PRODUCT INTRODUCTION
Letroz Tablet helps treat breast cancer in post-menopausal women. It may be used alone or with other treatments, such as surgery or radiation. It can also be used in patients with advanced breast cancer to stop the tumor from spreading to other parts of the body.
Letroz Tablet is also helpful in the treatment of infertility. It can be taken with or without food, but take it at about the same time to get the most benefit. The dose and frequency depend on what you are taking it for. Your doctor will decide how much you need to improve your symptoms. You should take this medicine for as long as it is prescribed.
This medicine’s most common side effects include hot flashes, fatigue, increased sweating, increased level of cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), bone and joint pain, dizziness, edema, and flushing. If these bother you or appear serious, let your doctor know. Your doctor may suggest ways to prevent or reduce these.
Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have ever had liver or kidney disease, or have a history of osteoporosis (thinning or wasting of bones). Your doctor should also know about all other medicines you are taking as many of these may make this medicine less effective or change the way it works. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your doctor may perform some blood tests to check for vitamin D level or bone density before and during treatment.
BENEFITS OF LETROZ TABLET
In Treatment of Breast cancer
Letroz 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
Letroz 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.
HOW TO USE LETROZ 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. Letroz Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
HOW LETROZ TABLET WORKS
Letroz 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
Consuming alcohol with Letroz Tablet does not cause any harmful side effects.
Letroz 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.
Letroz Tablet is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.
Letroz Tablet may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Kidney
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Letroz Tablet is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Letroz 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.
Letroz Tablet should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Letroz Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
WHAT IF YOU FORGET TO TAKE LETROZ TABLET?
If you miss a dose of Letroz 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.
SIDE EFFECTS
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 Letroz
- Fatigue
- Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol)
- Increased sweating
- Hot flashes
- Bone pain
- Dizziness
- Joint pain
- Edema (swelling)
- Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk)
FAQ's
Q. Why have I been prescribed Letroz Tablet?
Letroz Tablet is an aromatase inhibitor. It is generally prescribed to treat breast cancer in women who no longer have periods, either due to menopause or after surgery or chemotherapy. It is also used to treat infertility caused due to anovulation (during menstrual cycle egg cell from ovaries is not released).
Q. How does Letroz Tablet work?
Letroz Tablet is also known as an anti-estrogen drug. It is called so because it acts by reducing the production of estrogen in your body by blocking the enzyme aromatase, which is responsible for the production of estrogen. Estrogen stimulates the production of certain types of breast cancer in your body. These cancers are called “estrogen-dependent cancers”. Reducing the production of estrogen may prevent cancer from growing.
Q. For how long should I take Letroz Tablet?
If the breast tumor is in the advanced stage or has spread to other parts of the body, it is recommended that you continue taking Letroz Tablet till the tumor shows progression. In cases where Letroz Tablet is given after tamoxifen (another anti-estrogen used for breast cancer) or surgery, it should be given for 5 years or until the tumor comes back, whichever is first. It can also be given as a sequential treatment; 2 years of Letroz Tablet followed by 3 years of tamoxifen.
Q. If I am taking irbesartan to control my blood pressure, can I take Letroz Tablet?
Yes, you can take irbesartan and Letroz Tablet together. However, be careful and keep a regular check on your blood pressure since Letroz Tablet may increase your blood pressure. Consult your doctor in case you have problems controlling your blood pressure.
Q. Does Letroz Tablet affect vision?
Although it is very uncommon, Letroz Tablet may cause a cataract. So, if you experience blurred vision or eye irritation, consult your doctor immediately.
Q. My friend who is taking Letroz Tablet often sweats a lot. Is it because of Letroz Tablet?
This could be a sign of hot flushes which is a very common side effect of Letroz Tablet. It happens due to decreased estrogen levels. The frequency of hot flushes reduces once your body adjusts to Letroz Tablet. However, in some people, the flushes and sweats may continue during the treatment and stop a few months after the treatment finishes. You can consult your doctor who will provide you a remedy if it is very bothersome.
Q. What are the serious side effects of Letroz Tablet?
The serious side effects do not occur in everyone and very few people experience them. The serious side effects of Letroz Tablet include stroke, angina, heart attack, blood clotting, cataract, osteoporosis, and severe skin reactions.
