A thick, white vaginal discharge with the consistency of cottage cheese. Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. Common letrozole side effects include hot flashes and night sweats. Warnings You should not use letrozole if you are pregnant. In addition, Oxytrol (oxybutynin) is only moderately effective for relieving overactive bladder symptoms--like all drugs in its class--and it can cause dry mouth and constipation. It is used to treat breast cancer in women who have gone through menopause. Before taking letrozole, talk with your doctor about your overall health and any other medical conditions you have. They are most common among people with weak immune systems. Speak to your GP or specialist if you have any of these symptoms. If you have questions about taking letrozole with other drugs, talk with your doctor. In clinical studies, people with liver disease had higher levels of letrozole in their body. Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Mild pain relief such as paracetamol may help with headaches. Anastrozole and bladder pain. Letrozole also isnt approved to treat endometriosis, but its sometimes prescribed off-label for this condition. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or use its online resource. But sometimes, metformin is given together with clomiphene to help treat infertility in females with PCOS. This article looks at 8 home remedies, including probiotics, natural yogurt, and tea tree oil. Its also important to keep active and eat a high-fibre diet to avoid constipation. A healthy diet and exercise can help lower your cholesterol. Additionally, you can find information about weight management here. Brisk walking can also be beneficial. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia "APPGuide online. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article. If youd like more information about how letrozole compares with Arimidex, see this detailed breakdown. Call your doctor right away if you have bone pain. Femara is available in generic form. But it can treat other forms of infertility, as well. Talk with your doctor if you have more questions about the differences and similarities between letrozole and tamoxifen. European Journal of Cancer. So, dont be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment. Letrozole oral tablets can interact with several types of drugs. For other home remedies for quick headache relief, check out this article. Check whether Urinary tract infection is associated with a drug or a condition, Urinary tract infection and drugs with ingredients of letrozole, Agranulocytosis (a deficiency of granulocytes in the blood, causing increased vulnerability to infection), Urinary tract infection in Moderna COVID Vaccine, Urinary tract infection in Pfizer BioNTech Covid Vaccine, Urinary tract infection in Johnson and Johnson Covid Vaccine, Plan B and Lithium Carbonate drug interaction, Lung Cancer Metastatic and Metastases To Meninges, Folic Acid and Fluvastatin Sodium drug interaction, Nicotinamide and Aripiprazole drug interaction, Gaviscon and Blood Alkaline Phosphatase Increased, Vitamins and Mibelas 24 Fe drug interaction. You may develop a skin rash while taking letrozole. All rights reserved. Some people who have taken oxybutynin medicines by mouth have had to be hospitalized. Among them, 1,159 people (2.91%) have Urinary tract infection. Keep using birth control for at least 3 weeks after your last dose of letrozole. Small cuts or tiny cracks in the skin of your vulva because of fragile skin in the area. Results of our real-world drug study have been referenced on 600+ medical publications, including The Lancet, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, and Nature. Call 911 or seek emergency medical care if you notice symptoms of a serious letrozole side effect. Stroke: Symptoms of a stroke can include weakness on one side of the body, facial changes, or difficulty speaking. blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin, holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact, seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there. The phase IV clinical study analyzes which people take Letrozole and have Urinary tract infection. Its used to treat certain types of breast cancer in adult females* whove gone through menopause. Some studies show that turmeric may help fight infections and some cancers. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." (2009). Also, you can apply an ice pack or heat pad to your head to help ease the headache. Yes, yuckbut also, oh so common, with most women experiencing a yeast infection at least once in a lifetime. You should not use letrozole if you are allergic to it. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. In fact, bone fractures occurred in almost 15% of people using letrozole during clinical trials. If youd like to know more about using Femara instead of letrozole oral tablets, talk with your doctor. Everyone reacts differently to drugs and some people have more side effects than others. Letrozole may cause weight gain. Letrozole - side effects. Trademarks, brands, logos, and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. These can occur in more than 1 in 10 women who take letrozole. In studies of letrozole for PCOS-related infertility, about 20% reported this side effect. Report this post. (2021). Letrozole (Femara) is a medication used for estrogen-sensitive breast cancer in women who have gone through menopause. skin hypersensitivity. Letrozole causes a reduction in estrogen, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone in women with polycystic ovary syndrome or who have had an abnormal response to clomiphene citrate, and in men with advanced prostate cancer. By providing your email address, you agree to receive emails containing coupons, refill reminders and promotional messages from GoodRx. Summary: Insomnia is found among people who take Letrozole, especially for people who are female, 60+ old, have been taking the drug for 1 - 6 months. Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. I have been on Anastrozole for 3 years and bladder pain has become my top issue. To hear from us, please sign up below. How to store letrozole. Instead, this response is a shift in your hormone levels that happens when you stop taking letrozole. The drug can significantly reduce the levels of plasma oestrogens, which remain suppressed throughout the treatment. Your reactions could be impaired. Usually, letrozole is prescribed for endometriosis after other treatments havent worked. Legro, R. S., et al. For breast cancer, the recommended letrozole dosage is one 2.5-mg tablet once daily. Our original studies have been referenced on 600+ medical publications including The Lancet, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, and Nature. Its not mentioned how much weight people gained or lost during these studies. Usual Adult Dose for Breast Cancer -- Adjuvant: Other drugs may affect letrozole, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. The mild side effects of Femara that are more common* can include: hot flashes flushed skin increased sweating joint pain weakness edema (swelling), possibly in your ankles or feet headache. Written by Cerner Multum. You can discuss the study with your doctor, to ensure that all drug risks and benefits are fully discussed and understood. Take one 2.5 mg letrozole tablet every day. No, there arent any specific foods you should avoid while youre taking letrozole. Continue reading, You can take letrozole (Femara) in the morning or evening, but you should take it at about the same time each day. How Letrozole Is Given: Letrozole is a pill, taken by mouth. Side effects usually improve after a few months as your body gets used to the medicine. Clomid is no longer available, but its generic version, clomiphene, is still available. Examples of OTC medications include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil). A scan to check the strength of your bones is typically recommended before starting and while taking letrozole. Letrozole is the generic version of the brand-name drug Femara. This will usually be from a group of drugs called bisphosphonates. Letrozole versus clomiphene for infertility in the polycystic ovary syndrome. Brand name: Femara Also, if youre having trouble opening your medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. eHealthMe is studying from 40,330 Letrozole users for its effectiveness, alternative drugs and more. Check out this article to learn more about the differences between generic and brand-name drugs. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Letrozole comes as tablets that youll take by mouth. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. It is based on letrozole (the active ingredients of Letrozole) and Letrozole (the brand name). If youre concerned about this you may find it helpful to speak to your specialist. (PCOS can affect ovulation, and its one of the more common causes of infertility in females. If you want to know more about the different treatment options for infertility, talk with your doctor. Many people find that symptoms improve over time. It can be difficult to know whether this is because of the medication or other reasons such as menopausal symptoms or dealing with the diagnosis of cancer. Some of these can happen when common side effects go unchecked: Bone fractures: As discussed above, bone loss that happens with the long-term use of letrozole can lead to bone fractures. Find answers to some commonly asked questions about letrozole oral tablets. Some people benefit from switching to a different hormone therapy. You may have specific questions about using letrozole for infertility, such as: Because this isnt an approved use for letrozole, the manufacturer of the drug doesnt provide dosage guidelines for infertility treatment. 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 youre pregnant or considering pregnancy, talk with your doctor before you start taking letrozole. Drugs and Lactation Database. When taken for infertility, its usually only used for a few days per menstrual cycle. The cells may even spread to other parts of your body. Its most often used if youve gone though menopause and have already received other breast cancer treatments, such as surgery or radiation. Hormone therapy for breast cancer. Letrozole (Femara ) is an oral medication that your doctor has prescribed for the treatment of your hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. Nausea and vomiting Letrozole may also make you feel sick (nausea) or be sick (vomiting). Certain types of breast cancer cells need estrogen to grow. Yes, you can do several things to help prevent your bones from weakening during breast cancer treatment. They can also answer other questions related to using this drug for infertility. You may have some hair loss or thinning while taking letrozole. Some side effects may not be reported. In fact, this was a common side effect in studies of letrozole. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using. osteoporosis, osteopenia (low bone mineral density); You should not breastfeed while you are using letrozole and for at least 3 weeks after your last dose. My doctor told me that letrozole may weaken my bones. After menopause, aromatase is the main source of estrogen production. More serious side effects are possible, including bone fractures and complications from high cholesterol. Redness and swelling of your vagina and vulva. If you have a certain type of breast cancer, your doctor may prescribe letrozole oral tablets for you. Letrozole and anastrozole (Arimidex) are both used to help treat certain types of breast cancer. We study millions of patients and 5,000 more each day. It can also be a side effect of immunotherapy medications. Estrogen typically prevents your ovaries from ovulating (releasing an egg). Here, well dive deeper into some common letrozole side effects you should know about. Sometimes it can go away on its own, but it can take months to get better. Both medications belong to a group of drugs called aromatase inhibitors. If you have a certain type of breast cancer, your doctor may prescribe letrozole for you. There are CDs, podcasts and phone apps that can guide you through these techniques. They may recommend ways to help reduce the pain. Colitis can be caused by bacterial infections, viruses, and autoimmune disorders. O 0. Like any drug,letrozolecan cause side effects. