Brand of Letrozole

[trayala]

Edit to add....I have extreme exhaustion.  Like have to lie down after I come home from work.  Even caffeine doesn’t help.  I have been trying to walk/exercise more to combat the exhaustion, but it’s rough.  But I am trying....

[trayala]

Hi, 

not sure if this thread is old....I am from the states and just am into my 3rd month of letrozole.  I know it’s generic for femara, however, had no idea the different brands/makers of this.  I just now checked and mine is aurobindo, from a aurobindo pharmacy in New Jersey, but it’s made in India.  So, for 10 weeks in, I do have horrible sweats, mostly my face...lol.  I don’t know why.  One or two bad night sweats.  Not sure if this is just the beginning of things to come.  I have heard that sometimes it takes 5-6 months to really see what’s going to happen.   Oh, I have gained weight.  About 3 pounds already.  Just dreading everything about this.  Hoping this is as bad as it gets.  But...if not, at least now I know to ask for a different maker!   Thanks so much.  Wishing you all the best!!!

Tracey

[Dew59]

Letrozole 2.5mg manufactured by Cipla

[Elaine54]

Yes, I had Sun for about 3 weeks. Felt so bad I would have given up treatment completely but came here and discovered that all letrozole is not created equal. Now on accord because I just can't find my first choice, which is Teva. I'm just considering trying to get femara. Found it on United pharmacies for £30 month and medex pharmacy at £120 month! Does anyone have any idea or experience on the subject of buying Femara? 

[boomster3]

Hello, 

i too am taking letrozole. I have since aug 10 2019. Like everyone else the joint aches are horrible. Mostly in my legs and hands. The worst is the way my head feels. It’s a weird lightheadedness. Like I’m spaced out. Somewhat dizzy. You said you experienced a foggy head. I guess that’s what I could be feeling. What did you do???

thxs

[Marla13]

I find this discussion so interesting because it's clear that certain oncologists believe that certain brands have certain side effects that others don't and some (my) oncologist believes that there are no differences between brands. 

Personally, I've not noticed a difference between brands but will report back here if I do!

xx

---

@Wotm wrote:

Hi 

I’ve been on Letrozole now for 3 years and as many of you experience the joint pain is in my opinion the worst side affect....has it increased for any of you over time??? I have tried Teva (don’t go there) awful, I’ve even had the original Femara (incidentally the chemist asked me why I had been prescribed this as there were ‘cheaper’ versions out there which cost 5p when Femara was something like £95!) I politely explained that I have a right to try other brands if my GP prescribes them for me to try and ease symptoms which are so debilitating.

I am currently taking Accord, I have a constant ‘ache’ in my thigh/knee which wakes me up in the night, saw the doctor Friday who has suggested I may have osteoarthritis 😢no pain killers ease the pain, I take turmeric and ginger supplements-I can say if nothing else I can’t remember the last time I had a cold, so definitely a benefit there.

any of you suffering with this pain in the knee/thigh?

thank you and best wishes to you amazing ladies xx

---

[Wotm]

So hopefully they may subside...thanks 🌹

[TVGirl]

 I started on Accord and that’s the only make I have taken. After a couple of months I developed painful finger joints. At 5 months I got  trigger finger which was cured with a cortisone injection. By five months  the fingers had got better but my feet were hurting. As my feet got better aches appeared in knees and elbows instead. As these got better it went to shoulders and neck. But I must say that all of these have improved and three years on I don’t any joint pains. I should add that when pains appeared I did some sport or a workout in the gym and the aches wore off very quickly, they were only a problem each morning when I woke up and the more I moved the quicker they subsided.

Hope that helps!

[Wotm]

Hi 

I’ve been on Letrozole now for 3 years and as many of you experience the joint pain is in my opinion the worst side affect....has it increased for any of you over time??? I have tried Teva (don’t go there) awful, I’ve even had the original Femara (incidentally the chemist asked me why I had been prescribed this as there were ‘cheaper’ versions out there which cost 5p when Femara was something like £95!) I politely explained that I have a right to try other brands if my GP prescribes them for me to try and ease symptoms which are so debilitating.

