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Real members of MyBCTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Femara

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
San Francisco, CA

Why does Aromasin have less side effects or can be better tolerated that letrozole?

January 15, 2024
 · 
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MyBCTeam

Femara (letrozole) is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Here are some key points about Femara:

Uses
- Adjuvant Treatment: Used post-surgery to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence.
- Advanced Breast Show Full Answer

Femara (letrozole) is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Here are some key points about Femara:

Uses:
- Adjuvant Treatment: Used post-surgery to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence.
- Advanced Breast Cancer: Also used for treating advanced stages of breast cancer.

Mechanism:
- Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer: About two-thirds of breast cancers require estrogen to grow. Femara is a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor that blocks the enzyme responsible for producing estrogen, thereby slowing the growth of breast cancer.

Administration:
- Dosage: Taken orally once a day.
- Monitoring: Regular tests may be ordered by your doctor to monitor cholesterol, liver function, and bone density.

Side Effects:
- Common Side Effects:
- Hot flashes
- Joint pain
- Flushing
- Weakness
- Swelling of the legs and feet
- Headache
- Dizziness
- High cholesterol
- Increased sweating
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Osteoporosis (which can lead to fractures)
- Rare but Serious Side Effects:
- Heart attacks
- Strokes
- Liver problems
- Skin reactions (blisters, ulcers, lesions)
- Symptoms requiring immediate medical attention: skin problems, chest pain, numbness or weakness on one side of the body, sensations of warmth, pain or heaviness in the legs or groin, slurred speech, vision problems, jaundice, pain or swelling in the abdomen, or general feelings of unwellness.

Additional Information:
- Duration: You may need to take Femara for several years. Always follow your doctor’s instructions exactly when taking Femara.

For more detailed information, you can visit the [Femara page on MyBCTeam](https://www.mybcteam.com/treatments/femara).

July 13, 2024