About letrozole
Aromatase inhibitor; anticancer hormone therapy
Used for
- Treats hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
- May be used after surgery or when cancer has spread.
Usual adult dose
2.5 mg by mouth once daily; treatment duration depends on the cancer and treatment plan.
Common side effects
- Hot flushes and sweating
- Joint or muscle pain
- Fatigue, headache, or dizziness
- Bone thinning and increased fracture risk
Important warnings
- Can reduce bone density; monitoring may be needed.
- May increase cholesterol; blood tests may be needed.
- Can harm an unborn baby; pregnancy must be excluded before treatment.
- Report new or worsening bone pain or unusual fractures.
Pregnancy
Avoid during pregnancy; it can harm the fetus. Effective contraception is needed during treatment and for at least three weeks after the last dose.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment and for at least three weeks after the last dose.
Interactions
- Tamoxifen, estrogen-containing medicines, or other hormone therapies may reduce letrozole's effect.
- Rifampicin may lower letrozole levels.
- Cimetidine may affect letrozole levels.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.