Femara
Letrozole
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Femara
Femara is an oral anti estrogen. Growth of some breast cancers in post menopausal women is helped by estrogen which circulates in the blood and estrogens are produced in the adrenal glands. Femara can inhibit the enzyme called aromatase in the adrenal glands that is responsible for the production of estrogens, estradiol and estrone. USFDA approved Femara in the year 1997.
Therapeutic Uses of Femara
Femara is used in the treatment of breast cancer in post menopausal women that are resistant to commonly used anti estrogens like tamoxifen (Nolvadex). Femara can also be used in patients of breast cancer after surgery, which is hormone sensitive.
Direction of use of Femara
Femara is taken orally once or twice a day, with food or without food as directed by doctor. Do not stop Femara unless your doctor tells you to stop. Keep taking other medicines as usual unless your doctor advice you otherwise.
If You Miss a Dose of Femara
If you miss a dose of Femara take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose because you miss it for long time, than skip the missed dose and take it as regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses of Femara because you missed one.
How to Store Femara
Femara should be stored at room temperature (59 to 86 degrees F or 15 to 30 degrees C). Keep Femara out of reach of children. It should be stored in a dry, cool and dark place in a tightly closed container.
More Information About Femara
If you have any question regarding Femara, you should ask your doctor or other health care provider. Never share Femara with others for whom it is not prescribed. It should be taken by the patient for whom it is prescribed.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Femara
You should inform your doctor if you have previous medical history of liver disease, allergy to any drug or food etc. Femara can cause drowsiness and you should be careful if you have to perform duties that require mental alertness or constant monitoring like driving, operating heavy machinery etc. If you take alcohol along with Femara, it can increase effects of drowsiness of Femara.
Do not take Femara during pregnancy or during breast feeding. If you become pregnant during treatment with Femara, consult with your doctor about the risks of using Femara during pregnancy. It is not known if this drug is secreted into breast milk, but you should consult with your doctor before breast feeding.
Possible Adverse Effects Femara
Femara is well tolerated, but there may be some common and minor side effects like nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, headache, drowsiness, dizziness etc. If these common side effects persists or become bothersome you should consult your doctor.
You should report immediately to your doctor or other health care provider if you get any of the serious side effects like chest pain, stomach pain, difficulty in breathing, hot flushes, skin rash, itching. You should also repot if you get very rare side effects like vision problems, vaginal bleeding; weakness, pain, redness or swelling of legs and hands. If you get any side effect that is not mentioned above, consult your doctor immediately.