Generic Femara ( Letrozole )

Going through breast cancer treatment Hormone therapy
1

I have been taking the generic Femara for almost 2 months now after 2 years on the Novartis brand.

I have noticed that I have been getting terrible heartburn/acid reflux that isnt at all helped by xantac or other antacids and have been overly tired and have developed acne since starting this new generic version.

I would like to ask if anyone has noticed these side effects since switching your medication? ( I am assuming that most people are now getting the generic version rather than the original now)

The maker of my letrozole is now Ranbaxy ,

thanks in advance

SS

2

Hello SS

I have been on Letrozole for over 2 years and I have now been given the generic one called Mylan. I am about to go on holiday and luckily won’t start this packet for another 2 weeks as I have some Femara left to take on holiday.

It does concern me that there seems to be so much difference and I sat down this morning and looked at the different ingredients in each make. The generic one does seem to have additional ingredients in the coating.

The only side effect,I say only but it has been a bit of a problem and I cannot be sure that it is Femara, is that I have just been diagnosed with Burning Mouth Syndrome so I am not really happy that I might have more problems with the generic version.

I am going to have a word with my Pharmacist on Monday to make sure that I can change back to Femara if there is a problem, he is pretty accomodating so hopefully that will be okay or I shall speak to my GP.

We really don’t need these problems do we?

Hazel

3

There was recently a very intersting thread about this. I think if you put in a search you would get it as it had some really good information on there and some sharing amongst others on Femera. Definitely go back to your GP and discuss. We have enough to cope with without the things that are avoidable. Take care. J.

4

hi
Last month I got the generic form of letrozole.Can’t say I noticed any different side effects.Hot flushes have been gradually increasing over the past few months.Have had a couple of really bad turns along with the hot flushes recently.I don’t know if the fact you obviously get a build up of the drug in your system(I have been taking it for 2 years)means that the se,s increase? I have far more aches and pains recently, but I think a lot of that is just down to old age!
When I collected my prescription last week I was given Femera, maybe just a supply problem and you may get femara next time.

5

Hi,
I switched to ths Sandoz version as my chemist said it has the same product number and therefore has to be exactly the same. I have not noticed any difference at all in the side effects
Lily x

6

Had one month of Femara and then swtched to generic for last two months - no detectable sifference

K

7

Thank you very much everyone for sharing your experiences and thoughts on the generic letrozole.

Before I posted I went back 8 pages to see if this subject had been raised before, but I should have used the search as there does seem to be other posts, sorry,

thanks again

SS

8

So helpful to read this post. I have been on the generic form for one week “TEVA”. My side-effects from theNovartis version, taken for 6 months previously, had settled down quickly and were manageable. Now I have additionally daily splitting headaches, itchy skin and sore, puffy eyes. I feel really depressed and will ask the doctor WHEN I can get an appointment. It seems so unfair on top of everything else. I guess it depends on individual reactions, but I am desperately hoping I’ll be able to go back to the previous version. Not sure I could keep up if I had to continue with his stuff.

9

I have developed acid reflux too after being on generic coated ones for 1 month Have been given Zantac as its also giving me a burning dry throat. Have asked the pharmacist to switch to Sandoz ones as was ok on those - same ingredients as Famara

10

I have been taking generic Letrozole for about 18 months with very bad side effects increasing in severity - mostly cramping and painful legs, joints and hot flushes. The aching and cramping in my legs were so bad that I hobbled getting out of bed, and was finding it hard to drive because of the cramping in my feet and lower legs. The problem is compounded by having to have a knee replacement but I had that problem before I was treated for breast cancer - so am very aware of the pain caused by the arthritic knee and the side effects of Letrozole. At my first review with the surgeon a year after my mastectomy, the description I gave of the leg and foot pains she attributed to Letrozole.
I have changed brands a couple of times - and then read on various breast cancer forums about the possible reduction in side effects from Femara. I asked my doctor to give me a three month trial of Femara - so as I can see if the side effects reduce, to get me over the knee replacement and subsequent exercises. The cost was the barrier - but I have finally been allowed the trial because of my persistence and saying that I am on the point of stopping taking Letrozole altogether if I couldn’t give Femara a chance.
I am ten days into the Femara and already my legs feel different - especially in bed where they are not cramping so much and feel more relaxed. Also, standing is not so painful - I was able to stand and cook at the stove for longer without having to move and stretch. I know it’s early days but fingers crossed that the side effects are diminishing.

11

According to Novartis The manufacturer of Femara and according to BNF and other standard books Most common side effects associated with the use of <a href=“http://www.drugsbanks.com/2017/12/01/femara-letrozole/”>femara (letrozole)</a> includes; Nausea, Vomiting, Hot flushes, dyspepsia, dizziness, headache, diarrhea, constipation, anorexia, depression, hypercholesteremia, raised sweating, alopecia, increased craving, peripheral oedema, skin rashes, bone fracture, osteoporosis etc
Less common side effects include tachycardia, high blood pressure, palpitation, cough, dyspnea, anxiety, insomnia, memory impairment, taste distrurbance, urticaria, pruritis, dry skin, urinary frequency, abdominal pain, thrombophelbitis, urinary tract infection, viginal discharge, vigina bleeding, pyrexia, breast pain, cataract, blurred vision, eye irritation, leucopenia, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, tumor pain, and general oedema.
Very rare side effect includes: arterial thrombosis, cerebrovascular infarction, and embolism.

Note:These are expected side effects occur while using femara it may not appear or there must be other side effects not listed here you should consult your healthcare provider.