What is Letrozole
LetrozoleThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryLetrozole (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.
Femarais 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 6 uses including HR+, HER2-, Advanced Breast Cancer and Breast .HR+, HER2-, Advanced Breast Cancer
Used to treat HR+, HER2-, Advanced Breast Cancer in combination with Ribociclib
Breast
Breast
Used to treat metastatic HR + HER2 - breast cancer in combination with Ribociclib
Postmenopause
advanced HR + HER2 - breast cancer
Used to treat advanced HR + HER2 - breast cancer in combination with Ribociclib
Breast
Effectiveness
How Letrozole Affects PatientsLetrozole 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 bodyLetrozole 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
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
, 2.5 mg
Kit; Tablet; Tablet, film coated - Oral, , Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet; Tablet, film coated, Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral
Breast
, 2.5 mg
Kit; Tablet; Tablet, film coated - Oral, , Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet; Tablet, film coated, Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral
Breast
, 2.5 mg
Kit; Tablet; Tablet, film coated - Oral, , Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet; Tablet, film coated, Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral
Anovulatory cycle
, 2.5 mg
Kit; Tablet; Tablet, film coated - Oral, , Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet; Tablet, film coated, Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral
Postmenopause
, 2.5 mg
Kit; Tablet; Tablet, film coated - Oral, , Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet; Tablet, film coated, Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral
advanced HR + HER2 - breast cancer
, 2.5 mg
Kit; Tablet; Tablet, film coated - Oral, , Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet; Tablet, film coated, Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral
Breast
, 2.5 mg
Kit; Tablet; Tablet, film coated - Oral, , Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet; Tablet, film coated, Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral
Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
, 2.5 mg
Kit; Tablet; Tablet, film coated - Oral, , Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet; Tablet, film coated, Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral
tamoxifen
, 2.5 mg
Kit; Tablet; Tablet, film coated - Oral, , Tablet, film coated, Kit; Tablet; Tablet, film coated, Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral
Warnings
Letrozole ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Letrozole may interact with Toxoplasma Infections
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 RiskThere 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
Breast
16 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 1, Phase 3
Anovulatory cycle
0 Actively Recruiting
tamoxifen
0 Actively Recruiting
advanced HR + HER2 - breast cancer
0 Actively Recruiting
Breast
0 Actively Recruiting
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
9 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Not Applicable, Phase 2, Phase 3, Early Phase 1, Phase 4
Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
29 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 1, Phase 3, Not Applicable
Breast
15 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 3, Early Phase 1
Postmenopause
6 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 3
Letrozole Reviews: What are patients saying about Letrozole?
5Patient Review
9/24/2019 We tried for over a year to conceive without any help, but after taking this medication for just five days we're now nine weeks pregnant!
4.7Patient Review
12/18/2020 I was supposed to take this medication for five years, but it has now been 10. I have dealt with severe bone pain and intermittent flare-ups throughout this time. I am considering stopping the medication.
4.3Patient Review
9/24/2022 I've been taking letrozol for 18 months now and it's going great! I have experienced a few joint pains in my hands, calves, and feet; but those went away about 6 months ago. As long as my cancer stays in remission, I'll keep taking the drug.
4Patient Review
5/11/2019 I've been experiencing severe joint pain, bone pain, numbness and tingling in my hand, throbbing hand joints, and a rash on many areas of my body. After sitting for a while, it's hard to walk normal again. It takes me a while to stop shuffle walking and stooped over to correct posture and normal steps.
4Patient Review
2/10/2022 I've been on Letrozole for eight years now. For me, the side effects have been manageable: thinning hair and vaginal dryness being the two most noticeable. I don't sleep as well as I used to and have more aches than I did before cancer showed up, but that can easily be chalked up to aging 10 years. There's been no sign of cancer and I'm living life to its fullest - training for a half marathon and loving my family. Good luck to all of you on this journey.
4Patient Review
11/30/2020 I've been on this medication for nine months. The only side effect I've experienced is joint and muscle pain, though it's primarily at night or when I'm sitting down. Once I get up and moving around, the pain goes away. My oncologist has me taking 2000mg of turmeric every day to help with the pain.
4Patient Review
8/9/2021 I've been on Letrozole for 2 years and have 8 more to go. Recently, I've been losing a lot of hair each time I shower. My oncologist says I won't go bald, but it's still really frustrating.
3.7Patient Review
7/7/2022 Recently, I've been experiencing some bothersome symptoms. I'm currently looking into the potential side effects of a drug that was prescribed to me.
3.7Patient Review
11/16/2020 I had breast cancer and was prescribed Letrozole. After seven months of treatment, I began running low-grade fevers and having hot flashes. I've been in and out of the hospital for various tests, but doctors can't seem to figure out why this is happening. It could be a side effect of the Letrozole. The doctor wants me to stop taking it for a few weeks to see if the symptoms improve. If they do, then they'll discontinue the drug. The doctor claims that stopping the medication will not increase my chances of cancer returning by much. Has this happened to anyone else?
3Patient Review
4/7/2022 Letrozole has been tough for me to handle. The hot flashes are really bad and my sex drive has tanked since starting this medication. So far I haven't had too much joint or muscle pain, but it's still early days.
2.3Patient Review
10/15/2020 After taking Letrozole for four months, my side effects worsened each month. It would take me an hour and a half to fall asleep at night, and then I would wake up after only two hours of sleep. Additionally, I experienced breast pain and dizziness. I stopped taking the medication at that point, and it's been a month since I discontinued use. The dizziness is just now starting to go away. Has anyone else had problems with being dizzy?
2Patient Review
9/30/2021 I took this medication for six months and then stopped because the joint pains were too severe. All of my joints were affected, but my hands hurt the most. I developed trigger finger in my right ring finger and now I'm seeing a hand specialist. My doctor said that most of my symptoms will go away when I stop taking the medication, except for the trigger finger.
1Patient Review
12/17/2019 Letrozole has caused me a range of terrible symptoms including flu-like feeling, nausea and vomiting, constipation, and an inability to sleep. My legs are also unsteady which has led to dizziness. I have stopped taking this medication without telling my oncologist yet.
Patient Q&A Section about letrozole
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." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer
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." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer
What is letrozole used for?
"Letrozole is a medication used in the treatment of [breast cancer](https://www.withpower.com/clinical-trials/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." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer
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." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer