Femara (Letrozole)

Femara (Letrozole) Medication Information

Uses

Femara is an aromatase inhibitor that is used to treat hormone receptor positive breast cancer. 

Dosage

The tablets come in 2.5 mg strength.

Side Effects

The most common side effects of Femara include:

• Hot flashes
• Arthralgia
• Flushing 
• Headache 
• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Bone pain 

Speak with your doctor for a full list of side effects that apply to you if you are taking Letrozole.

Precautions

There is an risk that patients taking Femara can have decreased bone mineral density.

Femara can also cause an increased in cholesterol, so patients should have their lipid panel monitored. 

Interactions

Common drug interactions with Femara include:

• Tamoxifen
• Cimetidine
• Warfarin

Speak with your doctor for more information and before starting a new medication with Letrozole. 

Storage

Store at 77 ºF.

Pharmacist Tips

• Femara is contraindicated in women who are pregnant
• A common side effect with Letrozole is fatigue and dizziness, women should not operate heavy machinery until they know how Femara will affect them.
• Femara is taken once a day.

Letrozole FAQs

Is it normal to spot on Femara?

In rare cases women can have vaginal bleeding while taking Letrozole. 

Will hair grow during Femara?

Your hair will grow back after stopping Letrozole.

Is Femara a chemotherapy?

Femara is an oral hormonal chemotherapeutic.

What does Femara do to the body?

Letrozole decreases the amount of estrogen in the body, which in some breast cancers can make the tumor grow faster. 

Do you gain weight on Femara?

Weight gain is a possible side effect of Letrozole. 

Related Drugs

• Arimidex
• Nolvadex 

Reference:

Edex {package insert}. Chesterbrook, PA: Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; 2015.

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/020649s023lbl.pdf