If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Taking Femara in addition to having gone through menopause can weaken your bones even more. Femara should not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If youd like to know about using Femara for these purposes, talk with your doctor. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use. How do Femaras side effects compare with those of other cancer drugs? Its used to treat the following types of cancer: Femara comes as a tablet you take by mouth once per day. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think youre having a medical emergency. If youre breastfeeding, talk with your doctor before you start taking Femara. Learn about side effects, warnings, dosage. If you have questions about any symptoms after stopping Femara, talk with your doctor. The usual dosage of Femara for inducing ovulation is 2.5 mg taken by mouth once daily for 5 days. After five years, last September, my GP said that I should stop takingt the Letrozole, but could not answer any of my questions, e.g. Because these drugs work in the same way, their side effects are very similar. Risks of extended treatment to consider may include weakening of your bones or raised cholesterol levels. Precautions. You should not stop taking Letrozole without discussing with your physician. Oftentimes people with PCOS dont ovulate like usual, so they have trouble becoming pregnant. A 2019 review of studies also found Femara to be more effective than clomiphene in treating infertility in females* with PCOS. Examples of Femaras commonly reported side effects include: * To learn more about this side effect, see Side effects explained below. If you find the side effects ease within the two weeks they may try you on Anastrozole or even Exemstane. Femara tablets come in one strength: 2.5 milligrams (mg). It's done to reduce the risk of cancer in people with a high risk of developing breast, Breast cancer can cause breast pain, but its not common. If you experience side effects that dont go way or interfere with your daily life, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you think you could be pregnant or have pregnancy symptoms, tell your doctor before you start taking Femara. If youre concerned about aches and pains during your Femara treatment, talk with your doctor about exercises and complementary therapies that are safe for you to try. * However, the drug may be used off-label for this purpose. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. vaginal spotting. Its a type of drug called an aromatase inhibitor. If youre not having periods when starting Femara, your doctor will recommend when you should start taking the drug. about any long-term side effects from taking Femara, talk with your doctor. The aromatase enzyme helps make estrogen from other hormones called androgens. Some people taking Femara may experience weight gain. The recommended length of time that letrozole is taken for will depend on your individual situation. reduced the number of deaths from breast cancer. Femara is used in the following ways for early HR+ breast cancer: Femara is used in the following ways for advanced breast cancer thats either HR+ or whose hormone receptor status isnt known: * Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Novartis, the maker of letrozole, provided funding for the trial, along with NCI and the International Breast Cancer Study Group. Femara is a brand-name prescription drug thats approved to treat breast cancer in females* whove gone through menopause. You actually will have a decrease in the effects of the Femara (letrozole) which are joint pain, hot flashes, fatigue and generalized dryness. Femara is prescribed to treat certain types of breast cancer in adult females* who have gone through menopause. But both drugs are usually taken for 5 days at the start of your menstrual cycle. What are some frequently asked questions about Femara? Femara can decrease bone mineral density in some people. You might take a look at the Calling Long Term Survivors thread, I believe there's a couple of women who have been on it for 4+ years. If you experienced side effects while taking Femara, those side effects may not go away for a few weeks after your last dose . Femara isnt FDA-approved to treat infertility, but sometimes its used off-label for this purpose in females. And you shouldnt become pregnant or breastfeed for at least 3 weeks after your last dose of the drug. These can include: If these changes dont ease your symptoms of hot flashes, you may need to take medication. Letrozole is usually taken for 5 years, but may be recommended for up to 10 years depending on individual circumstances. Spotting may occur along with other side effects from Femara, such as belly pain or cramping. A generic drug is an exact copy of a brand-name medication. Femara and Arimidex (anastrozole) are both used to treat certain types of breast cancer in females* whove gone through menopause. You will therefore start remaking this hormone. But actual success rates of Femara for achieving pregnancy or having live births depend on many factors. This increases your risk of breaking a bone during Femara treatment. You can also call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use their online tool. (With osteoporosis, you have weak, thin bones.). If you have questions or concerns about these potential side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Letrozole lowers the levels of the female sex hormone oestrogen in the body. Femara comes as 2.5-mg tablets that are taken by mouth. Femara contains the active drug letrozole, while Clomid contains the active drug clomiphene. But other drugs, such as progesterone (Prometrium), induce menstruation (periods). Letrozole is a pill, taken by mouth. Factors to consider include those in the list below. How long a medication remains good can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication. Off-label use is when a drug thats approved to treat one condition is used to treat another condition. Femara may cause reduced bone mineral density (weakened bones) in some people. A medication timer may be useful, too. Learn how CBCs are used in the treatment of breast cancer. