulvestrant, in addition to letrozole. Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Most people are given letrozole for 5 years, but some will take it for up to 10 years. 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. 7 Since many women are unaware of these side effects, they often go left untreated and are instead pushed aside as an afterthought of cancer treatment. This makes letrozole useful as a treatment for estrogen-sensitive breast cancer after menopause. Learn the signs and symptoms of metastasis, how you can make yourself as comfortable as possible, and tips for managing end-of-life symptoms. By providing your email address, you agree to receive emails containing coupons, refill reminders and promotional messages from GoodRx. What Types of Breast Cancer Have the Highest Recurrence Rates? These side effects can usually be managed with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications. These include side effects such as flushing, hot flashes, or headaches. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." Feels like a UTI, but when I have my PCP test my urine there is no UTI. The brand-name medication that letrozole oral tablets are based on is called Femara. Night sweats may be annoying, but theyre not dangerous. Clomid is no longer available, but its generic version, clomiphene, is still available. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. , 7 , ? You can unsubscribe at any time. 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. Drugs and Lactation Database. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. (2014). Before taking letrozole oral tablets, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. Let your doctor know about your missed period and your test results. Female hormones that occur naturally in the body can increase the growth of some breast cancers. Concomitant use of oxybutynin (the active ingredient contained in Oxytrol) with carbamazepine and dantrolene has been associated with adverse events suggestive of carbamazepine toxicity, such as vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, unsteadiness, slurred speech, and nystagmus. Additionally, letrozole may be prescribed for females* with both endometriosis and infertility because it can help cause ovulation. But it can impact some of side effects of the drug. Letrozole may be used with other therapies in your breast cancer treatment plan. Heres a list of common questions related to taking letrozole. Letrozole is in the class of medicines called aromatase inhibitors. A higher level of these hormones can help stimulate the ovaries to develop and release an egg. To help ease the pain, you can likely take over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Prophylactic mastectomy is surgery to remove breast tissue. Low estrogen levels tend to cause hot flashes. Around 6% experienced weight loss. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (secondary breast cancer), this also increases the risk. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. Letrozole is sometimes used off-label to treat infertility in females. Some of these women will conceive with letrozole; There can be unpleasant side effects with Clomid that cause women to stop taking it This can be a reason to use Femara instead of Clomid; Femara and Pregnancy - Success Rates Using Femara and Letrozole. Using a wrist splint can help. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing. Everyone reacts differently to drugs and some people have more side effects than others. Letrozole is the generic version of the brand-name drug Femara. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about taking supplements or other ways to prevent or manage weakened bones. Its typically taken by mouth once a day. It is often used in breast cancer. Mild pain relief such as paracetamol may help with headaches. Stopping smoking and doing regular weight-bearing exercise can also help keep your bones strong. American Cancer Society. Before taking this medicine Relaxation exercises can also be helpful. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. Its prescribed for adult females* whove gone through menopause. When used for infertility, about 22% of people reported feeling tired. To help keep your bones healthy you can increase your intake of calcium and vitamin D. Most people do this by taking a supplement. Letrozole may be prescribed for females * with both endometriosis and infertility it..., sweating, joint pain hormones that occur naturally in the body can increase intake. Secondary breast cancer have the Highest Recurrence Rates with radiation or surgery differently to drugs and some have. 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