Femara

Other Names: Letrozole

Commonly Prescribed For: Femara is primarily prescribed for the treatment of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It can be used as a follow on medication for women who have been taking Tamoxifen for five years or more. Femara can also be used for treatment of infertility problems such as polycystic ovary syndrome; excess estrogen in men; and, breast cancer in premenopausal women.

How to Take It: Femara should be taken once a day, or as directed by your doctor and comes in the form of a 25mg tablet which should be swallowed with a full glass of water. It can be taken with or without food. It is advisable to try to take the medication at the same time each day in order to build up a routine. If you forget to take your dose, you should take it as soon as you remember on that day but you should never take more than one tablet per day.

How It Works: Femara works by lowering estrogen levels in the body. As many breast cancers need estrogen to grow, by lowering the amount of estrogen in the body, Femara helps to reduce the ability for the tumors to grow.

Some Side Effects: Side effects of Femara can include headaches, weight gain, fatigue, weakness, hot flashes, night sweats, and nausea. Some more serious side effects can include trouble breathing; hives; or swelling of the face, mouth, tongue or throat; which are all signs of an allergic reaction. If any of these serious symptoms occur, you should cease taking Femara and consult your doctor immediately.