I am currently taking Accord, I have a constant ‘ache’ in my thigh/knee which wakes me up in the night, saw the doctor Friday who has suggested I may have osteoarthritis 😢no pain killers ease the pain, I take turmeric and ginger supplements-I can say if nothing else I can’t remember the last time I had a cold, so definitely a benefit there.

any of you suffering with this pain in the knee/thigh?

thank you and best wishes to you amazing ladies xx

[Surreyhillsgirl]

Hi All

i hope you don’t mind me contributing to this discussion. I’ve been on Letrozole for 21 months, I used to get very stiff joints and felt as if I was in my 90’s having to heave myself out of a chair and hobbling around if I had sat down for even a short while. My fingers were also quite stiff in the mornings and I had regular hot flushes. I was on the verge of giving up Letrozole but my GP prescribed the Accord brand as that was easier to cope with, and so that is the one my pharmacy supplies me with. My oncologist said he often meets women who seem to get on with one brand better than any other.  I did some internet research and started taking a high dose of glucosamine (1500 mg) every day plus fish oil capsules. Seven Seas Joint Care Max is the one I use. I also read that counter-intuitively exercising more despite the stiffness would help. I gradually increased exercising (aquarobics as it’s gentle on the joints), yoga, gentle exercise classes and walking more. The joint pain has disappeared as has the finger stiffness, and I feel more like my old self. I had a free course of acupuncture at my hospitals Macmillan centre to help with the hot flushes and night sweats. The night sweats stopped and the hot flushes are fewer and not so bad. For me it was not an option to give up as my tumour score was 8/8 for oestrogen and progesterone. Hope this helps anyone thinking of giving up. Please persevere.

[Dabi]

I have had two brands -Accord and Glenmark. I had no side effects with Glenmark but with Accord I lost over half of my hair and pain in my hand.  I have tried many chemists but cannot get Glenmark anymore. I will try taking supplements like you.....hope it works for me too.

[monicanatura]

Hi Ladies 

I’m on the Accord brand, my oncologist initially prescribed crescent, however my GP prescriptions have been Accord. 

Iv spoken with the pharmacist, who can only get the Accord brand in. 

I have not noticed much difference anyway, plus I take a whole range of supplements, to help with my immune system. 

[Squirrel17]

Hi, just wondering if anyone else has been prescribed Letrozole by 'Sun Pharmaceuticals of Spain', no actual name like Dr Reddys etc?. This is the latest prescribed AI that the GP pharmacy has given me, now my fourth different brand in five months.  Anyone else had a similar experience? Thanks

[TVGirl]

I spoke to Accord direct 3 years ago when I had trouble finding a pharmacy to get this brand for me. Even Boots said no. They were all worried about a recurring £5 special order charge which by law they are not allowed to pass on to the customer. Accord told me that it is a “Special Order Free of Charge from Alliance”. Accord told me to say that exact phrase to any pharmacist and then there should be no problem as long as the pharmacy deals with Alliance.

The irony is that Alliance and Boots are the same firm!

[Squirrel17]

Hi 1972rach

Have been taking Letrozole now for just over four months and have had three different brands in that time, first was Dr Reddys and have that brand again at the moment. I cannot say that any is worse than the other or any better, have the same hot flushes no matter which I am taking, but luckily I do not get any joint pain or other side effects, or not yet anyway. Am honestly hoping that as only had the hot flushes up until now that that will be it for the next four years and eight months. Hope all goes well.

[Jill1998]

Hi changing brand doesn't always affect people -some seem more sensitive than others .If your GP has specified Accord they should really try and get that for you .Some smaller chemists are not able to chose the manufacturers they by from - you may have to ask around to find one that is happy to order Accord for you .Boots used to order me 6 months worth of Teva brand Tanixifen at a time .If the chemist cannot swap it you could ask  the GP if they will issue you with a new prescription .

[1972rach]

Hi i was interested in your post and the other ladies on this topic. I have been on letrozole for a month and suffered some aches and pains in joints as per expected. The brand was Hetero Europe SL not sure which this is from the postings on this topic.

