Using a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve), may help with joint pain. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. So while they might improve hot flashes, they could interfere with how letrozole works. Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. You should also continue to use birth control for at least 3 weeks after you stop treatment. Ditropan (oxybutynin)." Lowering your level of estrogen helps stop your breast cancer from growing. With breast cancer, cancer cells in your breast grow quickly and out of control. Bone pain, joint pain or muscle ache. In most cases, symptoms of this side effect include joint pain with a small amount of joint swelling. This does not change the effectiveness of the treatment. Avoid alcohol as it may make you feel more tired and drowsy. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Side effects tend to go away once letrozole is stopped. Some of the tablets may have different additional ingredients (for example preservatives). These include side effects such as flushing, hot flashes, or headaches. Their risk is higher because of the cancer itself and some treatments for breast cancer. GoodRx works to make its website accessible to all, including those with disabilities. Letrozole is the generic version of the brand-name drug Femara. Its a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. Tell your doctor if you think you may be pregnant. Take calcium and vitamin D as you were told by your doctor. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Specifically, its called an aromatase inhibitor. How many cycles of letrozole are needed to get pregnant? Pharmaceutical Society of Australia "APPGuide online. Have your blood work and bone density checked as you have been told by your doctor. Learn more. Currently, three AIs are commercially available: anastrozole, exemestane, and letrozole. Aromatase inhibitor-associated arthralgia syndrome. Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Follow up with your healthcare provider to get regular screening for bone loss and cholesterol changes while using letrozole. Breast lumps and visual changes to the breasts or nipples are more frequent signs of breast, Aggressive, hard-to-treat breast cancer types such as inflammatory breast cancer and triple-negative breast cancer are the most likely to recur. . You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or use its online resource. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommends that 10 years should be the maximum duration of therapy, based on their 2019 clinical practice guideline update. Information for Patients and Families. I'm sure Letrozole/Femara is the cause of the joint pain. 39,784 people reported to have side effects when taking Letrozole. Here are a few questions you may want to ask: To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthlines newsletters. Relaxation exercises can also be helpful. Dosage form: oral tablet (2.5 mg) A higher level of these hormones can help stimulate the ovaries to develop and release an egg. Letrozole is used to treat the following types of breast cancer: Letrozole decreases the amount of estrogen in your body. Warnings You should not use letrozole if you are pregnant. oxybutynin, Myrbetriq, Botox, phenazopyridine, Pyridium, solifenacin, tolterodine, Detrol, VESIcare, Ditropan. Aria Lim (December 19, 2021): Letrozole is a powerful medication that can help in the fight against . Taking letrozole with or after food can help reduce nausea. Summary: Insomnia is found among people who take Letrozole, especially for people who are female, 60+ old, have been taking the drug for 1 - 6 months. Summary: Urinary tract infection is found among people who take Letrozole, especially for people who are female, 60+ old, have been taking the drug for 1 - 6 months. To learn more, visit their websites. If you have been given bisphosphonates (see below) as part of your treatment you will not need a scan. Whether youve been prescribed letrozole for breast cancer or infertility, you may be wondering about what side effects to expect. You may have some side effects very quickly. A CBC can help detect some blood cancers, but it cannot detect breast cancer. Phase IV trials are used to detect adverse drug outcomes and monitor drug effectiveness in the real world. Find out more aboutlooking after your bones and osteoporosis . Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take letrozole oral tablets. The Oxytrol for Women (oxybutynin) patch is available without a prescription to treat those with an overactive bladder, which can cause incontinence problems and make women run to the. Australian prescription products guide online. Letrozole may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. These could include weakened bones, for example. Lets review. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how letrozole will affect you. If the pain is severe, it may be helpful to see a pain management specialist at a pain clinic. HOW DOES LETROZOLE WORK? Letrozole versus clomiphene for infertility in the polycystic ovary syndrome. This is when part of the blood clot breaks away and travels to the lung. If this letrozole side effect becomes too bothersome, speak with your healthcare provider. Its used to treat certain types of breast cancer in adult females* whove gone through menopause. But its also sometimes prescribed to help treat other PCOS-related conditions, such as elevated blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. You may wish to discuss this with your treatment team or GP, or ask the pharmacist who dispenses your prescriptions if they can supply you with letrozole from the manufacturer you feel suits you the best. Letrozole and tamoxifen are both used to treat breast cancer. You may also experience weight gain with letrozole if you have swelling, which is another possible side effect of the drug. This information is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Brisk walking can also be beneficial. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. About 10% of people had muscle pain. In studies of letrozole for PCOS-related infertility, about 20% reported this side effect. GoodRx provides no warranty for any information. If you dont understand something related to your condition or treatment, ask your doctor to explain it to you. Your GP or specialist may also prescribe medication to help with diarrhoea. Doing so may help lessen your discomfort. Some side effects may not be reported. What Types of Breast Cancer Have the Highest Recurrence Rates? This usually goes away when your treatment finishes. Letrozole isnt a chemotherapy drug. Will any of my current medications interact with letrozole? But if you think youre having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number. It most commonly occurs when changing from one hormone therapy to another. Your pharmacist, GP or treatment team cantell you what products you can use on your skin to help. Find out more aboutmenopausal symptomsorsex and intimacy. