Letrozole is a medicine indicated for the treatment of breast cancer that depends on estrogen for its growth, in postmenopausal women, as it reduces estrogen levels in the body, and thus prevents the multiplication of tumor cells.
This medicine works by blocking the action of the aromatase enzyme, which is responsible for transforming other hormones into estrogen in adipose tissue, having no action on the ovaries, since post-menopause the ovaries no longer produce estrogen.
Letrozole can be provided by health plans, as long as it is prescribed by an oncologist, but it can also be purchased in pharmacies in the form of 2.5 mg tablets, as a generic or under the trade names Femara, Sabine or Ivevi, for example.
What is it for
Letrozole is indicated for the treatment of early or advanced stage breast cancer in postmenopausal women, as long as the tumor is estrogen receptor positive, that is, it depends on estrogen for its growth.
Additionally, letrozole is indicated for treatment before surgery for locally advanced postmenopausal breast cancer to reduce tumor size and allow for more conservative surgery.
Letrozole should be used with the indication and monitoring of the oncologist, for the treatment time determined by the doctor and according to the results of tests to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment.
If you would like an evaluation or follow-up from an oncologist, make an appointment in the nearest region:
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Is Letrozole useful for getting pregnant?
Letrozole has no indication approved by Anvisa for pregnancy, and is only indicated for the treatment of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
However, this remedy has been used by women with fertility problems, as it can induce ovulation by inhibiting the production of estrogen in the body, which results in increased release of hormones FSH and LH, stimulating ovulation, and thus can facilitate the pregnancy. Check out the list of the main medicines to get pregnant.
How to drink
Letrozole should be taken orally, with a glass of water, before or after a meal. The letrozole tablet must be taken whole and must not be broken, crushed or chewed.
The recommended dose is 1 tablet of letrozole 2.5 mg, once a day, taken at the same time, every day.
The treatment time with letrozole is around 5 years and should always be used according to the oncologist’s instructions.
In cases of use before breast cancer surgery, treatment time can vary from 4 to 8 months.
What to do if you forget to take a dose?
If you forget to take a dose, you should take the letrozole tablet as soon as you remember.
However, if it is almost time to take the next dose, you should skip the missed dose and take the next one at the correct time, normally continuing the dose schedule recommended by your doctor.
In this case, you should not take 2 tablets at the same time to make up for the missed dose.
Possible side effects
The most common side effects of letrozole are hot flashes, redness of the face or chest, excessive sweating, excessive tiredness, joint pain or increased cholesterol.
In addition, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain, decreased or increased appetite, headache, dizziness, vertigo, heart palpitations or high blood pressure may also occur.
Other common side effects of letrozole are hair loss, dry skin, vaginal bleeding, muscle pain, or swelling.
Letrozole may also increase your risk of osteoporosis, bone or back pain, and bone fractures.
Who shouldn’t use
Letrozole should not be used by children, adolescents, men and women who are not postmenopausal. Letrozole should also not be used during breastfeeding.
This medicine should also not be used during pregnancy, as it can cause miscarriages or malformations in the baby. Therefore, if used by women of childbearing age, it is recommended to use an effective contraceptive while using letrozole and for up to 3 months after finishing treatment.
Furthermore, the use of letrozole should be done with caution in women who have liver or kidney failure, and in these cases the risks and benefits of the treatment should always be evaluated by the oncologist.
Letrozole should also not be used by postmenopausal women who are allergic to this medicine or any other component of the tablet.
