Generics
Letrozole
Used For
Cancer
How it works
Letrozole is a nonsteroidal competitive inhibitor of the aromatase enzyme system; it inhibits the conversion of androgens to estrogens. In adult nontumor- and tumor-bearing female animals, letrozole is as effective as ovariectomy in reducing uterine weight, elevating serum LH, and causing the regression of estrogen-dependent tumors. In contrast to ovariectomy, treatment with letrozole does not lead to an increase in serum FSH. Letrozole selectively inhibits gonadal steroidogenesis but has no significant effect on adrenal mineralocorticoid or glucocorticoid synthesis.
Usage And Safety
Dosage
Adults : The recommended dose is one 2.5 mg tablet administered once a day, without regard to meals. Children : Not Applicable. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for dose adjustments.
Side Effects
Common or very common: Abdominal pain ,alopecia ,anorexia,appetite increase, arthralgia,bone fracture, Constipation, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, dry skin, dyspepsia, fatigue, headache, hot flushes, hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension, increased sweating, musculoskeletal pain, nausea, osteoporosis, peripheral oedema, rash, vaginal bleeding,vomiting, weight changes. Uncommon: Anxiety, arthritis, blurred vision, breast pain, cardiac events, cataract, cerebrovascular events, cough, Dysaesthesia, dyspnea, eye irritation, general oedema, insomnia, leucopenia, memory impairment, mucosal Dryness, palpitation, pruritus, pyrexia, stomatitis, tachycardia, taste disturbance, thrombophlebitis, tumour pain, urinary frequency,urinary-tract infection,urticaria. vaginal discharge. Rare: Arterial thrombosis . pulmonary embolism. Frequency not known: Hepatitis ,toxic epidermal necrolysis.
Drug Interactions
Tamoxifen , Cimetidine , Warfarin .
Indication
It is indicated in : • First-line treatment in postmenopausal women with hormone-dependent advanced breast cancer.• Adjuvant treatment of oestrogen receptor positive invasive early breast cancer in postmenopausal women.• Advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women (naturally or artificially induced menopause) in whom other antiestrogen therapy has failed.• Extended adjuvant treatment of hormone-dependent invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women who have received standard adjuvant tamoxifen therapy for 5 years.• Neo adjuvant treatment in postmenopausal women with localized hormone receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor-2 negative breast cancer where chemotherapy is not suitable and surgery not yet indicated.





