Details

Letrozole lowers oestrogen levels in postmenopausal women, which may slow the growth of certain types of breast tumours that need oestrogen to grow in the body. Letrozole is used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It is often given to women who have been taking tamoxifen for 5 years. To make sure letrozole is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have liver disease (especially cirrhosis) osteoporosis, osteopenia (low bone mineral density) high cholesterol or if you also take tamoxifen.

Typical Uses

Letrozole is used to treat certain types of breast cancer (such as hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer) in women after menopause. Letrozole is also used to help prevent the cancer from returning. Some breast cancers are made to grow faster by a natural hormone called oestrogen. Letrozole decreases the amount of oestrogen the body makes and helps to slow or reverse the growth of these breast cancers. This medication may also be used to treat infertility in women.

Side Effects

Common side effects of letrozole may include dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, tired feeling hot flashes, warmth in your face or chest bone pain, muscle or joint pain flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling) headache increased sweating or swelling, weight gain.

Drug Interactions

• Letrozole+citalopram- Talk to your doctor before using citalopram together with letrozole. Combining these medications may increase the blood levels of citalopram and increase the risk of certain side effects, including an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious or life-threatening.
• Letrozole+clopidogrel- Talk to your doctor before using clopidogrel together with letrozole. Combining these medications may reduce the effects of clopidogrel in helping to prevent heart attacks or strokes.
• Letrozole+thalidomide- Using thalidomide together with letrozole can increase the risk of dangerous blood clots. The risk is also increased with age, cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. You may need to take a blood thinner or undergo more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.

Mechanism of action

Letrozole belongs to class of medications called non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors. Letrozole reduces the amount of oestrogen (female sex hormone) by blocking an enzyme (aromatase), thereby stopping the growth of breast cancer or its spreading to other parts of the body.

Pregnancy Category : D