Letrozole before zoladex?

Going through breast cancer treatment Hormone therapy
1

Hi all,

I just collected my firsf lot of letrozole and zoladex today; I am waiting for my GP to ring to arrange my first injection. It occurred to me today that I hadn’t been told when to start the letrozole, although I assumed it would be after the first injection. I checked the zoladex leaflet and it said AIs should start 6-8 weeks afterwards. Anyway I rang the oncology unit to check and they have said I don’t need to wait for the zoladex and I should start letrozole straight away. Does that sound right? I’m premenopausal so surely the letrozole won’t be effective before the zoladex? I feel a bit confused :confused:

2

Hi Sharlou

I had my first Zoladex on Wed, at the same time started Exemestane. Not the same AI, but they are similar I guess.

I was initially going onto Letrozole, but oncologist changed it at my last appointment on Monday. He said to start it straight away as well. From what I read it’s not as effective while the ovaries are still working but doesn’t do any harm. Zoladex is supposed to start to kick in after a couple of weeks I believe.

First injection went well, nurse used a “freeze” spray and not had any reaction (yet). Hope it goes well for you.

Best wishes x

1 Like
3

Ah thank you so much Sal, I wasn’t sure if I was misunderstanding something!

Glad your first one went ok, hope you carry on with no reactions :blush:x

4

I started Zoladex a month before letrozole. That way if there was any reaction/side effect they would know which caused it

5

This is interesting to see because I wasnt told any of this stuff haha. I started on Tamoxifen first though so maybe that was the difference. I moved to Letrozole once I was fully menopausal and by then I was already having my Zoladex jabs