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Letrozole

  • Before having any kind of medical treatment, including dental or emergency treatment, tell the doctor, surgeon, dentist or other medical professional that you are taking letrozole
  • Keep your regular appointments with your doctor so your progress can be monitored

About letrozole

Type of medicine Hormone antagonist
Used for Treatment of breast cancer in postmenopausal women
Also called Femara
Available as Tablets

Some breast cancers need the hormone oestrogen to grow. In women who have had their menopause, the main source of oestrogen is through the change of androgens (sex hormones) into oestrogens. Letrozole works by preventing this change therefore reducing the amount of oestrogen in the body.

Before taking letrozole

Before taking letrozole make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding
  • If you suffer from liver or kidney problems
  • If you have not gone through the menopause
  • If you have a family history of osteoporosis (bone thinning)
  • Letrozole is not recommended for children

How to take letrozole

  • Take your medication exactly as directed by your doctor
  • If you are sick shortly after taking a dose, or you forget a dose, check with your doctor. You will be told whether to take the dose again, or wait until the next dose is due.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Keep your regular appointments with your doctor so your progress can be monitored
  • Before having any kind of medical treatment, including dental or emergency treatment, tell the doctor, surgeon, dentist or other medical professional that you are taking letrozole
  • Letrozole lowers the levels of female hormones in the body which may lead to thinning of the bones. This can reduce bone strength therefore you may be required to have bone density tests before and during your treatment.

Can letrozole cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

The most common side-effects are hot flushes and joint pain.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine What can I do if I experience this
Headache Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable pain-killer. If headache continues speak with your doctor.
Dizziness, fatigue Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert.
Avoid alcohol; it will increase any feelings of drowsiness.
Nausea Eat little and often. Stick to simple foods such as dry toast.
Vomiting Drink plenty of fluid. Stick to simple foods such as dry toast.
Constipation Try to eat a well balanced diet containing plenty of fibre and drink 6 - 8 glasses of water each day.
Diarrhoea Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids.
Loss of appetite, increased appetite, weight gain, depression, loss or thinning of the hair, increased sweating, skin rash, muscle pain, bone fractures, swelling of the legs or feet If any of these side-effects continue for more than a few days or become-troublesome speak to your doctor.

Important: If you experience chest tightness, chest pain, coughing blood, pain or swelling of the arms or legs, sudden shortness of breath, fainting, numbness or weakness in the arms, legs or other part of the body, loss of coordination, visual changes, sudden severe headache, loss of co-ordination or difficulty in speaking or breathing, contact your doctor at once.

Other side-effects include indigestion, urinary tract infections (water infections), pain in the breast or stomach, general swelling, infections, anxiety, nervousness, irritability, memory impairment, sleepiness or difficulty sleeping, pins and needles, taste changes, blurred vision, eye irritation, palpitations (fluttering in the chest), fast or irregular heart beat, high blood pressure, breathlessness, mouth ulcers, dry mouth, itching or dryness of the skin, increased frequency of urination (passing water), vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge or dryness, fever, thirst or weight loss. If you experience these or any other worrying symptoms, which you think may be due to this medicine, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store letrozole

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
© EMIS 2007 DocID:
3745		 DocRef:
dils3742		 Last Updated:
1 Feb 2007		 Date of Next Review:
31 Jan 2009		 Version:
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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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