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take letrozole oral tablets. Whats the dosage of letrozole for infertility? What is hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer? Theyre used in females* whove gone through menopause. Side effects after stopping letrozole. You may have menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, sweating, sleep disturbance, vaginal irritation such as dryness and itching, and reduced libido (sex drive). We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. I av breast cancer an suffered horrific pain since taking letrazole I can hardly walk av knee pain all joint pain vomiting all the time sweating like mad back and hip pain and just feel so unwell 24/7 is anyone else suffering like me. Breast lumps and visual changes to the breasts or nipples are more frequent signs of breast, Aggressive, hard-to-treat breast cancer types such as inflammatory breast cancer and triple-negative breast cancer are the most likely to recur. Swelling from letrozole usually occurs in your arms, feet, hands, or legs. Common side effects of Oxytrol include: local pruritus. These could include weakened bones, for example. Estrogen is important for bone health. Check with your doctor to find out which drug is right for you. If you experience any of the following symptoms contact your local A&E department, GP or treatment team straight away: Side effects caused by letrozole will be different for each person. However, the ovarian follicle's response to FSH is only a part of the endocrine events occurring in a developing follicle. 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. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. This helps stop your breast cancer from growing. Chemotherapy drugs are also a type of cancer treatment. Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reaction[Ref], Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cardiac arrhythmia tachycardia, vasodilation, hypertension, flushing, Very common (10% or more): Dry skin, pruritus, Frequency not reported: Angioedema, hypohidrosis[Ref], Postmarketing reports: Decreased lactation[Ref], Very common (10% or more): Dry mouth (up to 72%), constipation (up to 15%), nausea, Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, vomiting, flatulence, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abdominal discomfort, Frequency not reported: Pseudo-obstruction in patients at risk (elderly or patients with constipation and treated with other drugs that decrease intestinal motility), decreased GI motility[Ref], The most common (incidence 5% or greater) adverse reactions were dry mouth, constipation, diarrhea, headache, somnolence, and dizziness. The tablets come in one strength: 2.5 milligrams (mg). Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Spot the signs and symptoms of secondary breast cancer, 1. All information is observation-only. Learn the signs and symptoms of metastasis, how you can make yourself as comfortable as possible, and tips for managing end-of-life symptoms. They can assess you and offer advice on how to manage your energy levels. But both cancer cells and healthy cells in your body can quickly multiply. Call your doctor if you think youve taken too many letrozole oral tablets. These lists dont include all possible side effects. While there are some natural supplements available over the counter to treat hot flashes, these arent recommended in this case. Their risk is higher because of the cancer itself and some treatments for breast cancer. Metformin is a drug thats typically used to treat diabetes. Letrozole has active ingredients of letrozole. So, its recommended that you dont take the drugs at the same time. Its also not recommended to use letrozole while nursing because safety and efficacy studies are lacking. Letrozole oral tablets are a generic drug, which means theyre an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Summary: Urinary tract infection is found among people who take Letrozole, especially for people who are female, 60+ old, have been taking the drug for 1 - 6 months. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Most of the time this Candida transfer is harmless, so yeast infections are not highly contagious. Sold under the brand name Femara, letrozole was originally created to treat breast cancer. If this letrozole side effect becomes too bothersome, speak with your healthcare provider. Letrozole is an aromatase inhibitor (lowers estrogen production) that can be used to induce ovulation in patients with irregular ovulation patterns or those who suffer from anovulation. Your doctor will explain how you should take letrozole oral tablets. Letrozole belongs to the class of medicines known as aromatase inhibitors. Sometimes your immune system can attack normal, noncancerous parts of your body, such as your colon (colitis). Nicole E. Cieri-Hutcherson, PharmD, BCPS, NCMP. Please seek medical advice before starting, changing or terminating any medical treatment. In certain situations, if letrozole has stopped working for you, your doctor may have you stop taking it in order to cause a withdrawal response.. If you have questions about using letrozole in bodybuilding or for endometriosis, talk with your doctor. You should not use letrozole if you are pregnant. Swallow the tablet with a drink of water. Letrozole is made by a number of different manufacturers. If you have liver disease, your healthcare provider may recommend a lower dose. Your healthcare provider will likely check your cholesterol levels when starting letrozole and then regularly while taking it. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. This drug may cause weak bones. Letrozole may also make you feel sick (nausea) or be sick (vomiting). If you have diarrhoea, its important to drink enough fluids. Here are a few questions you may want to ask: To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthlines newsletters. http://www.appco.com.au/appguide/default.asp" (2006): Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Common side effects For vitamin D, you can increase the amount of oily fish, mushrooms and eggs you eat. In general, generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs do. I'm sure Letrozole/Femara is the cause of the joint pain. We'd love to keep in touch about news, events and how you can get involved. Tell your doctor if you think you may be pregnant.