Letrozole
Anovulatory cycle, Postmenopause, Breast + 5 more
Treatment
7 FDA approvals
20 Active Studies for Letrozole
Treatment for
Anovulatory cycle
What is Letrozole
Letrozole
The Generic name of this drug
Treatment Summary
Letrozole (CGS 20267) is a pill-form medication used to treat breast cancer. It was first introduced in 1990 and was approved by the FDA in 1997. It is part of a class of drugs known as aromatase inhibitors, which work by blocking the production of estrogen. Unlike other drugs in its class, Letrozole does not significantly affect the production of cortisol, aldosterone, and thyroxine.
Femara
is the brand name
Letrozole 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 Advanced Breast Cancer and Early Breast Cancer .
Advanced Breast Cancer
Early 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 Letrozole Affects Patients
Letrozole is a drug used to treat breast cancer. It works by blocking the action of an enzyme called aromatase, which helps turn androgens into estrogens. Since estrogens can cause breast tumors to grow, reducing their production can help stop the tumor from coming back. Letrozole is a long lasting drug and stays in the body for over 42 hours. Patients should be aware of the potential side effects, such as lung disease, pneumonitis, prolonged heartbeat, elevated liver enzymes, low white blood cell count, and harm to a developing fetus.
How Letrozole works in the body
Letrozole is a drug that blocks the production of estrogen. It does this by stopping an electron transfer chain in the body, which is responsible for turning androgens into estrogen. By reducing the amount of estrogen in the body, letrozole can reduce the size of uterine tumors that rely on estrogen to grow. It does not affect levels of cortisol, aldosterone, and thyroxine.
When to interrupt dosage
The measure of Letrozole is contingent upon the identified affliction, including Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Breast and Postmenopause. The quantity of dosage changes, conforming to the method of delivery outlined in the table beneath.
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
Letrozole 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 Letrozole.
Common Letrozole 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.
Letrozole Toxicity & Overdose Risk
There is not much data available about overdosing on this drug in humans, however one reported case did not result in serious harm. Animal studies have also shown that taking large amounts of the drug did not cause serious side effects. Symptoms of overdose should be treated with supportive measures. In mice and rats, doses of over 2000mg/kg have been linked to decreased motor activity, difficulty breathing, and even death.
Letrozole Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Letrozole?
At present, 74 active studies are evaluating the utility of Letrozole for Breast Cancer, Anovulatory cycle and tamoxifen-related treatment.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
6 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 1
tamoxifen
0 Actively Recruiting
Breast
10 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 3, Phase 4
Breast
0 Actively Recruiting
Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms
0 Actively Recruiting
Anovulatory cycle
0 Actively Recruiting
Postmenopause
5 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Not Applicable
Breast
0 Actively Recruiting
Letrozole Reviews: What are patients saying about Letrozole?
5
Patient Review
9/24/2019
Letrozole for Infertility associated with the Lack of Ovulation
4.7
Patient Review
12/18/2020
Letrozole for Hormone Receptor Positive Breast Cancer
4.3
Patient Review
9/24/2022
Letrozole for Hormone Receptor Positive Postmenopausal Early Breast Cancer After Adjuvant Tamoxifen
4
Patient Review
5/11/2019
Letrozole for Hormone Receptor Positive Breast Cancer
4
Patient Review
2/10/2022
Letrozole for Hormone Receptor Positive Postmenopausal Early Breast Cancer After Adjuvant Tamoxifen
4
Patient Review
11/30/2020
Letrozole for Hormone Receptor Positive Postmenopausal Early Breast Cancer
4
Patient Review
8/9/2021
Letrozole for Hormone Receptor Positive Postmenopausal Early Breast Cancer
3.7
Patient Review
7/7/2022
Letrozole for Hormone Receptor Positive Postmenopausal Early Breast Cancer After Adjuvant Tamoxifen
3.7
Patient Review
11/16/2020
Letrozole for Hormone Receptor Positive Breast Cancer
3
Patient Review
4/7/2022
Letrozole for Hormone Receptor Positive Breast Cancer
2.3
Patient Review
10/15/2020
Letrozole for Hormone Receptor Positive Breast Cancer
2
Patient Review
9/30/2021
Letrozole for Hormone Receptor Positive Postmenopausal Early Breast Cancer
1
Patient Review
12/17/2019
Letrozole for Hormone Receptor Positive Postmenopausal Early Breast Cancer
Patient Q&A Section about letrozole
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.
Is letrozole help to get pregnant?
"The drug Femara, which is also known by its generic name letrozole, is an oral medication that can be an effective fertility treatment for women who have ovulation problems or unexplained infertility. Femara belongs to a class of drugs called aromatase inhibitors, and has mainly been used to treat certain cases of breast cancer."
Answered by AI
Does letrozole have any side effects?
"The following side effects may occur: hot flashes, hair loss, joint/bone/muscle pain, tiredness, unusual sweating, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, and trouble sleeping. If you experience any of these side effects, tell your doctor or pharmacist."
Answered by AI
What is letrozole used for?
"Letrozole is a medication used in the treatment of breast cancer. It may also help to prevent breast cancer from returning. It is most commonly prescribed for women who have gone through menopause and have a type of cancer known as "hormone-dependent" breast cancer."
Answered by AI
How many letrozole does it take to get pregnant?
"One study found that using letrozole to stimulate ovulation in people with polycystic ovary syndrome yielded an average pregnancy time of 90 days, or approximately 3 cycles."
Answered by AI