But just got my 2nd prescription and been given Dr Reddys. I am concerned and wondered if you experienced any worse side effects on this brand and if any one has an opinion on it. Or if indeed swapping between different brands don’t always effect women.

My GP did state accord on the prescription but it seems I did not get it, and wanted advice if possible before I potentially try and arrange a swap. 

Many thanks 

[Maria810_0]

How did it go?

[Mocot]

In relation to the brand of Letrozole, I have just visited 4 different pharmacies in an attempt to obtain either Accord or Cipla brands. Every chemist told me they were struggling to get Letrozole and had to take what they could!!! All offered me either Teva or Dr Reddy’s (a brand I had not heard of). I have just finished a months supply of Teva and experienced much worse joint pain, hot flushes and sweating hence my quest for Accord. This is all pre Brexit, if what the pharmacies say is true and they can’t get hold of their usual drug brands now, heaven help us all in the future.

Mocot

---

@Marla13 wrote:

Hi Celia,

I read your post with interest because I've been on Letrozole since Oct 2018: first box was Cipla, and ever since then I've been on the Accord brand. Till today, when my chemist gave me a box of Dr. Reddy's (I had never even heard of this brand) :). I queried why this brand and he said that not many of his patients are on Letrozole...which left me thinking that Dr. Reddy's must be cheaper, i.e., he doesn't want to pay a lot for one patient (as an example). I'm interested that you say it is more expensive. I honestly don't know the difference in cost between brands. I just know that I have been feeling OK on Accord and am now hoping I don't feel any different on Dr. Reddy's:). 

Watch this space....

xx

---

[Marla13]

Hi Helenann,

It's lovely to hear from you! I hope you are doing really well? I've only been on the new brand for 3 days so far too soon to tell but I am not expecting any major problems and am trying to believe all the doctors when they say that all the active ingredients are the same:). I had my first MRI post starting Letrozole and I am responding, which is great. It's too soon for it to have shrunk but it's changing (less enhanced) on the images which is what we want. I'm on a 3-month plan:). Every 3 months an MRI to keep an eye on things. I'm not too concerned and am slowly getting my life back on track but I do know that surgery is on the cards-the Q. is "which" surgery and only time will tell.

Sending you lots of love and really hoping you are doing well.

xxxx

[helenann]

Hi Marla - how's things going on the new brand of Letrozole?

I'm on the accord brand and not experiencing too many side effects at the moment - I think my system is adjusting to them.

When do you go back to see the consultant to check if the letrozole is working? Fingers crossed.🤞

Love

Helen

xxx

[Marla13]

Hi Celia,

I read your post with interest because I've been on Letrozole since Oct 2018: first box was Cipla, and ever since then I've been on the Accord brand. Till today, when my chemist gave me a box of Dr. Reddy's (I had never even heard of this brand) :). I queried why this brand and he said that not many of his patients are on Letrozole...which left me thinking that Dr. Reddy's must be cheaper, i.e., he doesn't want to pay a lot for one patient (as an example). I'm interested that you say it is more expensive. I honestly don't know the difference in cost between brands. I just know that I have been feeling OK on Accord and am now hoping I don't feel any different on Dr. Reddy's:). 

Watch this space....

xx

[Butterfly318]

I too have struggled getting consistant source.  On Tamoxifen TEVA was the best brand for me.  Yes it is cheaper but had least side effects for me.  TEVA Letrazole was the worst for me...... excrutiating joint pain, blurred vision, foggy head (I could barely function).  I find Accord tolerable but Sandoz is also good.  Supply is generally more reliable from TEVA as their production and distribution of these drugs is in Yorkshire.  My Pharmacist will always try to get the Brand i want but sometimes takes a while.

Good Luck with getting supplies Ladies.  Butterfly 318 x

[HFCHants]

I went through this and found Accord worked for me.  It also happened to be a brand the chemist was buying.  If your chemist won't get it, try changing chemists ! Good luck !

