What is Femara?
Femara is a brand-name prescription drug used for the treatment of cancer in women who had menopause. The medication is licenced to treat hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer. Hormones, like oestrogen, facilitate the development of this form of breast cancer. The drug can also be used to treat those forms of breast cancer that aren't considered to have a hormone receptor status. It is administered to people who have some types of breast cancer, whether it is early or advanced. Cancer hasn't spread beyond your breast or lymph nodes in your armpit if you have early breast cancer.
Femara Uses
Femara is an oral drug that stimulates ovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and infertility that isn't caused by other factors. It is an anti-cancer medication that contains the active ingredient Letrozole. It's used to treat postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer. It's a breast cancer hormone treatment. These treatments work by preventing oestrogen from promoting the growth of breast cancer cells. Femara is an aromatase inhibitor and is a particular form of hormone therapy. It works by reducing the amount of oestrogen produced by your body.
Side Effects
Some of the Common and Major Side effects of Femara are:
- Hypercholesterolemia
- Fatigue
- Increased sweating
- Hot flashes
- Bloating
- Blurred Vision
- Breast Pain
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Vaginal bleeding
- Joint Pain
Femara can cause some serious side effects and can lead to some serious health problems. Talk with your doctor if you are having any serious problems.
Precautions
Before taking Femara talk with your doctor if you are allergic to it or any other medications related to it. The drug may contain some inactive ingredients which can cause serious allergic reactions or some other serious problems. Before using the medication talk with your doctor if you have any medical history such as: cholesterol, osteopenia, osteoporosis, stroke, blood clots, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney problems and liver problems.
How to use Femara?
Femara 2.5mg Tablet can be taken with or without food, but it's best if you take it at the same time every day. The medication is available as an enteric-coated, 2.5 mg pill.
Dosage
Femara- 2.5 mg tablets which should be taken orally.
The normal dosage for treatment of breast cancer is one tablet which should be taken orally.
The common dosage for the treatment of adjuvant of breast cancer is one tablet per day.
Missed Dose
If you skip a Femara dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s time for the next dose. In that case, just skip the missed dose and carry on with your daily schedule. To make up for a missed dose, do not take two doses at the same time.
Overdose
If you have taken too much dosage, seek emergency medical care or call a doctor. Some of the common symptoms of Femara are nausea, vomiting, headache and hot flashes.
Interactions
Femara has the potential to interfere with other drugs. It also has the potential to interfere with some supplements and foods. Different experiences may have varying outcomes. Some interactions, for example, can hinder a drug's efficacy. Other interactions can amplify or exaggerate the severity of side effects. The medications that interact with Femara are tamoxifen and a drug that contains estrogen. Also, other herbs and supplements can interact with this drug.
Warnings for Serious Health Conditions
Liver Injury
This drug is not approved for patients who have experienced a liver injury. In these patients, the concentration of this medicine may rise. Until initiating treatment, a baseline of liver function tests should be collected.
Kidney Disease
Patients with kidney disease can safely take Femara 2.5mg Tablet. There is no need to change the dosage of Femara 2.5mg Tablet. However, data on the use of this drug in patients with end-stage kidney disease is poor. Please seek advice from your physician.
Pregnancy
The drug is unsafe to use during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor before taking the medication as studies on pregnant women and animals have shown some serious adverse effects.
Breast Feeding
The medication is not safe to use while breastfeeding as it can cause some serious side effects to the infants. Talk to your doctor before using the medication.
Storage
Direct contact with heat, air and light may damage your medicines. Exposure to medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach.
Mainly the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).
Femara vs Tamoxifen
Femara |
Tamoxifen |
|---|---|
| Femara is a brand-name prescription drug used for the treatment of cancer in women who had menopause. | Tamoxifen, also known as Nolvadex, is a selective estrogen receptor modulator that is used to prevent and treat breast cancer in both men and women. |
| Femara is an oral drug that stimulates ovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and infertility that isn't caused by other factors. | Tamoxifen is a drug that is used for treating breast cancer. It is also used in high-risk patients to reduce their chances of developing breast cancer. |
Some of the common side effects of Femara are:
|
Some of the common side effects of Tamoxifen are:
|
