Leyrozole sensitivity

[Nurse_BCN]

Hello Ruth

Thanks for posting. No need to apologise its sounds like you’ve had a difficult time since your diagnosis.

We do hear some women seem to get on with one brand of hormone therapy more than another. The medication itself is the same and works in the same way but it's often the other substances added to form the tablet that might cause different side effects. There is some research going into this.

From what we hear on the helpline, it tends to be the side effects such as the menopausal symptoms, that can worsen with certain brands, but this can vary from person to person. You may already have looked at this section of our Forums, but you could post your question here to connect with other women and share experiences.

Letrozole can cause a rash but as you say it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the rash you developed, especially now as you are having a skin reaction to the radiotherapy.  It's not clear if you have shown anyone the rash. The staff at the radiotherapy department are the best people to advice on how to manage a radiotherapy related rash.

When you see the practice nurse for your Zoladex injection, do explain about your rash and ask her about the possibility of getting a specific brand prescribed. Otherwise, you may need to contact some local pharmacies to see which brand they usually stock or if they can order from a specific drug company.

Do call our Helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000, (Relay UK -prefix 18001).

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Best wishes

Jane

Breast Care Nurse

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[RuthV]

Hi All

Newbie to the forum...

I was diagnosed with a Stage 1, grade 2 mixed tumour in January. Unfortunately my initial surgery date in early March was postponed due to MRSA positive swabs at pre assessment. I was put on letrozole as a stop gap while I treated and cleared the MRSA. About 10 days in I got an itchy rash initially on my upper chest and then the following g week spreading to my upper back. At the time I pondered whether this was the letrozole, the octenisan wash in the MRSA treatment pack or even a different conditioner! Difficult to pin down as I started them all at the same time. I was waiting 5 weeks for surgery and during that time was taking the Sun Pharma brand of letrozole. The rash settled after my op but I stopped the letrozole post op as the night sweats were a pain. Again Unfortunately (my journey seems to have been a series of unfortunates) I did not have clear margins after first surgery and so has 2nd op. Was told i might as well restart letrozole post op as hormone therapy was where we were heading. TBH I can't remember what brand but I am sure I finished off the Sun Pharma box (about 3 weeks) with no problems. My next prescription contained 2 different brands, Sun and Accord. By this time I had read about other women saying they had fewer side effects with the Accord brand so used those first. Started on the Sun pack 11 days ago and am starting to get the rash again. The problem this time is that I am also nearing the end of 15# of radiotherapy which is causing a bit of local skin reaction on the breast.

So my question is...what generally seems to be the problem with other brands of Letrozole that women have that they don't have with Accord. Is it general atopic sensitivity or is it more the menopause  symptoms. I am due to see my practice nurse in a few days for my zoladex jab and could ask for a new Accord letrozole prescription and bin the last 2 weeks worth I have left.

Sorry for the long ramble,

Ruth