Postmenopausal women suffering from breast cancer and previously treated with tamoxifen can undertake Femara (Letrozole) treatment to prevent the disease to resurface again. This has been confirmed by the detailed analysis of the data obtained from an International trial of this generic drug. Another noteworthy finding of the trial is that Letrozole also blocks the progression of metastases in women whose cancer had earlier spread out to their lymph nodes.

Femara (Letrozole) belongs to a class of drugs known as aromatase inhibitors that curb the production of estrogen. The growth of breast tumors gets stimulated by estrogen. The drugs used for the treatment of these tumors generally work by blocking the production or the action of the hormone. Tamoxifen is the most widely used drug for blocking the production of estrogen. However, it becomes ineffective after five years of treatment as tumor cells enhance their resistance power by then or even become reliant on the drug.

The findings of various researches show that Letrozole can reduce the estrogen levels by 98 percent and at the same time, increase the testosterone levels. Postmenopausal women with breast cancer are not the only ones who get benefited by Letrozole. Its anti-estrogen action is also favored by athletes and bodybuilders for use during a steroid cycle. Femara (Letrozole) can reduce swelling because of surfeit water retention and thwart the formation of gynecomastia related breast tissue which is a side effect of a number of anabolic steroids. Another benefit of Letrozole is found in the form of treating adolescents and children with short height. Femara can delay the fluxing of the growth plates in adolescents and enhance the effectuality of growth hormone.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given its approval to Letrozole for treating local and metastatic breast cancer that is hormone receptor positive or features an unknown receptor status in postmenopausal women. There is apprehension in some quarters that the long term use of Femara (Letrozole) may lead to osteoporosis. That’s the reason why physicians often prescribe osteoporosis-fighting medications along with the Letrozole treatment.

You must take certain precautions while taking Letrozole. It can impair your thinking or reactions as a result of side effects. So, you need to be extra cautious while driving, running machines or doing any activity that requires mental alertness. Taking Femara during pregnancy must be avoided as serious birth defects to an unborn child are possible. Older patients may feel drowsy or dizzy and shouldn’t stand or sit up hastily.

Letrozole tablets can be taken at your own convenience once-a-day. Available in 2.5mg only, Femara should be administered as per the direction of your doctor with or without food. It is suitable to take Femara at the same time everyday to be able to continue the treatment for a long period of time. Your physician must be aware of any other drugs currently taken by you. So, you should let him or her know about the herbal or over-the-counter medications used by you. It is your physician who decides which medications you may or may not consume with Femara. He or she will also alter your Femara dose if you suffer from severe liver-related complaints.