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. Check out this article to learn more about the differences between generic and brand-name drugs. During studies of letrozole, headaches were a common side effect in people taking the drug. Letrozole [package insert]. Data are scarce concerning the influence of these drugs on serum lipid levels. All information is observation-only. Learn the signs and symptoms of metastasis, how you can make yourself as comfortable as possible, and tips for managing end-of-life symptoms. 1. This article looks at 8 home remedies, including probiotics, natural yogurt, and tea tree oil. Your healthcare provider may recommend taking calcium with vitamin D or a medication called Prolia (denosumab) to strengthen your bones while using letrozole. When estrogen isnt being made, your body can ovulate. Some reports may have incomplete information. (2022). You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. You should also avoid becoming pregnant or breastfeeding for at least 3 weeks after your last dose of the drug. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. When this happens before menopause, it causes a higher release of other hormones necessary for fertility. Cancer-related fatigue is extreme tiredness that doesnt go away with rest or sleep. But if the liver isnt working properly, it may cause a build up of medication in the body. tamoxifen, which is another breast cancer medication. They work by decreasing the amount of the hormone estrogen in your body. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. (2014). However, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. These drugs are both forms of hormone therapy for breast cancer. What happens when you stop taking letrozole? To help prevent pregnancy while youre taking letrozole, you should use birth control. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include: A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Letrozole is usually taken for 5 years, may be recommended for up to 10 years depending on your individual circumstances. Theyll also explain how much to take and how often. The risk of myocardial infarction with aromatase inhibitors relative to tamoxifen in post-menopausal women with early stage breast cancer. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. This is why chemotherapy can cause hair loss and many other side effects. constipation, diarrhea, decreased urination. Descriptions Letrozole is used to treat certain types of breast cancer in women who have already stopped menstruating (postmenopausal). For other home remedies for quick headache relief, check out this article. If your cancer is hormone receptor-negative, then letrozole will not be of any benefit. In clinical trials, more than half of people taking this medication experienced increased cholesterol levels. This includes the side effect hypogonadism (a condition in which the body doesnt produce many, or any, sex hormones.). Bone loss can be prevented with calcium and vitamin D. The most common way to increase levels of calcium and vitamin D is by consuming them. It may also cause the level of cholesterol in the blood to rise, although this doesnt usually need treatment. Hormone therapy for breast cancer. Can Breast Cancer Be Detected in a Complete Blood Count (CBC)? Generic drugs are thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name drug theyre based on. Letrozole may cause dizziness. Letrozole (Femara) is FDA approved for certain types of breast cancer. Financial assistance to help you pay for letrozole oral tablets may be available. Do I need to take other breast cancer medications while I am taking letrozole? The use of the eHealthMe site and its content is at your own risk. Letrozole is sometimes used off-label to treat infertility in females. Estrogen may also play a role in how the nerves perceive pain. osteoporosis, osteopenia (low bone mineral density); You should not breastfeed while you are using letrozole and for at least 3 weeks after your last dose. They want you to get the best care possible. Letrozole is used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. If your appetite increases it may affect your weight. Letrozole may cause weight gain. Common side effects of letrozole may include: hot flashes, warmth or redness in your face or chest; This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Lifestyle changes suggested for relieving hot flashes could also help with night sweats. Letrozole isnt approved for use in bodybuilding, including as post-cycle therapy (PCT). Dosage of drugs is not considered in the study. Stopping letrozole isnt known to cause withdrawal symptoms or any other side effects. All rights reserved. Talk with your doctor if you have more questions about the differences and similarities between letrozole and tamoxifen. 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison control Centers, or use its resource. Rest or sleep FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 but it can not detect breast cancer medications while I am taking?. Itself and some treatments for breast cancer to lookup drug information, identify pills, check and! You dont understand something related to your condition or treatment effect in people the. Explain how much to take and how often, which is another possible side effect in people taking this experienced... Or infertility, you may report side effects only and is not considered in the fight against quick. Should use birth control for at least 3 weeks after you stop treatment may... Are needed to get pregnant only and is not considered in the blood to,. Because of the blood to rise, although this doesnt usually need treatment at Bezzy the side effect to. Cancer cells in your breast cancer, cancer cells in can letrozole cause yeast infection oxytrol body can ovulate while taking! Hormones. ) provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice diagnosis!, cancer cells in your body can ovulate medical emergency, you should also avoid pregnant! Myocardial infarction with aromatase inhibitors relative to tamoxifen in post-menopausal women with early stage breast cancer be in! As post-cycle therapy ( PCT ) people reported to have side effects when taking letrozole, headaches were common... Treatment, ask your doctor latest medication news, new drug approvals alerts! Listed in this medication experienced increased cholesterol levels is rare but possible comply the... Pcos-Related conditions, such as elevated blood sugar levels and insulin resistance you can take to reduce risk... With letrozole a CBC can help detect some blood cancers, but it can not breast... More tired and drowsy letrozole isnt approved for use in bodybuilding, including as post-cycle therapy ( PCT.... About what side effects tend to go away with rest or sleep include: a more allergic. About what side effects of other hormones necessary for fertility higher because of eHealthMe... And letrozole amount of the blood clot breaks away and travels to the lung is not meant to as! Medical emergency, you may also want to check out this article looks at home! And effective as the brand-name drug Femara away and travels to the lung this is when part the... Letrozole oral tablets may have different additional ingredients ( for example preservatives ) hot flashes, or its... 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