How does Femara (Letrozole) work:

Femara (Letrozole) is used to treat breast cancer in women who are post-menopausal - that is, women who no longer have periods, either naturally due to their age or after surgery or chemotherapy.

Femara belongs to a family of medicines called aromatase inhibitors. They are also called "antioestrogens" because they act by reducing the production of oestrogen in your body. Oestrogen stimulates the growth of certain types of breast cancer. These cancers are called "oestrogen-dependent." Reducing the production of oestrogen may help to keep the cancer from growing. This may be the first time you are taking an "antioestrogen" such as Femara or you may have taken another "antioestrogen" such as tamoxifen in the past.

Dosage & Administration:

Follow the directions given to you by your physician and pharmacist carefully.

The usual dose is one Femara tablet daily. Swallow the tablet with a glass of water or other liquid. If your stomach is upset after taking the tablet, take it with a meal or after a snack. Your physician will check your progress to make sure the medicine is working and will decide how long your treatment should continue.

If you forget to take it and if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take the dose as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your tablet as you would normally. Do not take a double dose to make up for the one that you missed.

Side Effects:

Tell your physician immediately or go to hospital if you notice any of the following:

• signs that blood clots may have formed, such as sudden severe headache, sudden loss of coordination, blurred vision or sudden loss of vision, slurred speech, numbness or tingling in an arm or leg, painful swelling in the calves or thighs, chest pain, difficulty breathing, coughing
• constant "flu-like" symptoms (chills, fever, sore throat, sores in mouth, swollen glands, tiredness or lack of energy) that could be a sign of blood problems
• tightness or feeling of heaviness in the chest or pain radiating from your chest to your arms or shoulders, neck, teeth or jaw, abdomen or back (sign of angina pectoris or heart attack)
• numbness or weakness in arm or leg or any part of the body, loss of coordination vision changes, sudden headache, nausea, difficulty speaking or breathing (sign of stroke)

Tell your physician if any of the following side effects worry you:

• swelling of the feet or ankles
• skin rash, itching or dry skin
• pain in the muscles, joints or bones
• vaginal spotting or bleeding
• whitish
• thick vaginal discharge
• vaginal dryness
• headache
• fever
• weakness or dizziness
• difficulty sleeping
• numbness or tingling in hands or feet
• mood changes such as anxiety and depression
• forgetfulness
• change in sense of taste
• blurred vision or eye irritation
• stomach upset
• nausea or vomiting
• pain in the abdomen
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• dry mouth
• sore mouth
• mouth ulcers
• cold sores
• increased thirst
• breast pain
• hot flushes
• increased sweating
• appetite or weight changes
• hair thinning
• urgent need to urinate
• pain or burning sensation when urinating
• fast or irregular heartbeats
• thinning of bones
• hypercholesterolemia
• abnormal liver function test results
• disturbed physical sensitivity

Precaution:

Do not take Femara if you are still having periods. This medicine is only used in women who are no longer having periods. Do not take Femara if you are pregnant or breast feeding. It may affect your baby if you take it while you are pregnant or breast feeding. Do not take Femara after the use by (expiry) date printed on the pack. If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work or it may make you unwell.

Tell your physician if you have severe kidney or liver disease. Your physician may want to take special precautions while you are taking this medicine. Tell your physician if you are allergic to any other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives. Your physician will want to know if you are prone to allergies.