What Is It?
Femara, active ingredient letrozole, is a medication that is available by prescription only. It is used for the treatment of breast cancer in women that are post menopausal. This medication has been approved to treat women that are postemenopausal and who: have been taking tamoxifen for five years following surgery or radiation to treat breast cancer, have early form of breast cancer that is positive for hormones and have undergone surgery, or that have advanced breast cancer that spreads and is either positive for hormone receptors or the status is unknown.
Who Manufactures It?
Norvartis Pharmaceuticals is the maker of Femara.
How It Works
Femara belongs to the class of medications known as aromatase inhibitors. Aromatase is an enzyme that can be found naturally in the body. The enzymes help the body to make estrogens. For women that are post menopausal, most of the estrogen found in the body is made by aromatase. When these enzymes are blocked, the amount of the estrogen in the body is reduced.
Potential Side Effects
Commonly reported side effects might include: weight gain, night sweats, hot flashes, joint pain and weakness.
Generic Forms of Femara
Teva and Mylan Parmaceuticals are just two of the companies that currently make generic Femara.