Generic Name: Letrozole

Brand Name: Femara

INTRODUCTION

Breast cancer is a form of cancer that spreads its roots from the cells of the breast. Some startling figures reveal that breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer after lung cancer. It forms approximately 10.4% of all cancer occurrences. Breast cancer in women after menopause is getting more common and the number of cases is steadily increasing. The principal causes of breast cancer include age, sex, hormones, childbearing, a high-fat diet, excess alcohol intake and obesity.

The year 2004 brought about a remarkable turnaround in the treatment of breast cancer as a landmark experiment showed Femara (Letrozole tablets) to be an effective medication for postmenopausal women with the early stage of breast cancer who had completed 5 years of tamoxifen treatment. The results of experiment were based on 24 months of treatment. Since then, Femara has been widely recognized as another successful treatment option for breast cancer after surgery.

In medicinal terms, Letrozole is an oral non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor that has been brought in for the adjuvant treatment of hormonally-responsive breast cancer. The primary task of Femara (Letrozole) is to block the production of estrogen which is responsible for the development of certain forms breast cancer. Equally effective for the treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women, Femara helps to prevent tumor growth and thereby, reduces the chances of cancer.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Femara (Letrozole tablets) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal women after surgery with hormone receptor-positive early stage breast cancer. This generic drug is also indicated for the extended adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal women with early stage breast cancer who are inside three months of conclusion of five years of tamoxifen therapy. Additionally, Femara is also approved for the treatment of metastatic cancer in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive or hormone receptor-unknown breast cancer. Metastatic cancer occurs when it spreads to another part of the body.

Femara (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. It is advisable to take Femara at the same time everyday to be able to continue the treatment for a long period of time. If you miss a particular dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, you shouldn’t take any additional dose and stick to one pill per day only. Consuming Femara (Letrozole) with or without food doesn’t have an effect on its absorption or effectiveness.

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 ailments.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Femara (Letrozole tablets) is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to Letrozole or possess known hypersensitivity to the drug or any of its constituents. It is also contraindicated in women who are pregnant or may conceive in the near future. Letrozole can cause serious damage to the unborn baby.

SIDE EFFECTS

Taking Femara or Letrozole can give you some side effects. The most common side effects include muscle aches, headache, fatigue, nausea, chest pain, constipation, night sweats and weight gain. Researches are still going on to find out whether Femara is causing any harm to bone density or problems in relation to the bones.