Brand name: Femara Common side effects can be like menopause symptomsand include hot flushes, difficulty sleeping, tiredness and low mood. If youre pregnant or considering pregnancy, talk with your doctor before you start taking letrozole. Other drugs that have the same active ingredients (e.g. In women who were premenopausal at the time of initial BC treatment and whose menses stopped during chemotherapy or upon the initiation of tamoxifen, switching to an AI may cause reactivation of ovarian function, thereby increasing the risk of BC recurrence. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Theyre used in females* whove gone through menopause. So while they might improve hot flashes, they could interfere with how letrozole works. Some of these include bone fractures and complications from high cholesterol. Letrozole belongs to the class of medicines known as aromatase inhibitors. Speak to your GP or specialist if you have any of these symptoms. 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. Medicine Assistance Tool and NeedyMeds are two websites that provide resources to help reduce the cost of letrozole oral tablets. These include side effects such as flushing, hot flashes, or headaches. Some studies show that turmeric may help fight infections and some cancers. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The use of the eHealthMe site and its content is at your own risk. This does not change the effectiveness of the treatment. Follow up with your healthcare provider to get regular screening for bone loss and cholesterol changes while using letrozole. If your joint pain doesnt get better, talk with your doctor. Because letrozole lowers estrogen levels, many of its side effects are similar to menopause symptoms. Like any drug,letrozolecan cause side effects. You don't really "catch" the infection from someone. Warnings You should not use letrozole if you are pregnant. Drug classes: Aromatase inhibitors, Hormones / antineoplastics. It can usually be relieved with mild pain relief like paracetamol or an anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen. Its a very common side effect of breast cancer treatment and may affect you physically and emotionally. These medications work by stimulating your body's immune system. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (secondary breast cancer), this also increases the risk. Breckenridge Pharmaceutical, Inc. (2020). Letrozole and tamoxifen are both used to treat breast cancer. . Talk with your doctor if you have more questions about the differences and similarities between letrozole and tamoxifen. Common side effects of letrozole may include: hot flashes, warmth or redness in your face or chest; This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. But if you think youre having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number. This includes cancer cells. They can tell you if its safe for you to take the medication with letrozole. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or use its online resource. Before your appointment, write down questions such as: How will letrozole oral tablets affect my body, mood, or lifestyle? (2009). Yes FDA label information for this drug is available at DailyMed. If you havesecondary breast cancer, check with your specialist before starting any new type of exercise. In general, generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs do. Letrozole is also prescribed off-label for certain types of infertility. European Journal of Cancer. Their risk is higher because of the cancer itself and some treatments for breast cancer. Note: If a drug has been approved for one use, physicians may elect to use this same drug for other problems if they believe it may be helpful. Letrozole can cause bone pain and joint pain. Letrozole is in the class of medicines called aromatase inhibitors. Urinary tract infection is found to be associated with 4,007 drugs and 3,704 conditions by eHealthMe. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects. Letrozole is a hormone therapy drug. 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. These could include weakened bones, for example. Letrozole [package insert]. Results of our real-world drug study have been referenced on 600+ medical publications, including The Lancet, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, and Nature. GoodRx is not offering advice, recommending or endorsing any specific prescription drug, pharmacy or other information on the site. As mentioned above, low estrogen levels can lead to bone loss. This may happen more often if used for a long time. Traditional chemotherapy agents stop cancer cells from growing, dividing, and making more cells. Like hot flashes, night sweats can happen when estrogen levels are low. 4. Let your doctor know about your missed period and your test results. This information is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. People with a DVT are at risk of developing a pulmonary embolism (PE). (2007). I'm sure Letrozole/Femara is the cause of the joint pain. Cancer-related fatigue is extreme tiredness that doesnt go away with rest or sleep. Your GP or specialist can refer you for counselling or may suggest you take an antidepressant drug. Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion: Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. They work by killing cells in your body that quickly multiply (make more cells). Trademarks, brands, logos, and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. If you have questions about using letrozole in bodybuilding or for endometriosis, talk with your doctor. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Use caution when driving or operating machinery until you know how letrozole affects you. Its not available as a brand-name medication. We study millions of patients and 5,000 more each day. Sometimes, you may be prescribed letrozole after youve taken tamoxifen for 5 years. They are most common among people with weak immune systems. To hear from us, please sign up below. Femara is often given to women who have been taking tamoxifen ( Nolvadex, Soltamox) for 5 years. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. This is why chemotherapy can cause hair loss and many other side effects. If you feel dizzy, avoid driving. Make note of all your symptoms. Everyone reacts differently to drugs and some people have more side effects than others. I have been on Anastrozole for 3 years and bladder pain has become my top issue. Using a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve), may help with joint pain. Breast Cancer Treatment: Why Some Older Patients May Not Need Radiation, TV Host Samantha Harris Says her Breast Cancer Was Misdiagnosed for Months. Additionally, you can find information about weight management here. Aromatase inhibitors. There are CDs, podcasts and phone apps that can guide you through these techniques. Here are a few questions you may want to ask: To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthlines newsletters. If you have concerns about eating certain foods with letrozole, talk with your doctor. You may also experience side effects caused by other treatments or individual circumstance, such as the menopause. 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. With approval from my oncologist and urogyn, I use a small amount of . These lists dont include all possible side effects. Letrozole oral tablets are a generic drug, which means theyre an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Letrozole may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. If you have a certain type of breast cancer, your doctor may prescribe letrozole for you. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. Phase IV trials are used to detect adverse drug outcomes and monitor drug effectiveness in the real world. The volume percentage of the smooth muscle component also changed, with a significant decrease at 1 week and then a gradual increase at 2 and 3 weeks. They may be able to put letrozole tablets in an easy-open container. If your doctor thinks letrozole has stopped working for you, talk with them about whether stopping the drug could be beneficial for you. Call 911 or seek emergency medical care if you notice symptoms of a serious letrozole side effect. Unlike letrozole, clomiphene is approved for this use. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Most of the time this Candida transfer is harmless, so yeast infections are not highly contagious. Your pharmacist may also recommend tools to help make it simpler to open the drugs container. Note: This document contains side effect information about oxybutynin. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. We'd love to keep in touch about news, events and how you can get involved. Alcohol isnt known to interact with letrozole. Letrozole may be used with other therapies in your breast cancer treatment plan. But, before starting any new medications, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacists. GoodRx is not sponsored by or affiliated with any of the third-party brands identified. Letrozole causes a reduction in estrogen, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone in women with polycystic ovary syndrome or who have had an abnormal response to clomiphene citrate, and in men with advanced prostate cancer. Letrozole has active ingredients of letrozole. Letrozole can cause high blood pressure (hypertension) in some people. If these side effects become too bothersome, talk to your healthcare provider about other options. Tamoxifen is an active drug thats available only as a generic drug. By providing your email address, you agree to receive emails containing coupons, refill reminders and promotional messages from GoodRx. (2021). Abdel-Qadir, H., et al. For information about drug-condition interactions, see Other warnings in the What should be considered before taking letrozole? section below. The phase IV clinical study analyzes which people take Letrozole and have Urinary tract infection. (With dependence, your body needs the drug for you to feel as you usually would.) High levels in liver disease: Letrozole is broken down by liver enzymes. Letrozole stops your body from making the hormone estrogen. Sign up for our GoodRx Diet and Nutrition Newsletter to receive the latest healthy eating advice, recipes, and savings that are most relevant to you. 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. DISCLAIMER: All material available on eHealthMe.com is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. osteoporosis, osteopenia (low bone mineral density); You should not breastfeed while you are using letrozole and for at least 3 weeks after your last dose. Rabaglio, M., et al. Dont take more letrozole oral tablets than your doctor prescribes. You may take letrozole with or without food. However, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Sold under the brand name Femara, letrozole was originally created to treat breast cancer. These include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil). Bone fractures: Sudden pain, swelling, or trouble moving a limb may be signs of a bone fracture. To help ease the pain, you can likely take over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Common letrozole side effects include hot flashes, night sweats, and muscle or joint pain. Whats the dosage of letrozole for infertility? In the present study, we evaluated the effects of letrozole on the serum lipid profile in postmenopausal women with breast cancer. If youre having severe tooth or jaw pain, call your doctor and ask them about treatment options. Letrozole works by blocking the action of the enzyme aromatase, which prevents the body from converting androgens into estrogens. Registered Office: Fifth Floor, Ibex House, 42-47 Minories, London EC3N 1DY. Taking it at the same time each day will help you to remember your dose. They may be able to offer ways of improving your symptoms. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about taking this drug for breast cancer. You may find eating small frequent meals or snacks helps keep up your food intake. 39,784 people reported to have side effects when taking Letrozole. Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on: Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of letrozole oral tablets. Financial assistance to help you pay for letrozole oral tablets may be available. Feels like a UTI, but when I have my PCP test my urine there is no UTI. (Off-label use is when a drug thats approved to treat one condition is used to treat another condition.) Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of a certain type of fungus, resulting. You should also avoid becoming pregnant or breastfeeding for at least 3 weeks after your last dose of the drug. Drugs and Lactation Database. GoodRx provides no warranty for any information. Its important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor. This side effect is sometimes called aromatase-inhibitor associated arthralgia. A physiotherapist may also be able to suggest exercises to help. What Are Side Effects of Femara? Side effects tend to go away once letrozole is stopped. Bring someone with you to your appointment if doing so will help you feel more comfortable. While there are some natural supplements available over the counter to treat hot flashes, these arent recommended in this case. The risk of myocardial infarction with aromatase inhibitors relative to tamoxifen in post-menopausal women with early stage breast cancer. Sometimes it can go away on its own, but it can take months to get better. Letrozole isnt a chemotherapy drug. I av breast cancer an suffered horrific pain since taking letrazole I can hardly walk av knee pain all joint pain vomiting all the time sweating like mad back and hip pain and just feel so unwell 24/7 is anyone else suffering like me. blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin, holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact, seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there. Instead, this response is a shift in your hormone levels that happens when you stop taking letrozole. Its typically taken by mouth once a day. This bone loss may cause joint pain. 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. q. Its used to treat certain forms of: To learn more about these conditions and how letrozole treats them, see the What is letrozole used for? section below. Letrozole comes as tablets that youll take by mouth. 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Muscle or joint pain reported to have side effects talk with your doctor thinks letrozole stopped! Can go away once letrozole is also prescribed off-label for certain types of infertility find! Taken tamoxifen for 5 years, difficulty sleeping, tiredness and low mood they may be able to suggest to... Take months to get better to prevent or reduce some of these side effects when taking letrozole,! Liver disease: letrozole is stopped least 3 weeks after your last dose of the drug get... An exact copy of the active drug thats approved to treat breast...., before starting any new medications, be sure to talk with specialist!