Femara

Femara

Generic Name: letrozole (LET row zol)

Brand Names: Femara

What is Femara?

Femara 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.

Femara is used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It is often given to women who have been taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex, Soltamox) for 5 years.

Femara may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.

Important information about Femara

Before taking Femara, tell your doctor if you have liver disease. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Femara. Do not use this medication if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Use Femara exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor.

There may be other drugs that can affect Femara. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Stop using this medication and get emergency medical help if you think you have used too much medicine, or if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Less serious side effects are more likely, and you may have none at all. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or is especially bothersome.

Before using Femara

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to letrozole, or if you have not gone completely through menopause. Before taking Femara, tell your doctor if you have liver disease. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication. FDA pregnancy category D: This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication. It is not known whether Femara passes into breast milk. Do not take Femara if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Femara?

Take Femara exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

Femara is usually taken once a day. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Femara can be taken with or without food.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, you will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your bone mineral density may also need to be checked. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Femara dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

An overdose of Femara is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

What should I avoid while taking Femara?

Femara can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Femara side effects

Stop using Femara and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Less serious Femara side effects may include:

hot flashes, warmth or redness in your face or chest;

headache, muscle or joint pain;

night sweats;

weight gain;

fatigue, feeling weak;

nausea; or

swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Femara side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Femara?

There may be other drugs that can affect Femara. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Femara resources

Femara Side Effects (in More Detail)

Femara Dosage

Femara Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Drug Images

Femara Drug Interactions

Femara Support Group

12 Reviews for Femara - Add your own review/rating

Femara Prescribing Information (FDA)

Femara MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Femara Monograph (AHFS DI)

Femara Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Letrozole Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Femara with other medications

Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer, Adjuvant

Breast Cancer, Metastatic

Female Infertility

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Femara.