Letrozole

The recommended dose of letrozole is 2.5 mg once daily. It should be taken at the same time each day and may be taken with or without food.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Letrozole exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store the tablets in a dry place at room temperature, out of reach of children and pets.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause hot flashes; it may cause headaches; it may cause joint pain; it may cause unusual tiredness; it may cause nausea or, rarely, vomiting; it may cause leg swelling or water retention. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

2.5 mg
Each yellow, round, film-coated tablet, with "N" debossed on one side and "L" on the other, contains 2.5 mg of letrozole. Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, pregelatinized starch, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, and opadry yellow (contains: hypromellose, titanium dioxide, ferric oxide (yellow), polyethylene glycol 8000 and talc).

Do not take letrozole if you:

• are allergic to letrozole or any ingredients of the medication
• are allergic to any other aromatase inhibitor medications (e.g., Anastrozole, Exemestane)
• are breast-feeding
• are pregnant
• are premenopausal
• are under 18 years of age

There may be an interaction between letrozole and any of the following:

• birth control pills containing estrogen
• any estrogen-containing medications (e.g., conjugated estrogen, Estradiol, ethinyl estradiol)
• Methadone
• tamoxifen
• tegafur

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Letrozole. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take Letrozole.

Blood Clots: Letrozole may cause an increase in the formation of blood clots in blood vessels, reducing the blood flow to organs or the extremities. In the arms or legs this is experienced as pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in the limb. In the lungs, you may experience difficulty breathing, sharp chest pain, coughing, or coughing up blood. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

Bone mineral density: Long-term use of letrozole may decrease the density of bones, thereby increasing the risk of Osteoporosis. Your doctor will order bone mineral density tests periodically while you are taking letrozole.

Cholesterol: Letrozole may increase cholesterol levels. If you have increased blood cholesterol levels or a history of increased cholesterol, discuss with your doctor how Letrozole may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Letrozole, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Drowsiness/dizziness: Letrozole may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience either or both of these side effects, you should not drive, use machinery, or perform any other activities that require alertness.

Heart disease: Letrozole may increase the risk of heart attack or increased blood pressure. If you are at risk for heart disease or high blood pressure, discuss with your doctor how Letrozole may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Letrozole, and whether any special monitoring is needed. If you experience signs of a heart attack, such as tightness or heaviness in your chest, sudden chest pain spreading to your arms or shoulders, sweating, nausea, or anxiety, seek medical help immediately.

Kidney function: If you have reduced kidney function, discuss with your doctor how Letrozole may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Letrozole, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: If you have liver disease or reduced liver function, discuss with your doctor how Letrozole may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Letrozole, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Premenopausal women: Letrozole should not be taken by women who have not reached menopause (either naturally or surgically), unless the potential benefits outweigh the risks.

Stroke: Letrozole increases the risk of a stroke or "mini-strokes" occurring as a result of blood clots forming in the blood vessels. If you experience signs of a stroke or mini-stroke, such as confusion, difficulty speaking, loss of coordination, sudden headache or vision changes, contact your doctor immediately.

Pregnancy: It is suspected that the use of letrozole during pregnancy could cause miscarriages and other serious problems. It is not intended to be taken by women who have not reached menopause.

Letrozole should not be taken during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. Any woman taking Letrozole who may become pregnant should practice effective birth control and contact her doctor immediately if pregnancy is suspected while taking Letrozole.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if letrozole passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Letrozole, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of Letrozole have not been established for children. Children under 18 years of age should not use Letrozole.

This medication is typically used only once a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Take it regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. You should take this medication at approximately the same time each day. This medication should be swallowed whole. It should not be split, crushed or chewed. This medication may be taken with or without food.