[rosarty]

Hello all. I've been following this discussion on Letrozole brand as I was prescribed it 5 months ago after switching from Tamoxifen. (Now confirmed post menopausal after surgery, chemotherapy , radiation and two years Tamoxifen)

To be honest I was a little sceptical that brand made a difference, however after starting off on Teva brand (cheap I believe) I started with the aching joints nausea and slight flushes. After doing a bit of research I asked my chemist to supply the Sandoz brand of which he had a couple of packets in stock. Managed about three months on that and I found it much easier on the body. The chemist then explained he couldn't obtain Sandoz any more and offered me the Accord brand (told him I definitely didn't want Teva!) Having read this forum people seem to find the Accord brand easier to take but guess what five days into taking this brand I've started with dry eyes, nausea in the morning, aching hips, shoulders and rigid fingers in the morning!! Feeling like I've done three rounds with Mike Tyson!!!

So yes it looks like brands DO make a difference.

I am going to contact chemist today and ask how I go about sourcing the Sandoz brand again. I've read that Sandoz is the most similar to the original Femara but it is more expensive than Teva,Accord etc. 

Wish me luck!!! I can see I've a battle on my hands. 😟 

[Jill1998]

Good luck Jude !

[Judeworth]

Hi Celia

Well tomorrow I’m asking for my repeat prescription with a request that they’ve dont mess with the brand, last time i rang the surgery they argued the toss that they had been on a course and it wasn’t true that different brands give fewer side effects!

Well what experience do they actually have if taking them! What puts them in this position that they can tell us this?  

I will let you know how it rolls ! 

Xxx

[Jill1998]

Just sending you a hug Celia and understanding your frustration .There most definately is a difference between brands -it's not pychological .And having 2 boobs of a similar size is not " cosmetic " ☹️

[celiawells]

I developed such stiff painful joints after 2-3 months on the Cipla brand of Letrazole that I requested Accord. Luckily it happened to be what the pharmacist had in stock anyway. I can't say I feel that much better, maybe a bit, but no worse. I just phoned the pharmacy to see if they could get Dr Reddys for me next time, having read what others say. I was told it's a special order and costs more. Not impossible to get, but has to be authorised by GP. She had the cheek to say that they read forums and what people claim about different brands, but said that some of it is psychological! I assured her the pain and stiffness I am sufferering is entirely physical, not "psychological". I accept that the chronic fatigue may be due to the cumulative effects of chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy treatment that started 15 months ago, but 6 months after finishing radiottherapy and being on hormone therapy alone I am most certianly not imagining the joint pain and stiffness.

Unbelieveable. This is on a par with being told that I can't have surgery to reduce the size of my good breast to match the one operated on to remove the cancerous surgery, as that procdure has now been deemed purely "cosmetic". I'd like to see the male GP who chairs the funding panel live with one testicle twice the size of the other, especially if it was extremely visible on the front of his body just under his face and he had to go to work like that every day for the rest of his life.

It really does add insult to injury to be told that what you know you need is just your imagination, or vanity.

[Judeworth]

I have been swapped onto Extemestane from Letrozole after experiencing horrendous pain and swelling in my hands.  My feet are affected to but not so bad as my hands.

Today I can see my knuckles & some wrinkles never been so happy to see wrinkles I can tell you!  Not as they where but a lot better.

Aswell as changing meds, I read up a lot on alternative ways to treat joint pain naturally as i really didn’t want to be taking more medication. So I started on Tumeric with Bioperine 6 weeks ago but what I think for me has made the bigges difference is Red LED light therapy, I use it as a mask after facial at work (beauty) so I thought well ive nothing to loose in trying it.  I can feel a difference straight after using it my fingers are not as tight !

You can use LED LIGHT THERAPY ANYWHERE  ON THE BODY SAFELY

If you google it you will see plenty of links where you can get one for your self Amazon sell them bit expensive but Ive found it a very helpful with the inflammation!

