A 44-year-old member asked:
what are some possible side effects of femara (letrozole)?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Barry Rosenanswered
General Surgery 34 years experience
Hot flashes, etc.: The most common side effects of Femara (letrozole) include hot flashes, joint pain, headaches, back pain, and increased sweating. Less common side effects include nausea, vomiting, weight changes, and constipation. Despite this laundry list of possibilities, in reality, most people tolerate Femara (letrozole) very well.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Marguerite Barnettanswered
Plastic Surgery 42 years experience
Several: Besides the risks of allergic reactions with rashes, breathing problems or shock, the most common side effects are muscle aches, weakness, hand/foot pain, trigger fingers, fatigue and interference with the sex life. Other effects include nausea, bowel disturbance, loss of appetite, hypertension, elevated cholesterol, edema, weight gain, dry mouth, hot flushes, coughing, sob and rashes.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Similar questions
A 40-year-old member asked:
Can you take femara (letrozole) with mucinix?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Quang Nguyenanswered
Specializes in Endocrinology
Yes: You can take both.
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Have there been any adverse interactions between femara (letrozole) and grapefuit?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Barry Rosenanswered
General Surgery 34 years experience
Indirectly: There is a substance in grapefruit that disables the enzyme responsible for metabolizing estrogen in our bodies; therefore, eating grapefruit may increase the body's levels of estrogen. Femara (letrozole) is used to inhibit the production of estrogen in the body as a treatment for hormone-sensitive breast cancer. Therefore, eating grapefruit in these circumstances may counteract what you are treating.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 27-year-old member asked:
Is letrozole different from tamoxifen?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Barry Rosenanswered
General Surgery 34 years experience
Yes.: Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator; Letrozole is an aromatase inhibitor. Both drugs are used to treat hormone-positive breast cancer patients. However, Letrozole can only be used after menopause. Furthermore, tamoxifen can also be used to prevent breast cancer in high-risk women.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 35-year-old member asked:
What are some alternate medicines for femara (letrozole)?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
A US doctor answeredLearn more
See full answer: Currently the alternatives to Femara (also known as letrozole) are Arimidex (anastrozole) and Aromasin (exemestane). All 3 belong to a class of medications known as aromatase inhibitors and can help reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence. Another type of medication, tamoxifen, is known as a selective estrogen receptor modulator, or serm - it is primarily used in premenopapusal women.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 28-year-old member asked:
What is the drug femara (letrozole) usually prescribed for?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Barry Rosenanswered
General Surgery 34 years experience
ER+ Breast CA: Femara (letrozole) is a member of a class of drugs called aromatase inhibitors which are very effective in the treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone-sensitive (estrogen receptor +) breast cancer. This may be used alone or in combination with traditional chemotherapy, depending on the cancer stage and the patient's health status.
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Last updated Jun 29, 2014
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