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Introduction About FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET

FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET contains Letrozole which belongs to the group of medicines called Hormonal Chemotherapeutic agents. It is used for breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It can be given either as an initial therapy or following therapy with other medicines such as tamoxifen. It is also used for patients with advanced breast cancer with breast tumour spreading to other parts of the body. Breast cancer can be defined as the uncontrollable growth and division of cells present in the breast. It is predominantly caused due to hormonal imbalance (increased estrogen production) or due to lifestyle factors. Symptoms include breast pain or tenderness, purple or red colored breasts, nipple discharge and lump growths.

Before taking FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET inform your doctor if you have any problems in your kidneys or liver. You must also inform your doctor before taking FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET if you have a history of any bone problems such as osteoporosis or joint pain.

FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET is only intended for use in women who have reached their menopause. It is strictly not recommended for use in pregnant women as it may cause serious harm to the growing baby. The most common side effects of taking FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET are hot flushes, fatigue, increased sweating, joint pain, hair loss, vaginal bleeding, and high blood cholesterol levels. Talk to your doctor if any of these above side effect bothers you.

Uses Of FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET

It is used:

for breast cancer in postmenopausal women
as an initial therapy or following therapy with other medicines (such as tamoxifen)

How FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET Works

FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET contains Letrozole which is an aromatase inhibitor acts by blocking the actions of an enzyme called aromatase in the body which is involved in the production of estrogen. This suppresses the release of excessive estrogen in the body that triggers breast cancer. As a result, it slows down from growing and spreading to other parts of the body.

How to use FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET

Take FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.

Side Effects Of FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET

Serious

Stop taking FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:

Signs of blood clot (such as difficulty in breathing, fainting, rapid heart rate, chest pain, bluish skin discoloration, leg, or foot pain)
Tendon rupture causing bone pain, inflammation of the tendons
Severe persistent blurred vision
Severe fever, chills, or mouth ulcers due to infections
Swelling and redness along a vein which is tender painful when touched
Sudden onset of oppressive chest pain
Signs of a brain disorder or a stroke (weakness, paralysis, or numbness in any part of the body, loss of coordination, nausea, or difficulty in speaking or breathing)
Signs of allergic reactions (such as swelling of the face and throat)
Hepatitis (symptoms include loss of appetite, dark-colored urine, yellow skin and eyes, nausea)
Signs of serious skin reactions (such as skin rash, red skin, blistering and peeling of the skin, accompanied with fever)

Common

Hot flushes
Feeling weak or tired
Increased sweating
Joint pain, muscle pain
Skin rash
Headache, dizziness
Nausea, vomiting
Indigestion
Constipation
Diarrhoea
loss of appetite
Swelling of arms, hands, feet, ankles
weight gain
Depression
Hair loss, dry skin
Vaginal bleeding
Palpitations (rapid heartbeat)

Uncommon

Feeling anxious, nervous or irritated
Drowsiness
Memory problems, insomnia (lack of sleep)
Pain or burning sensation in the hands or wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome)
Impaired sensation of touch, tingling or numbness
Vaginal discharge or dryness
Breast pain
Thirst, taste disorder, dry mouth
Weight loss
Urinary tract infection, increased frequency of urination
Cough
Inflammation of the mouth and lips (stomatitis)

How To Manage Side Effects

Dizziness Or Drowsiness

Try to rest and relax. Get enough sleep. Avoid driving or operating any tools or machines completely while you are feeling dizzy. Consult your doctor if your dizziness worsens.

Headache

FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years or older). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

Others

FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET is not recommended for use if you:

have not gone through menopause

Before taking FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you have:

a history of bone fractures or osteoporosis
osteoporosis (weak bones) or joint inflammation

Interactions

A. Drug-Drug interactions:

Before taking FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines such as:

Other medicines used for cancer (Ex. tamoxifen, anastrozole)
Cimetidine (medicine used to manage stomach ulcer)
Warfarin (medicine used for blood thinning)

Over dosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally took more of FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital.

Synopsis

Drug	:	Letrozole
Pharmacological Category	:	Aromatase inhibitor
Therapeutic Indication	:	Breast cancer in postmenopausal women
Dosage Forms	:	Tablet, Capsule

More Information

Keep FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET out of reach of children
Store FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET at room temperature

FAQs About FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET

Q: How does FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET works?

A: FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET contains Letrozole which is an aromatase inhibitor acts by blocking the actions of an enzyme called aromatase in the body which is involved in the production of estrogen. This suppresses the release of excessive estrogen in the body that triggers breast cancer. As a result, it slows down from growing and spreading to other parts of the body.

Q: Can I take FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET during breastfeeding?

A: No. FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET is not recommended for use in breast-feeding women. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking.

Q: Can FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET cause headache?

A: Yes. FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET may cause headache in some individuals. If you experience headache, rest and relax. Drink plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes. Apply a pain-relieving balm on the head if required. Consult your doctor if your headache worsens.

Q: Can FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET increase the risk of infections?

A: FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET may cause a drop in the number of white blood cells in the body and may weaken your immune system. As a result, you may be at greater risk of getting infected while taking FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET. To avoid this, your doctor will regular monitor your blood counts as a precaution. However, inform your doctor if you experience any signs of infection such as fever.

Q: Can the use of FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET make me feel tired?

A: Yes. FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET may make you feel tired easily. This is because, it reduces the levels of red blood cells in your blood and may make you anaemic. Consult your doctor if you experience tiredness after taking FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET. Tiredness can also occur if you have any pre-existing disease conditions such as liver or kidney impairment while taking this medicine.

Q: Can I drive a car after taking FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET?

A: FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET may make you feel tired, dizzy, or drowsy. Therefore, do not drive or operate any heavy tools or machines if your ability is affected by FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET.

Q: How to take FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET?

A: Take FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine.

Q: What should I do if I forget to take a dose of FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET?

A: If you forget to take a dose of FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET, or vomited immediately after taking the dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take the medicine twice to make up for the forgotten dose.

Q: How to control nausea caused due to FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET?

A: Generally, anticancer medicines are associated with uncontrollable nausea and vomiting. To avoid this, your doctor would prescribe a suitable medicine to control them along with FEMARA 2.5MG TABLET. If not, consult your doctor for a suitable anti-emetic medicine. Do not self-manage nausea.

References

1. K.D. Tripathi, Essentials of medical pharmacology, Primary and secondary prevention of breast cancer. Chapter - Hormones and related drugs. Seventh Edition. 2013. Page – 314.

2. Dong-xu He Xin Ma, Clinical utility of letrozole in the treatment of breast cancer: a Chinese perspective. Onco Targets and Therapies. March 2016. [Accessed on November 08th, 2023] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4780194/pdf/ott-9-1077.pdf

3. Ajay S. Bhatnagar. The discovery and mechanism of action of letrozole. NIH: National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information. PMC, PubMed Central. 3 Oct 2007. [Accessed on November 08th, 2023] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2001216/

4. Accord Healthcare Ltd. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in Jan 2020] [Accessed on November 08th, 2023] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.6054.pdf

Useful Diagnostic Tests

Breast Cancer (CA 15.3/ ER/ PR)

Author Details

Written By Dr. Janet.C - Pharm.D

Reviewed For Accuracy By Dr. Rajnikant - MBBS, MD (Physiology)

Last updated on 21 Nov 2023 | 04:04 PM(IST)