What is Femara?
Femara (Letrozole) is a prescription medication used to treat breast cancer symptoms. Femara can be taken alone or in combination with other drugs.
Femara is a member of the class of medications known as Anticancer, Aromatase Inhibitor.
Femara (Letrozole) uses
This medicine is used to treat specific forms of breast cancer in postmenopausal women (such as hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer). Letrozole is also used to aid in the prevention of cancer recurrence. Certain types of breast cancer are accelerated in growth by a natural hormone called estrogen. Letrozole inhibits the production of estrogen in the body, slowing or reversing the growth of certain breast tumors.
Mechanism of action
Letrozole is a nonsteroidal competitive inhibitor of the aromatase enzyme system, preventing androgens from being converted to estrogens. Letrozole is as effective as ovariectomy at reducing uterine weight, increasing serum LH, and regressing estrogen-dependent cancers in adult non-tumor and tumor-bearing female mice. In contrast to ovariectomy, letrozole medication does not result in an increase in serum FSH levels. Letrozole reduces gonadal steroidogenesis selectively but has no effect on mineralocorticoid or glucocorticoid synthesis in the adrenal glands.
Letrozole inhibits the aromatase enzyme by binding competitively to the heme of the enzyme’s cytochrome P450 subunit, resulting in a decrease in estrogen production across all tissues. Letrozole treatment dramatically decreases serum estrone, estradiol, and estrone sulfate levels but has no effect on adrenal corticosteroid, aldosterone, or thyroid hormone synthesis.
Femara dosage
Adult Dose Typical for Breast Cancer:
To be used as a first-line therapeutic option for postmenopausal women who have hormone receptor-positive or unknown locally progressed or metastatic breast cancer. Additionally, Femara is approved for the treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women who have progressed on
Antiestrogen therapy:
2.5 mg tablet used orally once daily without regard for meals.
Letrozole medication should be continued in individuals with advanced disease until tumor progression is obvious.
Adult Dosage Typical for Breast Cancer – Adjuvant:
To be used in postmenopausal women who have received five years of adjuvant tamoxifen medication as an extended adjuvant treatment for early breast cancer: 2.5 mg tablet used orally once daily without regard for meals.
Administration
Letrozole is available as a tablet to be taken once day with or without food. Every day, take letrozole at approximately the same time. Take care to carefully follow the recommendations on your prescription label, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Letrozole should be taken exactly as prescribed.
Femara side effects
The most frequently reported side effects of letrozole are as follows:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Aches in the muscles
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- The ache in the chest
- Cholesterol levels may rise with treatment with letrozole.
Cholesterol levels should be watched closely, and some people may require cholesterol treatment. Letrozole causes a decrease in bone mineral density, which increases the risk of osteoporosis and
Femara drug interaction
Other medications, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements, may interact with letrozole. Inform your doctor of all current medications and any new or discontinued medications.
Warnings/ instructions for use
Consult your doctor about your medical history before beginning Femara. If you have certain medical issues or other factors impacting your health, Femara may not be suited for you. These include the following:
Allergy to Femara: You should avoid using Femara if you have ever had an allergic reaction to letrozole (the active component in Femara) or any of the inactive substances in Femara. Consult your doctor if you are unsure about your medication allergies.
Femara is eliminated from the body by the liver. If you have cirrhosis (liver scarring) or severe liver problems, you may require a reduced Femara dosage. For instance, your doctor may recommend that you take Femara every other day rather than daily as prescribed. Consult your doctor if you have a history of liver problems prior to beginning Femara.
Femara may cause an increase in your cholesterol level. As a result, you’ll undergo blood tests to monitor your cholesterol level while on the medicine. If your cholesterol level becomes too high, you may require medicine to bring it down.
Osteoporosis: Taking Femara may cause your bones to deteriorate. This can result in the development of new or worsened osteoporosis (weak, thin bones). Additionally, it can raise the chance of bone fractures. While you are taking Femara, your doctor may perform a bone mineral density test. If you currently have osteoporosis or are at risk of getting it, you may require medicine to help protect your bones while taking Femara. (These risk factors include a family history of osteoporosis, insufficient physical exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption, and inadequate calcium and vitamin D intake.)
Storage
Store the medication at room temperature in a tightly covered container away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Avoid freezing. Keep out of children’s reach. Do not keep expired or no longer needed medications. Inquire of your healthcare expert how to properly dispose of any medication that is no longer needed.
Contraindications
Letrozole is contraindicated in women who are premenopausal, pregnant, or lactating.
Pregnancy or lactation
If you are pregnant, do not take Femara.
According to post-marketing reports, animal studies, and the mechanism of action, therapy has the potential to cause fetal harm and is therefore contraindicated in pregnant women; post-marketing reports indicate that use during pregnancy resulted in spontaneous abortions and congenital birth defects; however, data are insufficient to establish a drug-associated risk.
Contraception: Advise females of reproductive potential to utilize effective contraception during therapy and for a minimum of three weeks following the final dosage.
Infertility: In females and males of reproductive potential, therapy may decrease fertility.
Breastfeeding: Avoid taking Femara if you are nursing.
