Femara (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.
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 not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
You should not use Femara if you have not gone completely through menopause.
Femara can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant.
Before taking Femara, tell your doctor if you have osteoporosis, high cholesterol, or liver disease (especially cirrhosis).
Femara may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. To be sure Femara is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. Your bone mineral density may also need to be checked. Visit your doctor regularly.
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially tamoxifen (Soltamox).
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Femara if you are allergic to letrozole, or if you have:
To make sure Femara is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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liver disease (especially cirrhosis);
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osteoporosis, osteopenia (low bone mineral density);
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high cholesterol; or
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if you also take tamoxifen.
Although it is not likely that a postmenopausal woman would be pregnant, Femara could harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Use effective birth control if you are not past menopause,and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether letrozole passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using Femara.
How should I take Femara?
Femara is usually taken once per day, or once every other day. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
While using Femara, you may need frequent blood tests. Your bone mineral density may also need to be checked.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Femara dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Breast Cancer:
For use as first-line treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive or hormone receptor unknown locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Femara is also indicated for the treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women with disease progression following antiestrogen therapy: 2.5 mg tablet orally administered once a day without regard to meals.
In patients with advanced disease, Letrozole therapy should continue until tumor progression is evident.
Usual Adult Dose for Breast Cancer - Adjuvant:
For use as extended adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer in postmenopausal women who have received 5 years of adjuvant tamoxifen therapy: 2.5 mg tablet orally administered once a day without regard to meals.
The optimal duration of treatment with Femara is not known. Treatment should be discontinued if there is a tumor relapse.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking Femara?
This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
This medicine can pass into body fluids (including urine, feces, vomit, semen, vaginal fluid). Patients and caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from other laundry.
Femara side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Femara: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Common Femara side effects may include:
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dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, tired feeling;
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hot flashes, warmth in your face or chest;
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bone pain, muscle or joint pain;
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flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
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headache;
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increased sweating; or
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swelling, weight gain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Femara?
Other drugs may interact with letrozole, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
