Femara

Femara (Letrozole) is an FDA-approved drug used in the treatment of certain types of breast cancer in post-menopausal women. Femara belongs to a group of drugs known as aromatase inhibitors. These drugs work by reducing the overall amount of estrogen produced in the body. This effectively starves the cancer cells which require estrogen to live and multiply. Prior to beginning treatment with Femara, your doctor will review your complete medical history. It is especially important that your doctor know if you are or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed, have severe liver disease or have not yet completed menopause. In some cases, these conditions can preclude you from using Femara or require your dose to be adjusted. Femara should not be taken, unless your doctor says it can definitely help you out. Femara is a prescription medication that should be taken only under the advice of a medical practitioner.

Femara Side Effects

Femara can also interfere with other medications. Discuss with your doctor any other drugs you may be taking. This includes prescription as well as non-prescription, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, minerals and natural or herbal supplements. Femara is administered orally. Femara can be taken with or without food. It is a good idea to take Femara around the same time each day. If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible unless you are approaching the scheduled time of your next dose. If this is the case, skip the Femara missed dose. Do not take two doses of Femara at once.

Femara And Infertility

Side effects of this drug include drowsiness and dizziness. Do not drive a car or perform any tasks which could be dangerous until you know how your body reacts to Femara. This drowsiness and dizziness can be made worse by alcohol consumption, hot weather, exercise and fever. Take your time rising from a seated or lying down position and at the first sign of dizziness, sit or lie down. Additional side effects can include pain in the back, arms, legs and bones, constipation, cough diarrhea, headache, hot flashes, flushing, infection, joint or muscle pain, vomiting and weight gain or weight loss. More serious side effects are severe allergic reaction, pain and tenderness of the lower leg, chest pain, confusion, numbness, sudden severe headache and vision or speech changes. If you experience any of these symptoms or any other unusual effects, contact your doctor immediately.