[Jo N]

Thank you for your very prompt reply Jill. I did go to Boots amongs many other chemists I tried and the assistant I was talking to was stood right next to the pharmacist who said all chemists get their drugs from specific suppliers and Dr Reddys was not one they could obtain. When I last saw my oncologist in December and told her my difficulties she tried to get me some Dr Reddys from the hospital pharmacy but they didn't have any so she said try Accord. After some initial pain in my hip joints, that now seems to have mostly settled down and I am feeling quite well, so perhaps like many ladies on this forum Accord will suit me too. I hope so as the last few months have been very hard to bear and I really did get to the point of asking to come off the drug altogether. I would certainly say to all those ladies on Letrozole that you should try a different brand if the one you are taking doesn't suit you. I am astonished that the different brands have such different side effects. It really doesn't help when your chemist keeps on changing the brand and I think that was what made things much worse for me. However by the chemist doing that at least I eventually found a brand that suited me better. I do think someone needs to educate the chemists that the brands do affect us differently as there seems to be a very entrenched view amongst many that all brands of the same drug are the same. Thankfully my oncologist was very supportive and told me it is well recognised that patients all respond differently to the various brands of the same drug.

[Kate21]

Hi Daisy, I know little about Tamoxifen but agree with Jill’s advice about trying different brands of Letrozole. I was initially on the Accord brand which suited me, then I was given the Cipla brand and the change, for the worse, was auful, back onto Accord and everything settled down. I know from reading on here that Accord doesn’t suit everyone but it does seem to agree with quite a few too, and there are others you can try. Agree, it is miserable, hopefully you will find one that suits you. All the best to you.

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and peaceful new year...Kxx

[Jill1998]

Daisy have you asked about switching to Tamoxifen or one of the other meds, they may suit you better ? Also have you tried different brands to see if that makes any difference ? Good luck ,it's totally miserable feeling rubbish all the time.

[Daisy63]

Hi ladies, I had my cancer removed in 2016 plus my nodes. First year mammogram came back clear. I have been put on letrozole and I just feel ill. I asked to go off it but was told no as it stops the cancer returning. But how do we live feeling crap all the time. 

I am tired, feel down, joint pains, hair thinning. Anxious. My get up and go has gone. 

Plus my head feels funny most days. I don't know what to do. 

Does anyone else feel like this. 😖😖😖😖😖😖

thank you x x x 

[Optimissy64]

Hi Janemc

I am not on Letrozole but Anastrozole, but I was prescribed the Accord brand from the first and have been on it for 10 months with no side effects, so the pharmacy have specified Accord on my repeat scrip. So if the Accord letrozole works for you then I'd be inclined to stick with it as I understand that some people struggle with side effects more on other brands. Side effects are not inevitable with any of these tablets as it is a very individual thing, so it may be that you are fine. Good luck with the rest of your treatment and recovery. xx

[Kate21]

Hi Janemc, just to say I’m taking Accord like many other ladies here and over on the secondaries board and it does seem to be one of the most popular brands of Letrozole. I definitely wouldn’t advise Cipla and think I’d be right in saying that seems to be the brand most have problems with! If you find Accord suits you, or whatever brand you go with, ask your pharmacist to make a note on your records to only give you that one. I’ve had minimal side effects really with Accord, hope it suits you. All the best, Kxx

[Jill1998]

Fingers crossed Jane -may be worth experimenting with different brands if you do see which suits you best .

[Janemc]

Hi I’ve just been prescribed Letrozole for 10years, had mx 10 days ago and no lymph node involvement and no other treatment, I have read with interest the differing side effects, I’ve got Accord brand for my first prescription. I am post menopause ( had hysterectomy 10 years ago) so hoping I won’t get a return of those symptoms x

[Jill1998]

Hi Jo,I had similar experience trying to get Teva Tamoxifen. -in the end Boots pharmacist agreed to order it for me and was very helpful - they get rated regularly on their performance so are keen to be helpful .Did you speak directly to the pharmacist in Boots - if not may be worth going in at a quiet time and having a chat .The small chemists are very restricted in who they buy their drugs from .Good luck .Jill.

