FEMARA 2.5 mg Tablet

FEMARA 2.5MG contains letrozole which belongs to a group of medicines called aromatase inhibitors. It is a hormonal breast cancer treatment. Oestrogens, the female sex hormones stimulate the growth of breast cancer.

This medicine works by blocking an enzyme aromatase which is responsible for the production of oestrogens and thus reduces the amount of oestrogen in the body.

This in turn blocks the growth of breast cancer that needs oestrogens to grow thus slowing or stopping growth and spreading of cancer cells to other parts of body.

It is also used in preventing spreading of tumour to the other parts of body in patients with advanced breast cancer.

It can be used as first treatment in such cases where immediate breast cancer surgery is not suitable or as a follow up treatment after five years of treatment with tamoxifen. Children and adolescents should not use this medicine.

FEMARA 2.5MG may cause osteoporosis (thinning your bones) due to the reduced amount of oestrogens in your body. Your bone density will be measured by your doctor before, during or after treatment.

Take this medicine according to the dose and frequency as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break the medicine. If you feel dizzy, tired or drowsiness, do not drive or operate any tools or machines.

The most common side effects are headache, increase in cholesterol levels, fatigue, hot flushes, increased sweating, joint pain, dizziness, gastrointestinal disorders, pain in muscles, depression, weight increase and hair loss.

USES OF FEMARA 2.5MG

Treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women

HOW FEMARA 2.5MG WORKS

FEMARA 2.5MG works by blocking an enzyme aromatase which is responsible for the production of oestrogens thus reducing the amount of oestrogen.
This in turn blocks the growth of breast cancer and spreading of cancer cells to other parts of body.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take FEMARA 2.5MG according to the dose and frequency as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break the medicine.
The recommended dose is one tablet a day. It can be taken with or without food.

SERIOUS

Swelling of face and throat (signs of allergic reaction)
Hepatitis

COMMON

Headache
Increase in cholesterol levels
Fatigue
Hot flushes
Increased sweating, dizziness
Gastrointestinal disorders
Pain in muscles, joint abdominal
Depression
Weight increase, hair loss
Raised blood pressure (hypertension)
Dry skin
Vaginal bleeding
Palpitations, rapid heart rate
Joint stiffness (arthritis)

RARE

Rupture of tendon
Severe fever, chills or mouth ulcers due to infections (lack of white blood cells)
Sudden oppressive chest pain
Severe persistent blurred vision

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Headache:

Rest and drink plenty of fluids. Apply a cold, wet cloth or ice pack to your forehead. Rest in a quiet, comfortable, dark room.

Diarrhea:

Drink lot of fluid to avoid dehydration. Avoid taking any other medicines for diarrhea without consulting to your doctor.

Abdominal pain:

Try to rest and relax. You can eat and drink slowly or have frequent meals. Keeping a heat pad or a covered hot water pack on your stomach may also help. If still pain persists, speak to your doctor.

SYNOPSIS

Drug : Letrozole
Pharmacological Category : Antineoplastic Agent, Aromatase inhibitor
Therapeutic Indication : Breast cancer in postmenopausal women
Dosage Forms : Tablet, Capsule

MORE INFORMATION

Store below 20-25?C and keep out of reach of children.

FAQs ABOUT FEMARA 2.5MG

What is the role of FEMARA 2.5MG?

It is used to treat breast cancer (such as hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer) in women after menopause. It also helps to prevent the cancer from returning.

Is FEMARA 2.5MG an anti estrogen?

It is an oral, anti-estrogen drug, used for treating breast cancer in postmenopausal women by reducing the amount of oestrogen. The growth of breast cancers in the postmenopausal women is promoted by the estrogens that circulate in blood and adrenal glands are main source of these circulating estrogens.

USES OF FEMARA TABLET

• Treatment of Breast cancer
• Treatment of Infertility due to anovulation

BENEFITS OF FEMARA TABLET

In Treatment of Breast cancer

Femara Tablet relieves the symptoms of breast cancer such as breast lumps, bloody discharge from the nipple, or changes in the shape or texture of the breast.

It works by altering the production of those hormones in the body that are essential for the growth and spread of breast cancer.

It may also interact with other hormones or have a direct effect on cancer to stop its growth.

In Treatment of Infertility due to anovulation

Femara Tablet helps in the normal development of an egg in a woman’s ovary (female reproductive organ) and stimulates the release of the egg during a process called ovulation.

This helps to treat infertility in women.
This increases the chance of a successful pregnancy. You should use the medicine as prescribed for it to be effective.

SIDE EFFECTS OF FEMARA TABLET

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Femara

• Fatigue
• Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol)
• Increased sweating
• Hot flashes

HOW TO USE FEMARA TABLET

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it.
Femara Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

HOW FEMARA TABLET WORKS

Femara Tablet is an aromatase inhibitor. It works by decreasing the amount of estrogen (natural female hormone) produced in the body.

This decrease in estrogen can slow down or stop the growth of some breast cancers that need estrogen to grow.

In addition, it is also useful in infertility whereby it increases the release of certain hormones to stimulate the release of eggs from the ovaries.

SAFETY ADVICE

Alcohol

Consuming alcohol with Femara Tablet does not cause any harmful side effects.

Pregnancy

Femara 2.5mg Tablet is highly unsafe to use during pregnancy. Seek your doctor’s advice as studies on pregnant women and animals have shown significant harmful effects to the developing baby.

Breast feeding

Femara Tablet is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.

Driving

Femara Tablet may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.

Kidney

Femara Tablet is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Femara Tablet is recommended.
However, there is limited information on the use of this medicine in patients with end stage kidney disease. Please consult with your doctor.

Liver

Femara 2.5mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Femara Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

WHAT IF YOU FORGET TO TAKE FEMARA TABLET?

If you miss a dose of Femara Tablet, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.