How and when to take letrozole - Brand name: Femara

Dosage

Letrozole comes as 2.5mg tablets. The usual dose is 1 tablet taken once a day.

How to take it

Try to take your letrozole at the same time each day. You can choose a time that suits your routine. This will make it easier to remember to take your medicine.

Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water. Do not crush or chew it.

You can take letrozole with or without food.

How long to take it for

You'll usually take letrozole for about 5 years but it can sometimes be up to 10 years.

You may be prescribed letrozole on its own or letrozole and another breast cancer medicine called tamoxifen.

If you're taking both letrozole and tamoxifen, you'll usually take them together for the first few years and then letrozole on its own for the remaining time. Your specialist will tell you how long to take it for.

If you forget to take it

If you forget a dose of letrozole, take it as soon as you remember, unless your next dose is due in less than 3 hours. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Never take 2 doses at the same time. Do not take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice about other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

If you take too much

If you take too many letrozole tablets, you may feel sick, get blurred vision or a fast heartbeat.

If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.

Take the letrozole packet, or the leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine with you.

Stopping letrozole

If you want to stop taking letrozole for any reason, your doctor will be able to discuss alternatives for treating your breast cancer or preventing it coming back.

Sometimes people are given a short break from letrozole. This can help if you're getting side effects such as joint pain. However, only take a break from your medicine if you've discussed it with your specialist first and they agree to it.