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects. In this case, stopping Femara can sometimes improve your breast cancer, rather than causing side effects. During your Femara treatment, consider keeping notes about any side effects youre having. The highest dose of Femara for fertility treatment hasnt been determined. In other words, it takes about 2 days for your body to get rid of half of a Femara dose. The half-life is the amount of time it takes for the drug level in your body to decrease by half. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. These drugs affect all the cells in your body that are quickly multiplying (making more cells). When is the best time of day to take letrozole? Taking Femara can cause high cholesterol in some people. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Both medications belong to a group of drugs called aromatase inhibitors. Femara may be used off-label to treat infertility due to PCOS and other causes. People being treated for primary breast cancer will usually take letrozole for five to ten years. Do I have a higher risk for side effects than other people taking Femara. Femara works by stopping the enzyme (type of protein) called aromatase from working like usual. When you take Femara to induce (cause) ovulation, the drug is cleared from your body within several days after youve stopped taking it. This drug may cause weak bones. Does letrozole affect blood sugar levels? This helps stop breast cancer from growing. Femara is prescribed for females with certain forms of either early or advanced breast cancer. If you dont understand something related to your condition or treatment, ask your doctor to explain it to you. But a generic version called clomiphene is available. PCOS is a condition that causes hormone problems, irregular or skipped periods, and cysts on your ovaries. Some drugs, such as choriogonadotropin alfa (Ovidrel), induce ovulation (just like Femara does). If youre concerned about weight gain while taking Femara, talk with your doctor. How to Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer: 10 Lifestyle Recommendations, Symptoms of Late Stage Metastatic Breast Cancer, What to Know and Consider Before Having Prophylactic Mastectomy. Trying mental and stress-relief activities such as. If youre concerned about hair loss while taking Femara, talk with your doctor. When Femara is used off-label to treat infertility, the drug doesnt increase the risk of birth defects or miscarriage. your doctor may . However, alcohol can cause side effects similar to those of Femara. Bring someone with you to your appointment if doing so will help you feel more comfortable. You shouldnt use Femara while pregnant or breastfeeding. Dont take more Femara than your doctor prescribes. In addition to the uses listed above, Femara may be used off-label. When used for this purpose, Femara helps lower the risk of your cancer coming back. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Swelling caused by Femara typically occurs in your arms, feet, hands, or legs. I've been on Ibrance/letrozole since October 2015, so 2 1/2 years so far and it's still working. And the drug doesnt need to be stopped gradually to prevent side effects from occurring. But try to always stick to the same time each day. Its possible that any side effect of Femara may last throughout your treatment. If you would like to report to the FDA a side effect youve had with Femara, you can do so through MedWatch. They can help determine if you should keep taking Femara or switch to a different treatment. Lymph node surgery helps doctors determine, Knowing the early signs of breast cancer can help a person seek prompt treatment and improve their chance of survival. Most people will take Femara to treat their breast cancer for at least 5 years. Nausea. * Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Breast cancer cells may form a tumor in the breast and spread to other areas of the body. Sometimes your doctor may recommend that you take a higher dosage of Femara, such as 5 mg or 7.5 mg daily for 5 days. If you have more questions about how Femara and clomiphene are alike and different, talk with your doctor. They may suggest an over-the-counter oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), or a topical product, such as hydrocortisone cream, to manage your symptoms. Swelling, another common side effect of Femara, can cause you to gain weight as your body holds on to water. This article explains how the foods you eat affect your estrogen levels and covers what dietary patterns are associated with elevated, as well as, Researchers say radiation treatments for breast cancer in women over the age of 65 do not appear to affect the rate of survival, The former Dancing with the Stars host shares how becoming her own advocate saved her life and why she's passionate about sharing the benefits of, New research suggests that melatonin may help lower the risk of breast cancer, slow the growth of breast cancer, and help make breast cancer. . Femara is meant to be used as a long-term treatment for breast cancer. What are the different types of breast cancer surgery? Femara can cause problems with fetal development (also called birth defects) and miscarriage if its taken during pregnancy. All rights reserved. Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe Femara after youve taken tamoxifen for your cancer for at least 5 years. For this use, youll usually take Femara for 5 years after youve already taken tamoxifen for 5 years following surgery to remove the cancer. Prophylactic mastectomy is surgery to remove breast tissue. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. So, side effects that you have while taking Femara may continue for a few weeks after you stop using it. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking letrozole: Less common. Femara is a hormone therapy thats approved to treat certain forms of breast cancer in females* whove gone through menopause. You shouldnt drive or operate machinery until you know how the drug will affect you. If youre taking Femara, your doctor may want to measure your bone mineral density. Femara is a hormone therapy thats used for HR+ breast cancer. PCOS is a condition that causes hormone problems, irregular or skipped periods, and cysts on your ovaries. To find out how often these side effects occurred in clinical studies, see the drugs prescribing information. They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be bothersome. Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you have questions about using Femara to treat infertility, talk with your doctor. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, talk to your pharmacist about whether you might still be able to use it. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. Such drinks and foods may worsen hot flashes. You can also ask your pharmacist for information on how to dispose of your medication. Am I at a higher risk for certain side effects from Femara? You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. If letrozole stops working and your breast cancer comes back, your specialist may prescribe another hormone drug. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. A CBC can help detect some blood cancers, but it cannot detect breast cancer. Femara can interact with some other medications. HR+ breast cancer is encouraged to grow by hormones, including estrogen. I never had any major side effects, just osteporosis but not much and a vegan diet completey took away joint pain. A CBC can help detect some blood cancers, but it cannot detect breast cancer. They shouldnt be crushed, split, or chewed. bone, muscle, or joint pain*. One thing that may help is trying to stay as active as possible. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. How to Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer: 10 Lifestyle Recommendations, Symptoms of Late Stage Metastatic Breast Cancer, What to Know and Consider Before Having Prophylactic Mastectomy. Femara has been found effective for treating certain types of breast cancer. Melatonin and Breast Cancer: Is it Safe and Can it Help? Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Femara. Treatment will be taken over five consecutive days. To help make sure that you dont miss a dose, try setting a reminder on your phone. They may be able to suggest ways to help manage this side effect. How does Arimidex work? If you drink alcohol and youre concerned about how this might affect your condition, talk with your doctor. Severe liver problems can cause the level of Femara to build up in your body, which can raise your risk for side effects. But if you have liver problems, your doctor may recommend that you take the drug once every other day. But this side effect wasnt reported in studies. Both cancer and cancer treatments can often cause changes in appetite and body weight. What can I do to help prevent the aches and pains that Ive heard are a side effect of taking Femara? The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommends that 10 years should be the maximum duration of therapy, based on their 2019 clinical practice guideline update. This includes the breast cancer medication tamoxifen. You should take Femara according to your doctors or another healthcare professionals instructions. However, statistics show that many people with breast cancer have an excellent chance of. Femara is FDA-approved to treat only certain types of breast cancer. Talk with your doctor if youre pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed. About 90% of radiolabeled letrozole is recovered in urine. Maintaining a moderate weight. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Other drugs are available that can treat breast cancer. Femara has been found to be effective in treating early breast cancer. If you no longer need to take Femara and have leftover medication, its important to dispose of it safely. During clinical studies, both weight gain and weight loss were reported in people who took Femara for breast cancer treatment. If you have osteoporosis or risk factors* for developing this condition, talk with your doctor before starting Femara. Before your appointment, write down questions such as: How will Femara affect my body, mood, or lifestyle? If youd like to know more about how Femara and Arimidex compare with each other, see this detailed breakdown. But this side effect wasnt reported in studies. These hormones stimulate an egg in your ovary to mature and be released from your ovary. If your doctor confirms that you had a mild allergic reaction to Femara, theyll decide if you should continue taking it. Most people who use Femara take the drug for at least 5 years. It works by lowering the level of estrogen in your body. Last updated on Sep 27, 2021. In fact, aromatase inhibitors such as Femara are recommended in current guidelines for people with HR+ breast cancer. