Brand : LETROZ (Femara, Letrozole)
Drug Information provided by: Micromedex

US Brand Names : Femara

Description

Letrozole is used to treat certain types of breast cancer in women. Female hormones that occur naturally in the body can increase the growth of some breast cancers. Letrozole works by decreasing the amounts of these hormones in the body. This medicine is meant to be used only by women who have already stopped menstruating.This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, letrozole is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:

* Breast cancer that is hormone receptor-positive in women who have already gone through menopause (treatment before surgery) .This product is available in the following dosage forms: Tablet

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Geriatric

This medicine has been tested and has not been shown to cause different effects in older women than in younger adults.

Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category Explanation
All Trimesters D Studies in pregnant women have demonstrated a risk to the fetus. However, the benefits of therapy in a life threatening situation or a serious disease, may outweigh the potential risk.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other Interactions LETROZ (Femara, Letrozole)

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

* Cirrhosis or
* Kidney disease or
* Liver disease or
* Severe liver disease—Problems are not likely to occur in people with mild kidney or liver disease. However, the dose of letrozole should be reduced in patients with cirrhosis and severe liver disease

Proper Use

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, and do not take it more often than your doctor ordered.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

* For oral dosage form (tablets):
o For breast cancer:
+ Adults—One 2.5–milligram tablet a day.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that the medicine is working properly and does not cause unwanted effects. This medicine may cause you to become dizzy or drowsy; use caution if you are driving an automobile or using machinery .

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Stop taking this medicine and get emergency help immediately if any of the following effects occur:
More common

* Shortness of breath Less common * Chest pain Rare

* Continuing or severe nervousness
* Cough
* Dizziness or lightheadedness
* Fainting
* Fast heartbeat
* Heart attack
* Increased sweating
* Nausea
* Pain in chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves
* Severe, sudden headache
* Slurred speech
* Severe and sudden, unexplained shortness of breath
* Sudden loss of coordination
* Sudden, severe weakness or numbness in arm or leg
* Vision changes

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common

* Bone fracture
* Breast pain
* Chills, fever, or flu-like symptoms
* Mental depression
* Swelling of feet or lower legs

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common

* Anxiety * Confusion * Constipation * Diarrhea * Dry mouth * Headache
* Increased thirst and urination * Loss of appetite or weight loss
* Metallic taste * Skin rash or itching * Sleepiness
* Spinning or whirling sensation causing loss of balance
* Stomach pain or upset
* Trouble sleeping
* Unusual tiredness
* Vomiting
* Weakness
* Weight gain

 

Letrozole sometimes causes a loss of hair.

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.