[Jo N]

Hi can anyone please help me? I've been on Letrozole for 5 months now. Every time I go to the chemist they seem to give me different brands and I've had some terrible joint pain, fatigue and depression. Last month my chemist gave me 2 weeks of one brand, Cipla and two weeks supply of Dr Reddys. I didn't realise at first there were two different brands in the packet but as soon as I started taking Dr Reddys I felt infinitely better and more like my old self. My GP agreed to write Dr Reddys brand on my prescription and I was really hopeful my life was going to improve. However I now find I just can't get the Dr Reddys anywhere. No chemist has it in stock. I've tried Boots, Superdrug, LLoyds and all my little local chemists to no avail. In the end I have had to take some Accord which causes me awful pain in my hips.I'm shuffling around like a 90 year old. I rang Dr Reddys in Beverley who tell me they have plenty of Letrozole available. Could those of you taking Dr Reddys please tell me which chemist gets it for you? I came home the other day after driving round with my prescription and just wept with the frustration of it all. 

[Carolyn52]

The brand does have a lot of difference ..I have Accord and seem to be ok on that. Cipra for me was dreadful ..I think (?) Sandoz is made by the original brand of femera ( which is out of licence now) and so is probably a good option.
Previously I took tamoxifen and arimidex and both times was lucky to have the original brand not a generic ..it's the bonding agent that is used that causes the side effects ..the letrozole dose itself is the same .

[Nellie58]

Hi everyone. I have been taking Letrozole since 2012. Initially I was given Activas but the side effects were unbearable. My GP advised me to speak to the pharmacist at my local Cohens chemist. She was very understanding and agreed that there definitely is a difference in the side effects of different brands. She suggested changing to Sandoz, and apart from constipation (controlled by a very high fibre diet) I have had no other problems. Sandoz is not easy to come by and my pharmacy goes the extra mile to ensure that they source a supplier, even though the original pharmacist has left. My advise to anyone is to persist until you find a brand that suits you and don't let anyone tell you there is no difference. There is. The side effects of the trauma and treatment our bodies have been through is enough without having to put up with side effects of hormone therapy unnecessarily. Also, when you find a brand that suits you find a chemist that will make sure they always have it in stock. 

[Jill1998]

Good luck !!!

[Jules3005]

Hi all, just got back from pharmacist and she has given me Dr Reddy's to try, hope I'm OK on these, fingers crossed 🙂

[Jules3005]

Hi, I don't come on forum much but I started on letrozole in January and other than stiff joints, was Ok with it. But recently my brand changed from Manx to Cipla and since then I have had so much pain in my wrists and thumbs in particular. I can hardly do anything some days. I have spoken to my pharmacist who has been great and now tried Teva, which were the worst and Actavis, which weren't too bad. Think I will ask if I can try Accord as so many of you seem to be OK with them and may try Boots chemist instead. Hoping this all settles soon as it's really been getting me down. Also, I've heard Magnesium can help. Has anyone tried tablets or Epsom salt bath? Thanks  x 🙂

[Blueleyla]

Hi I have had Dr Reddys and Activist and no problems with either. I had Cipla for a week and didn't get on with it at all. It's written on my prescription not to give me the Cipla brand but pharmacist still gives it to me so always check before I leave the chemist. When I point it out to them so far they have been willing to swop brand but I do worry as I have been told they do not know which brand they are going to get. Just collected 2 months supply and another 2 months at the hemist with my name on so ok for 4months. Fingers crossed for after that

[Lesley123]

Hi been on Letrozol for a week mine are Dr Reddys also we will have to see how it goes, some people have bad symptoms and other's are ok with it, I take mine at night one of the ladies on here said it's better don't really want to take it but if it's going to keep cancer from coming back think I will try to persevere.

[Anniej]

Thanks, Over70. Reassuring - I was worrying it was a cheap genetic thing, but obviously not. X

[Over70]

Dr Reddy's was fine for me and I have arthritis in both knees. I did get mouth ulcers but I think they would have happened on any brand as I was told by dentist due to fluctuating hormones. All resolved now.

I just seem to switch between Dr Reddy's and Actavis.

Good luck anyway.x

[ollisj6]

Hi Brenda I originally started on cipla which was horrendous for me the joint pain was terrible I went to my gp and she requested accord brand and I can honestly say apart from first thing in a morning I have been fine she has put it on my repeat prescription which I get from Morrison's pharmacy and touch wood I've had no problems apart from one pharmacist who insisted there was no difference from one brand to another I was not a happy bunny and  unfortunately told him otherwise!!!!!! hope you get on ok love Judi xx