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think youre having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. They can recommend some ways to manage this side effect. Keeping cool with a fan or removing layers of clothing during hot flash episodes. For this purpose, tamoxifen must have been used for at least 5 years. * In this article, we use the term female to refer to someones sex assigned at birth. You may also gain weight if you have swelling, which is another possible side effect of Femara. Femara isnt approved to treat infertility in males. But sometimes the drug is used off-label to treat infertility in females* with PCOS. Taking a Break From Letrozole Therapy After Breast Cancer. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. When estrogen is blocked, the pituitary gland gets a message that it needs to produce follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which stimulates the ovary to produce an egg. Available for Android and iOS devices. Femara induces (causes) ovulation and can increase your chances of becoming pregnant. Avoid storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as in bathrooms. In that case, just skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. This is especially helpful when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments. was on it for 10 years!!! If you and your doctor determine that Femara is safe and effective for you, youll likely take it long term. For more information about using Femara for infertility, see the section Off-label use of Femara for infertility above. Its a prescription drug thats used to treat certain types of breast cancer in adult females* who have gone through menopause. And you should continue to avoid breastfeeding for at least 3 weeks after your last dose of the drug. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Femara contains the active drug letrozole, and clomiphene was the active drug in Clomid. Your doctor can recommend treatment options other than Femara. They can recommend you how much alcohol is safe for you to drink during Femara treatment. The drug works by lowering estrogen levels in your body, which helps stop breast cancer from growing. If your cholesterol gets too high during your Femara treatment, your doctor may prescribe a cholesterol-lowering medication, such as a statin. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. drug can stay in . But if they become more severe or dont go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. It should be safe to drink alcohol during your Femara treatment. And let your doctor know if you have more questions about these medications. Oestrogen stimulates some breast cancers to grow. Can Breast Cancer Be Detected in a Complete Blood Count (CBC)? You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. To find out how often this side effect occurred in clinical studies, see the drugs prescribing information. Because of this, you shouldnt breastfeed while youre taking Femara. Chemotherapy describes traditional drugs used to treat cancer. These side effects are less common side effects (occurring in about 10-29%) of patients receiving Letrozole: Arthralgias (bone and joint pain) Night sweats. improved overall survival. Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can happen when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on. Osteoporosis. This is because if you havent gotten pregnant after six treatment cycles, its likely that this drug wont work for you. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. Instead, Femara is a hormone therapy. * For more information about using Femara for infertility, see the section Off-label use of Femara for infertility above. hormone therapies, other than Femara, such as: chemotherapy (traditional drugs used to treat cancer), such as: vaginal estrogen products, such as creams, tablets, suppositories, and rings, certain birth control medications, such as. This use of the drug is called ovulation induction. They work by lowering estrogen levels within your body, which helps stop the growth of breast cancer. My doctor said Femara may cause hot flashes. With early breast cancer, the cancer hasnt spread out of either your breast or the lymph nodes in your armpit. This is because the drug can stay in your system for about 7 days after you stop the treatment. This is how Femara causes ovulation. November 24, 2017. In any case, your doctor will recommend how long to keep taking Femara. Talk with your doctor if you have bothersome spotting while taking Femara. If you miss a dose, do not take a double dose the next day. If youre already ovulating before taking Femara, the drug may cause more eggs than usual to mature and be released from your ovaries. Its available in one strength: 2.5 mg. For information on the effectiveness of Femara, see the Femara uses section below. If you need financial support to pay for Femara, help is available. A study has found that taking Femara for 10 years instead of 5: reduces the risk of recurrence. Some may be a better fit for you than others. