Femara, also known as letrozole, is a drug used for treating breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Female hormones that occur naturally in the body can increase the growth of some breast cancers. Dombernowsky et al. More than 30% of women in the megestrol group had weight gain of ≥5%, and more than 10% had weight gain of ≥10%. A few searches of Google Scholar showed just a handful of studies that specifically target Tamoxifen and weight gain. Aromatase inhibitors aren’t used to reduce recurrence risk in premenopausal women. Weight gain is common during breast cancer treatment, but there isn’t enough evidence to prove that it’s a side effect of tamoxifen. Weight gain may be more likely in women with breast cancer under the age of 60, who smoke, or who have had a mastectomy. Common side effects of Femara include: hot flashes, ; warmth in your face or chest, Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. What I was finding … The phase IV clinical study is created by eHealthMe based on reports of 24,728 people who have side effects when taking Letrozole from the … Dr. Barbara Toppin answered. Send thanks to the doctor. Femara (letrozole): One of the side effects of Femara (letrozole) is weight gain. Weight increased is found among people who take Letrozole, especially for people who are female, 60+ old, have been taking the drug for 2 - 5 years. This portion of the eMedTV archives lists some things you can try if you're on Femara and weight gain occurs (such as limiting your alcohol intake and eating heart-healthy foods). It is also used for women who have already had other cancer treatments (eg, tamoxifen). Femara (chemical name: letrozole) were shown to be more effective at reducing recurrence risk in postmenopausal women and are now used more often than tamoxifen to treat women who’ve gone through menopause. There are studies that suggest there might be a link, and those that fail to find a link. Most people take tamoxifen for 5 or 10 years. Letrozole was also shown to have similar efficacy to megestrol acetate in two large randomized studies. Femara is a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor (lowers estrogen production) used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Since weight gain may impact on outcome and compliance we have prospectively assessed the effects of these agents on weight change in three randomised trials for … Many women gain weight during breast cancer treatment. Specializes in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Letrozole is used to treat certain types of breast cancer in women who have already stopped menstruating (postmenopausal). Up to 11 percent of people who take Femara experience weight gain. I'm no longer on Letrozole - long story but nothing to do with my cancer treatment. Weight gain is commonly reported by breast cancer patients on tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors. Femara is a potent hormone drug and only your physician can assess if it can be of benefit to you and in what doses. Most address the question in the context of more general studies. Talk to your doctor about changing your medication. This therapy has several side effects, and one of them is weight loss. I had done a bit of research while taking it, I had a year of misery with stiff joints, hot flushes through the roof & feeling sluggish probably because of weight gain. A 34-year-old member asked: Can femara (letrozole) cause a miscarriage? Femara is often given to women who have been taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex, Soltamox) for 5 years.Femara is available in generic form. 11 percent of people who take femara experience weight gain is commonly reported by cancer. For 5 years.Femara is available in generic form: One of the side effects of femara letrozole. 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