FEMARA 2.5MG contains Letrozole which belongs to the group of medicines called Hormonal Chemotherapeutic agents. It is used to treat and prevent breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It can be given either as an initial therapy or following therapy with other medicines such as tamoxifen. It can also be used to prevent breast tumor from spreading to other parts of the body in patients with advanced breast cancer.
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.
Letrozole is an aromatase inhibitor. It reduces breast cancer by suppressing the excessive release of estrogen (a female sex hormone) in the body that triggers breast cancer. This slows down or stops the cancer from growing and spreading to other parts of the body. Before taking FEMARA 2.5MG inform your doctor if you have any problems in your kidneys or liver. You must also inform your doctor before taking FEMARA 2.5MG if you have a history of any bone problems such as osteoporosis or joint pain.
FEMARA 2.5MG 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 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 side effect bothers you.
FEMARA 2.5MG is a hormonal chemotherapy medicine. It contains letrozole which is an aromatase inhibitor. It acts by blocking the actions of an enzyme called aromatase in the body which is involved in the production of estrogen (a female sex hormone). This suppresses the release of excessive estrogen in the body that triggers breast cancer. As a result, it slows down or stops the cancer from growing and spreading to other parts of the body.
Take FEMARA 2.5MG as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. FEMARA 2.5MG can be taken with or without food.
Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition. Continue to take FEMARA 2.5MG for the stipulated duration instructed by your doctor to achieve better results.
Stop taking FEMARA 2.5MG and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
Skin rash:
Avoid hot showers because hot water can irritate your skin further. Do not scratch the affected area. Use protective clothing when going outdoors. Regularly moisturize your skin. Consult your doctor if your skin rash worsens.
Headache:
Rest and relax. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes. Applying a pain-relieving balm on your forehead can be beneficial. Consult your doctor if your headache worsens.
Dizziness:
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.
FEMARA 2.5MG is intended for use in postmenopausal women. It should not be used by pregnant women as it may cause serious harm to the growing baby. Women who are in pre-menopause or has childbearing potential should use a suitable contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy while taking FEMARA 2.5MG.
FEMARA 2.5MG is not recommended for use in breast-feeding women. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
Do not drive or operate any machines if you feel dizzy, tired, drowsy or generally unwell after taking FEMARA 2.5MG.
Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking FEMARA 2.5MG to avoid unwanted reactions.
FEMARA 2.5MG should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney diseases. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
FEMARA 2.5MG should be used with caution in patients with severe liver diseases. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
Do not take FEMARA 2.5MG if you are allergic to letrozole.
FEMARA 2.5MG is not recommended for use if you:
Before taking FEMARA 2.5MG, inform your doctor if you have:
Use in Pediatrics:
FEMARA 2.5MG is not recommended for use in children and adolescents (aged below 18 years). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
Use in Geriatrics:
FEMARA 2.5MG should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years or older). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
A. Drug - Drug interactions:
Before taking FEMARA 2.5MG inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines such as:
Over dosage:
If you or anyone else accidentally took more FEMARA 2.5MG, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital.
Drug | : | Letrozole |
Pharmacological Category | : | Aromatase inhibitor |
Therapeutic Indication | : | Breast cancer in postmenopausal women |
Dosage Forms | : | Tablet, Capsule |
How does FEMARA 2.5MG works?
FEMARA 2.5MG is a hormonal chemotherapy medicine. It contains letrozole which is an aromatase inhibitor. It acts by blocking the actions of an enzyme called aromatase in the body which is involved in the production of estrogen (a female sex hormone). This suppresses the release of excessive estrogen in the body that triggers breast cancer. As a result, it slows down or stops the cancer from growing and spreading to other parts of the body.
Can I take FEMARA 2.5MG during breastfeeding?
No. FEMARA 2.5MG is not recommended for use in breast-feeding women. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking.
Can FEMARA 2.5MG cause headache?
Yes. FEMARA 2.5MG 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. Do not consume alcohol. Consult your doctor if your headache worsens.
Can FEMARA 2.5MG increase the risk of infections?
FEMARA 2.5MG 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. 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.
Can the use of FEMARA 2.5MG make me feel tired?
Yes. FEMARA 2.5MG 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. Tiredness can also occur if you have any pre-existing disease conditions such as liver or kidney impairment while taking this medicine.
Can I drive a car after taking FEMARA 2.5MG?
FEMARA 2.5MG 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.
How to take FEMARA 2.5MG?
Take FEMARA 2.5MG as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. FEMARA 2.5MG can be taken with or without food.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose of FEMARA 2.5MG?
If you forget to take a dose of FEMARA 2.5MG, 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.
How to control nausea caused due to FEMARA 2.5MG?
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. If not, consult your doctor for a suitable anti-emetic medicine. Do not self-treat nausea.
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 20th May 2022] 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 20 May 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2001216/
4. Accord Healthcare Ltd. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in Jan 2020] [Accessed 20 May 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.6054.pdf
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