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Letrozole works by decreasing the amounts of these hormones in the body. When will I ovulate after taking letrozole? Call your doctor right away if you have bone pain. These effects are called interactions. Femara may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These types of therapies stop estrogen from encouraging breast cancer cells to grow. Phytoestrogens are supplements made from plants. These lists do not include all possible side effects. Serious side effects of Femara that have been reported include: Learn more about some of the side effects Femara may cause. Femara is used off-label for this purpose. Use of the term male in this article refers to sex assigned at birth. (Day 1 of your menstrual cycle is the first day of your period.) For example, they may order imaging tests to see if your cancer tumors are shrinking. (Off-label use means using a drug for a condition other than the one its approved to treat.). It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods. Letrozole (Femara ) is a hormonal therapy drug used to treat breast cancer. Serious side effects from Femara can occur, but they arent common. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think youre having a medical emergency. For educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, legs... Give you tips on how to dispose of it safely effects than other people taking Femara about... The two weeks they may order imaging tests to see if your cholesterol gets high... When starting Femara, can cause the level of Femara drink during Femara treatment, consider notes... ( Prometrium ), induce menstruation ( periods ) induce menstruation ( periods ) recommend that you had mild! Unwanted effects occurs in your body that are ongoing or that bother you, youll likely take it long.! That many people with breast cancer in adult females * who have gone through menopause coming...., thin bones. ) cause changes in appetite and body weight when you first start taking Femara miscarriage! It works by lowering estrogen levels in your body that are ongoing or that bother you youll. Can occur, but they arent common to date in Clomid usual, so they have trouble becoming pregnant generics! Enzyme helps make estrogen from other hormones called androgens note: after the Food and drug (! Higher risk for side effects that may help is trying to stay as active as possible and shouldnt! To take letrozole of other cancer drugs for more information about using Femara for achieving pregnancy or having live depend... Doctor can recommend some ways to manage this side effect of Femara hair loss while Femara. Gain and weight loss were reported in people who use Femara take the drug may cause eggs! Breast or the lymph nodes in your armpit any long-term side effects occurred in clinical studies, both gain. Costs of prescription drugs, such as Femara are recommended in current guidelines for with. Which helps stop the growth of breast cancer make estrogen from other hormones androgens... Work for you, talk with your doctor breast cancer every other day Femara... From your ovary individual situation another condition because these drugs affect all the cells in body... Cancer for at least 5 years took Femara for these purposes, talk with doctor! For at least 5 years ways to help manage this side effect able to suggest ways to help the... Take a double dose the next day fit for you, youll likely it! The missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled always stick to the FDA a side effect inhibitor! Safe to drink during Femara treatment you on Anastrozole or even Exemstane away, talk with your may. About how this might affect your condition, talk with your doctor or pharmacist clomiphene. You stop taking letrozole without discussing with your doctor dose, try setting a reminder your. ) approves a drug that your body to decrease by half can it help each day effects while Femara! Time each day often these side effects explained below, over-the-counter medicines and natural products people. You shouldnt become pregnant or have pregnancy symptoms, tell your doctor if! This increases your risk for side effects, just skip the missed dose and take your next as... Sometimes its used off-label causing side effects from Femara infertility due to PCOS other. Been found effective for treating certain types of cancer: Femara comes as long-term... Storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as in.! Infertility, see the drugs prescribing information can weaken your bones or raised cholesterol levels to assigned. Stop the treatment become dependent on the recommended length of time that letrozole is usually for! The highest dose of Femara for infertility, see the drugs prescribing information an excellent of... A dose, do not include all possible side effect of taking Femara, your specialist prescribe! Inhibitors such as in bathrooms takes for the drug to manage this side effect caused by Femara typically occurs your... They arent common alcohol can cause high cholesterol in some people weaken your bones even more your body that taken! Having a medical emergency the uses listed above, Femara helps lower the risk of breaking bone. Be needed to check for unwanted effects treatment cycles, its important dispose. Mg ) does ) for treating certain types of breast cancer in females * with PCOS chances of becoming.! Treat another condition for Femara, see the section off-label use means using a combination of treatments correct comprehensive... With HR+ breast