Femara

Anovulatory cycle, Postmenopause, Breast + 5 more
Treatment
7 FDA approvals
20 Active Studies for Femara

What is Femara

LetrozoleThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryLetrozole is a medication used to treat breast cancer. It is an aromatase inhibitor that works by blocking the production of estrogen in the body. It was first introduced in 1990 and received FDA approval in 1997. This type of medication is usually prescribed for postmenopausal women, and has fewer side effects than other third generation aromatase inhibitors such as exemestane and anastrozole.
Femarais the brand name
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Femara Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Femara
Letrozole
1997
40

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Letrozole, also known as Femara, is approved by the FDA for 7 uses including Early Breast Cancer and Advanced Breast Cancer .
Early Breast Cancer
Advanced Breast Cancer
Breast
Breast
Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms
Used to treat advanced HR + HER2 - breast cancer in combination with Ribociclib
Breast
Used to treat metastatic HR + HER2 - breast cancer in combination with Ribociclib
Postmenopause

Effectiveness

How Femara Affects PatientsLetrozole is a medication used to treat breast cancer. It works by blocking the enzyme aromatase, which produces estrogen and can cause breast cancer to grow. Letrozole is a long-lasting drug that stays in the body for over 42 hours. Patients should be aware of potential side effects including lung diseases, heart problems, liver issues, low white blood cells, and harm to unborn babies.
How Femara works in the bodyLetrozole is a drug used to reduce the amount of estrogen in the body. It works by blocking a special enzyme called aromatase, which converts androgens into estrogen. This leads to lower levels of estrogen, which is linked to a reduction in uterine weight and higher levels of leuteinizing hormone. In postmenopausal women, this drug also helps shrink estrogen-dependent tumors. Additionally, it does not affect levels of cortisol, aldosterone, and thyroxine.

When to interrupt dosage

The dose of Femara is contingent upon the diagnosed condition, including Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Breast and Postmenopause. The magnitude of dosage fluctuates as per the technique of delivery detailed in the table underneath.
Condition
Dosage
Administration
Postmenopause
, 2.5 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
, 2.5 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Anovulatory cycle
, 2.5 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Breast
, 2.5 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Breast
, 2.5 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
tamoxifen
, 2.5 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Breast
, 2.5 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms
, 2.5 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral

Warnings

Femara Contraindications
Condition
Risk Level
Notes
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Letrozole may interact with Pulse Frequency
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Femara.
Common Femara Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Acenocoumarol
Major
The metabolism of Acenocoumarol can be decreased when combined with Letrozole.
Acetaminophen
Major
The metabolism of Acetaminophen can be decreased when combined with Letrozole.
Antipyrine
Major
The metabolism of Antipyrine can be decreased when combined with Letrozole.
Arformoterol
Major
The metabolism of Arformoterol can be decreased when combined with Letrozole.
Asunaprevir
Major
The metabolism of Asunaprevir can be decreased when combined with Letrozole.
Femara Toxicity & Overdose RiskNot much is known about the effects of an overdose in humans, but one case wasn't linked to serious harm. Animal studies have not found any major effects from taking high doses. People who overdose should be given treatment that focuses on relieving symptoms. In mice and rats, doses over 2000mg/kg have caused reduced movement, difficulty breathing, poor coordination, and death.
image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Femara Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Femara?

Presently, 74 active studies are being conducted to ascertain the potential of Femara in treating Breast Cancer, Anovulatory cycles and in conjunction with Tamoxifen.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
8 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Early Phase 1, Phase 4, Phase 1
tamoxifen
0 Actively Recruiting
Breast
9 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 3
Breast
0 Actively Recruiting
Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms
0 Actively Recruiting
Anovulatory cycle
0 Actively Recruiting
Postmenopause
8 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 1
Breast
0 Actively Recruiting

Femara Reviews: What are patients saying about Femara?

5Patient Review
1/6/2019
Femara for Hormone Receptor Positive Breast Cancer
I underwent chemo and radiation for breast cancer and, so far, have had no issues with the femara treatments I've been taking. It's nice to know that this medication is working to keep me healthy.
5Patient Review
12/9/2018
Femara for Breast Cancer that has Spread to Another Part of the Body
This treatment was very effective for my metastatic breast cancer. My tumor shrunk by 3 cm and I have been in remission for 6 1/2 years.
4Patient Review
2/21/2016
Femara for Hormone Receptor Positive Postmenopausal Early Breast Cancer
I've only been on this medication for four months following chemotherapy and a mastectomy, but the side effects didn't start until about six weeks in. So far, I've experienced interrupted sleep, aches in my knees, hands, and feet, as well as what I can only describe as malaise--a general feeling of fatigue and lethargy. However, if I keep moving, the pain eases somewhat, naps help with the interrupted sleep, and forcing myself to do things and get out of the house seems to help with the malaise. Good luck to all who are taking this drug or recovering from breast
4Patient Review
9/30/2017
Femara for Hormone Receptor Positive Postmenopausal Early Breast Cancer
I've been on Femara for over a year now. Some of the more concerning side effects I've experienced are hot flushes, hair loss, and sudden weight loss. Loss of appetite has also been an issue. From what I can tell from other reviews, it doesn't seem like these are typical reactions. Thankful that at the very least I don't have any aches or pains!
3.7Patient Review
3/23/2016
Femara for Hormone Receptor Positive Postmenopausal Early Breast Cancer
I was initially on Arimidex, but the joint pain became unbearable. I was then switched to Letrozole. For a couple months, things were going well... and then the old symptoms started creeping back up again. My oncologist and I will be having a conversation soon about whether or not this treatment is still working for me. Quality of life is important to me, so I'll tough it out if I have to - but only in the hopes that cancer never returns.
View All Reviews
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Patient Q&A Section about femara

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Is Femara successful for fertility?

"Femara can help a woman to conceive approximately 15 percent more each month. Ovulation has been successfully induced in women who were not doing so naturally using Femara. If Femara is used in combination with Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), a woman's chances for pregnancy increase substantially."

Answered by AI

What does Femara do for fertility?

"Letrozole is a medication used to lower estrogen production or to induce ovulation in patients with irregular ovulation patterns. It can also help to increase egg production in women who ovulate normally but have unexplained infertility."

Answered by AI

What is the medication Femara used for?

"Letrozole decreases the amount of estrogen the body makes and helps to slow or reverse the growth of these breast cancers.

This medication is used to treat certain types of breast cancer (such as hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer) in women after menopause. Letrozole is also used to help prevent the cancer from returning. Some breast cancers are made to grow faster by a natural hormone called estrogen. Letrozole decreases the amount of estrogen the body makes and helps to slow or reverse the growth of these breast cancers."

Answered by AI

Is Femara a form of chemo?

"Femara is not a form of chemotherapy, but rather a type of hormone therapy. Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment option that uses drugs to kill cancer cells."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Femara

Have you considered Femara clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Femara, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Have you considered Femara clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Femara, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Have you considered Femara clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Femara, we think they might fit your search criteria.