Femara (letrozole)

What is Femara?:

Femara is a chemotherapy drug used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal estrogen receptor positive breast cancer patients. It's generic name is letrozole.

How does Femara fight breast cancer?:

Femara is classified as a aromatase inhibitor. Femara doesn't allow the enzyme aromatase to convert adrogens into estrogen. Without estrogen, the tumor cannot grow and can shrink.

Femara Side Effects:

Femara has no relatively no common side effects. Side effects that may be experienced include hot flashes, bone and joint pain, nausea, fatigue, and back pain.

Is the drug safe for pregnant women?:

No. Femara is intended for postmenopausal women. Harm to a fetus may occur while taking this drug if pregnant.

How is Femara given?:

Femara is given in pill form and can be taken with or without food.

Contact your doctor if:

you experience nausea/vomiting that in not relieved by medicine or interferes with taking the medication, fatigue that interferes with care or is extreme, and any pain that is unusual for you.