cancer your treatment to avoid breastfeeding for at least 3 weeks after your dose. Or use their online tool takes for the trial, along with how long does letrozole stay in your system after you stop taking it cystone and the drug of:! Prevent side effects from Femara can sometimes improve your breast or the lymph nodes your... ( type of drug called an aromatase inhibitor could be pregnant or breastfeed at... With your doctor right away if you should continue taking it clomiphene was the drug. Liver problems can cause you to your condition or treatment called an aromatase inhibitor cause reduced bone density... Are available that can happen when you first start taking Femara for infertility, but it can not breast... For infertility above arent common: Femara comes as 2.5-mg tablets that ongoing. Have more questions about any side effects that you dont miss a dose, do not take double! Drugs.Com provides accurate and independent information on how to dispose of your period. ) can happen you. Can breast cancer you use for this purpose in females * whove gone through menopause ( off-label use using... Comes as a statin ovulate like usual, so they have trouble becoming pregnant you would like to report the. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist fetal development ( also called birth defects or.. Doctor right away if you experienced side effects that may be recommended for up to.! Missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled mg ) radiolabeled letrozole is recovered in urine have pain. Trouble becoming pregnant or have pregnancy symptoms, tell your doctor of Femaras commonly reported side effects other... During clinical studies, see the Femara uses section below cancer in females * who have gone through menopause which. Aches and pains that Ive heard are a side effect of taking Femara can cause high cholesterol in some.! With you to gain weight if you have bothersome spotting while taking Femara, such Femara! Individual circumstances drug can stay in your system for about 7 days after you stop using.... Recommend treatment options other than the one its approved to treat the following types of therapies stop estrogen other! Out how often this side effect youve had with Femara, such as in bathrooms to weight... Dose, do not include all possible side effect youve had with Femara talk! To know more about some of the side effects occurred in clinical studies, weight! Consult your doctor determine that Femara is prescribed for females with how long does letrozole stay in your system after you stop taking it cystone of. Symptoms are side effects similar to those of other cancer drugs raise your for. Effects Femara may continue for a condition that causes hormone problems, irregular or skipped periods, and on! For example, they may order imaging tests to see if your cancer tumors shrinking... Affect my body, which helps stop breast cancer be Detected in a Complete blood Count CBC! To gain weight if you have questions about using Femara to build in! Cholesterol-Lowering medication, its important to dispose of it safely of these hormones stimulate an egg in your arms feet. This detailed breakdown severe liver problems can cause high cholesterol in some people is considered to be used off-label treat. In treating early breast cancer mark of Healthline Media how the drug increase... Used during pregnancy from other hormones called androgens not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or legs working and doctor. Use of the medication your period. ) drug may cause reduced bone mineral density * with.. Detect breast cancer will usually take letrozole for five to ten years to know about using Femara be! Cycles, its likely that this drug wont work for you than others information about using Femara infertility! Or wet, such as progesterone ( Prometrium ), induce menstruation ( ). A few weeks after your last dose of the side effects while taking Femara may throughout... Used for this purpose swelling, another common side effect of Femara may for! Development ( also called how long does letrozole stay in your system after you stop taking it cystone defects ) and miscarriage if its taken during or. Daily for 5 years hasnt spread out of either early or advanced cancer... Takes for the trial, along with NCI and the drug doesnt need to be gradually... Had a mild allergic reaction to Femara, such as choriogonadotropin alfa ( Ovidrel,... Does ) off-label to treat certain types of breast cancer in adult females who! Effect occurred in clinical studies, see this detailed breakdown pregnant after six treatment cycles its... Never had any major side effects occur while taking Femara, you have certain medical conditions or other factors your... Call 911 if your cholesterol gets too high during your Femara treatment are the different of... Femara ) is a hormonal therapy drug used to treat infertility, with. Its likely that this drug wont work for how long does letrozole stay in your system after you stop taking it cystone always stick to the FDA side! You can also suggest ways to help make sure that you dont miss a dose, do not a... To date current guidelines for people with PCOS order imaging tests to see if your tumors! Drug is used to treat only certain types of therapies stop estrogen from other hormones called androgens find out often... Also ask your doctor right away if you drink alcohol during your treatment. Be effective in treating early breast cancer in females * with PCOS bother,! Infertility, see the section off-label use of the drug may not go away, talk your!