What is Femara?
Femara, also known by the generic name letrozole, is a chemotherapy medication used to treat breast cancer. It is typically used to treat hormone receptor positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It is also used in the early treatment of early breast cancer in postmenopausal women who have received tamoxifen with no improvement. It is available in brand-name and generic forms. It is available as a 2.5 mg oral tablet.
Femara (Letrozole) Information
Femara dosage
Femara is typically taken as a 2.5 mg tablet once daily. Patients with liver disease or severe liver impairment may be recommended a lower dosage of 2.5 mg every other day. The tablets can be taken with or without food.
How Femara works
Breast cancer is often caused by the overgrowth of cells, which are stimulated by estrogen hormones. Estrogen in the body primarily stems from androgens, such as androstenedione and testosterone. It is an aromatase inhibitor that works by blocking the conversion of androgens into estrogens. Blocking this conversion can help reduce estrogen hormone levels in the body, which helps slow the growth of cancer cells in the breast.
What Femara is used for
Femara is used to treat hormone receptor positive early breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It can also be used a primary or secondary treatment in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive breast cancer or advanced breast cancer. In postmenopausal women who have received prior tamoxifen treatment, it may be used to help fight the cancer.
Before Femara is prescribed
Discuss with your doctor any medical conditions you may have before taking Femara. You should not take it if you are pregnant or if you have an allergy to any of it’s ingredients. Tell your doctor about any medications you take before you begin treatment
Femara precautions and warnings
Always read and understand the medication guide provided with the product before you begin taking Femara. When you buy Femara online from Your Canada Drug Store, we always send the products in the manufacturer’s packaging.
Femara may cause a decrease in bone mineral density. Therefore, bone mineral density may need to be monitored during treatment. It may also cause increased cholesterol levels. Cholesterol levels may need to be monitored throughout treatment, especially if you are predisposed to high cholesterol levels.
What are the side effects of Femara?
- Hot flashes
- Joint pain
- Flushing
- Weakness
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Increased sweating
- Bone pain
Report side effects to your doctor. If you find them unmanageable, call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. We also have a pharmacist that can provide counselling when you buy Femara online.
Femara coupon
Current discounts and promotions when you buy Femara online can be found here
Femara (Letrozole) FAQs
How can I prevent side effects from Femara?
Side effects can be prevented or managed by maintaining an adequate diet and rest schedule. Your healthcare provider will recommend drinking plenty of fluids while taking Femara. Small meals spread throughout the day can help alleviate side effects of nausea.
If you experience hot flashes, it is recommended to wear light clothing or stay in a cool environment. You can also place cool clothing on the body or head to help alleviate hot flashes. Consult your healthcare provider for other ways to prevent or manage side effects.
Can Femara cause blood clots?
Although rare, Femara can cause blood clots. Around 2% of patients or less experienced blood clots, cardiovascular events, or cerebrovascular events in clinical trials. Cardiovascular events included angina, or chest pain, and heart attack. Cerebrovascular events included hemorrhagic strokes, among other serious events.
Will Femara change my cycle?
Femara is only recommended to treat post-menopausal women. Therefore, women taking this should not be experiencing periods. It may cause vaginal bleeding or vaginal irritation as a side effect, however.
Are Femara and letrozole the same?
Femara contains the active ingredient letrozole. Generic alternatives are currently available. Manufacturers of generic Femara include Accord Healthcare, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, and Eugia Pharma Specialities Limited. Generic equivalents contain the same active ingredient that is found in brand-name, and they work to produce the same effect as the brand-name version.
How does Femara work for fertility?
Femara is sometimes prescribed off-label to treat infertility in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Femara, or letrozole, can help induce ovulation in women with PCOS. It works by lowering estrogen levels and increasing the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to help stimulate ovulation.