About your treatment

Your doctor has prescribed letrozole for you. Letrozole comes as a tablet to take by mouth.

This medication is used in women who have experienced menopause (change of life; end of monthly menstrual periods) to:

• treat breast cancer that has spread within the breast or to other areas of the body.
• treat early breast cancer in women who have already been treated with surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy. Letrozole is sometimes used right after these treatments and sometimes after 5 years of treatment with a medication called tamoxifen (Nolvadex). Letrozole is used to stop any cancer cells that remain after these treatments from spreading.

Letrozole is in a class of medications known as nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors. It decreases the amount of estrogen produced by the body. This can slow or stop the growth of some breast tumors that need estrogen to grow.

Letrozole is usually taken once a day, with or without food. Try to take letrozole at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain anything you do not understand. Take letrozole exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

You may need to take letrozole for several years or longer. Continue to take letrozole even if you feel well. Do not stop taking letrozole without talking to your doctor.

If you forget to take a dose of letrozole, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose and do not take more than one dose of letrozole in one day.

Other uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Storage conditions

Keep letrozole in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Special instructions

• Keep all appointments with your doctor.
• Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about refilling your prescription.

Brand names