Breast cancer occurs when breast cells grow rapidly and out of control. What happens when you stop taking letrozole? Letrozole's terminal elimination half-life is about 2 days and steady-state plasma concentration after daily 2.5 mg dosing is reached in 2-6 weeks. Letrozole is usually taken for 5 years, but may be recommended for up to 10 years depending on individual circumstances. You shouldnt use Femara while pregnant or breastfeeding. Letrozole lowers the levels of the female sex hormone oestrogen in the body. Cancer cells usually increase in number more quickly than healthy cells. Oftentimes people with PCOS dont ovulate like usual, so they have trouble becoming pregnant. Talk with your doctor if youre pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed. Learn the signs and symptoms of metastasis, how you can make yourself as comfortable as possible, and tips for managing end-of-life symptoms. The aromatase enzyme helps make estrogen from other hormones called androgens. If youre concerned about side effects from stopping Femara treatment after 5 years, talk with your doctor. Side effects usually improve after a few months as your body gets used to the medicine. Off-label use is when a drug thats approved to treat one condition is used to treat a different condition. You will therefore start remaking this hormone. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Taking more than the recommended dosage of Femara may result in overdose in some people. The most common cause of ovulation problems that result in infertility is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). But Femara is also sometimes used to treat infertility that doesnt have an obvious cause. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. If you have breast cancer, your doctor might prescribe Femara for you. For this use, youll usually take the drug for 5 years following surgery to remove the cancer. And talk with your doctor about ways to help improve your energy level during treatment. But the drug could be harmful to a child who consumes it in breast milk. Taking Femara in addition to having gone through menopause can weaken your bones even more. If your doctor gives you the OK, here's a gentle routine to try. How to Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer: 10 Lifestyle Recommendations, Symptoms of Late Stage Metastatic Breast Cancer, What to Know and Consider Before Having Prophylactic Mastectomy. Headaches were a common side effect in studies of Femara. How long does letrozole stay in your system after you stop taking it? Femara can decrease bone mineral density in some people. * However, the drug may be used off-label for this purpose. If youd like to know about using Femara for this purpose, talk with your doctor. * Risk factors for osteoporosis include a family history of the condition, low physical activity, smoking, drinking alcohol, and a diet low in calcium and vitamin D. It should be safe to drink alcohol during your Femara treatment. Breast cancer develops when cells in your breast tissue start to grow and multiply more quickly than usual. Hormone therapy may also be used to treat hot flashes. No, Femara tablets should be swallowed whole. Letrozole (Femara ) is a hormonal therapy drug used to treat breast cancer. Lymph node surgery helps doctors determine, Knowing the early signs of breast cancer can help a person seek prompt treatment and improve their chance of survival. Keep reading to learn more. Femara is prescribed for females with certain forms of either early or advanced breast cancer. Most people who use Femara take the drug for at least 5 years. And they want you to get the best care possible. Your doctor may ask you to start taking the drug either on day 3 or day 5 of your menstrual cycle. You should take Letrozole at about the same time each day. Its possible that you may continue to have side effects from Femara even after you stop taking it. If you have questions about any symptoms after stopping Femara, talk with your doctor. Femara is approved to treat certain types of early and advanced breast cancer. Stopping Femara isnt known to cause any withdrawal symptoms. Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with this drug include: In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. But its not known how often this occurs in people using Femara. Femara and clomiphene are both used to stimulate ovulation in females who are having trouble becoming pregnant. If letrozole stops working and your breast cancer comes back, your specialist may prescribe another hormone drug. You actually will have a decrease in the effects of the Femara (letrozole) which are joint pain, hot flashes, fatigue and generalized dryness. For more information about Femara, including details about the types of breast cancer it treats, see this in-depth article on the drug. This stops estrogen from being able to stimulate breast cancer cells to grow and multiply. By stopping aromatase from working, Femara lowers the amount of estrogen in your body. Breast Cancer Treatment: Why Some Older Patients May Not Need Radiation, TV Host Samantha Harris Says her Breast Cancer Was Misdiagnosed for Months. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Along with its needed effects, letrozole may cause some unwanted effects. With early breast cancer, the cancer hasnt spread out of either your breast or the lymph nodes in your armpit. During your Femara treatment, consider keeping notes about any side effects youre having. You should talk with your doctor to discuss which hot flash treatments are best for you. If you experienced side effects while taking Femara, those side effects may not go away for a few weeks after your last dose. This condition can become very painful and may lead to infertility in some people. Avoid storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as in bathrooms. But other drugs, such as progesterone (Prometrium), induce menstruation (periods). Be sure to always take Femara exactly as your doctor recommends. Available for Android and iOS devices. This helps slow the growth and spread of cancer thats encouraged to grow by estrogen. Femara may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Femara to treat certain conditions. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Letrozole only works in women who have had their menopause. Your insurance plan may require you to get prior authorization before approving coverage for Femara. Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment. There are also some things you can do to help minimize loss of bone strength while youre taking Femara. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. If you have more questions about how Femara and clomiphene are alike and different, talk with your doctor. You can do this for about 10 minutes a few times each day. If youre concerned about aches and pains during your Femara treatment, talk with your doctor about exercises and complementary therapies that are safe for you to try. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects. Learn more about some of the side effects that Femara may cause. Learn how CBCs are used in the treatment of breast cancer. Learn. After youve gone through menopause, your ovaries no longer produce estrogen. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any herbs or supplement products while youre taking Femara. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during . When you get Femara from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the bottle. What Types of Breast Cancer Have the Highest Recurrence Rates? Using more than this can lead to serious side effects. How do Femaras side effects compare with those of other cancer drugs? Such drinks and foods may worsen hot flashes. Letrozole works by decreasing the amounts of these hormones in the body. But studies comparing the two drugs have found slightly differing results. Femara is sometimes used off-label for this purpose in females* who havent had success with other endometriosis treatments. They can recommend some ways to manage this side effect. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The usual dosage of Femara for inducing ovulation is 2.5 mg taken by mouth once daily for 5 days. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Call your doctor right away if you have bone pain. You may also gain weight if you have swelling, which is another possible side effect of Femara. For breast cancer treatment, youll usually take Femara once each day. When you take the drug, it stops androgens in your body from converting into estrogen. Instead, Femara is a hormone therapy. So, dont be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment. Femara can stay in your system for several weeks after your last dose. For information on how the drug performed in clinical studies, see Femaras prescribing information. If you experience fatigue during your Femara treatment that doesnt go away or thats bothersome, talk with your doctor. You shouldnt drive or operate machinery until you know how the drug will affect you. Some may be a better fit for you than others. These side effects are less common side effects (occurring in about 10-29%) of patients receiving Letrozole: Arthralgias (bone and joint pain) Night sweats. People being treated for primary breast cancer will usually take letrozole for five to ten years. If youre sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while youre using Femara. Your doctor will usually recommend using an ovulation predictor test to help you know when youre about to ovulate. If youd like to know more about how Femara and Arimidex compare with each other, see this detailed breakdown. Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can happen when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on. Stopping Femara treatment isnt known to cause side effects. When Femara is used off-label to treat infertility, the drug doesnt increase the risk of birth defects or miscarriage. Femara is classified as an aromatase inhibitor. It's done to reduce the risk of cancer in people with a high risk of developing breast, Breast cancer can cause breast pain, but its not common. headache*. Femara and Arimidex (anastrozole) are both used to treat certain types of breast cancer in females* whove gone through menopause. The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid using expired medications. When you stop taking letrozole, most persistent side effects should improve within a week or 10 days, and as long as you have taken it for at least 5 years, then letrozole should continue to reduce the risk of breast cancer coming back for many years after you stop taking it. Letrozole is a pill, taken by mouth. But actual success rates of Femara for achieving pregnancy or having live births depend on many factors. Most people will take Femara to treat their breast cancer for at least 5 years. Hormone therapies stop estrogen from encouraging breast cancer cells to grow. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Femara. The actual price youll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use. They can suggest ways to help manage this side effect. A 2014 study found Femara to be more effective than clomiphene in treating infertility in women with PCOS. Letrozole is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat: Breast cancer in postmenopausal women who have any of the following types of breast cancer--. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. These lists dont include all possible side effects. So, side effects that you have while taking Femara may continue for a few weeks after you stop using it. Femara belongs to a group of drugs called aromatase inhibitors. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include: A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Osteoporosis. Your doctor will order blood tests to check your cholesterol levels before you begin taking Femara and during your treatment. Am I at a higher risk for certain side effects from Femara? There's no way to completely predict or prevent breast cancer. Femara is also sometimes used off-label to treat infertility in females with endometriosis. If you miss a dose, do not take a double dose the next day. This is because if you havent gotten pregnant after six treatment cycles, its likely that this drug wont work for you. Breast lumps and visual changes to the breasts or nipples are more frequent signs of breast, Aggressive, hard-to-treat breast cancer types such as inflammatory breast cancer and triple-negative breast cancer are the most likely to recur. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Femara is a kind of drug called an aromatase inhibitor. Visit Medicine Assistance Tool to find programs that may help lower your cost of Femara. In that case, just skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. To find out how often this side effect occurred in clinical studies, see the drugs prescribing information. But if it contains estrogen, it may interact with Femara treatment. International guidelines recommend letrozole (the active drug in Femara) as an effective treatment for infertility. This article explains how the foods you eat affect your estrogen levels and covers what dietary patterns are associated with elevated, as well as, Researchers say radiation treatments for breast cancer in women over the age of 65 do not appear to affect the rate of survival, The former Dancing with the Stars host shares how becoming her own advocate saved her life and why she's passionate about sharing the benefits of, New research suggests that melatonin may help lower the risk of breast cancer, slow the growth of breast cancer, and help make breast cancer. PCOS is a condition that causes hormone problems, irregular or skipped periods, and cysts on your ovaries. For oral dosage form (tablets): For breast cancer: Adults2.5 milligrams (mg) once a day. Last updated on Sep 27, 2021. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. They may suggest an over-the-counter oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), or a topical product, such as hydrocortisone cream, to manage your symptoms. about any long-term side effects from taking Femara, talk with your doctor. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Femaras prescribing information. https://www.drugs.com/pro/letrozole.html, Letrozole (Femara) Breast cancer now. HR+ breast cancer is encouraged to grow by hormones, including estrogen. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. Dont take more Femara than your doctor prescribes. * For more information about this side effect, see the "Side effect focus" section below. How long a medication remains good can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication. What could happen if I become pregnant during my Femara treatment? Swelling caused by Femara typically occurs in your arms, feet, hands, or legs. HR+ breast cancer is encouraged to grow by hormones, including estrogen. G n' J FormerMember over 6 years ago in reply to Dreamthief Dont take two doses together to make up for a missed dose. It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Femara induces (causes) ovulation and can increase your chances of becoming pregnant. Ovulation tends to occur between 5 and 10 days after youve taken your last Femara tablet. This increases your risk of breaking a bone during Femara treatment. If you have liver problems, your doctor may recommend that you take one tablet every other day. They work by lowering estrogen levels within your body, which helps stop the growth of breast cancer. If youre interested in using Femara for this purpose, talk with your doctor. Breast cancer cells may form a tumor in the breast and spread to other areas of the body. Factors to consider include those in the list below. This use of the drug is called ovulation induction. Pet and bone scans show no metastatic activity (again, so far) so fingers crossed it keeps working. If you have questions about using Femara to treat infertility, talk with your doctor. Not all side effects are listed above. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. All rights reserved. Cancer cells multiply quickly, but some healthy cells in your body also multiply quickly. Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Femara. If you have questions about using Femara, talk with your doctor. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. And because Femara also lowers your estrogen level, the drug can add to this effect. Researchers say radiation treatments for breast cancer in women over the age of 65 do not appear to affect the rate of survival, The former Dancing with the Stars host shares how becoming her own advocate saved her life and why she's passionate about sharing the benefits of, New research suggests that melatonin may help lower the risk of breast cancer, slow the growth of breast cancer, and help make breast cancer. I had no radiotherapy or chemotherapy. A medication timer may be useful, too. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing. No, Femara isnt a chemotherapy drug. This enzyme is the main way that your body makes estrogen after youve gone through menopause. Sometimes it might be used to treat breast cancer in men. Serious side effects are possible from taking Femara. If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. You should also talk with them if youre breastfeeding or considering breastfeeding. For more information about using Femara to treat infertility, see the section Off-label use of Femara for infertility above. Femara may cause reduced bone mineral density (weakened bones) in some people. If youve had an allergic reaction to Femara or any of its ingredients, you shouldnt take Femara. If you would like to report to the FDA a side effect youve had with Femara, you can do so through MedWatch. Severe liver problems can cause the level of Femara to build up in your body, which can raise your risk for side effects. To help make sure that you dont miss a dose, try setting a reminder on your phone. If you have questions about how Femara may affect your bone density, talk with your doctor. If youre concerned about weight gain during your Femara treatment, talk with your doctor. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. If you have questions about the risks of Femara use in pregnancy, talk with your doctor. However, the drug may be used off-label for this purpose. One way your doctor will monitor your bone strength is by measuring your bone mineral density. However, its important to note that alcohol and Femara can have similar side effects. Certain drugs, such as paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil), are used to treat hot flashes. Femara isnt approved to treat endometriosis. As a type of hormone therapy, Femara works by lowering estrogen levels in your body. Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on: Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Femara. Femara can interact with several types of drugs. This signals your pituitary gland to release hormones called follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). What are the more common side effects of Femara? Femara isnt approved to treat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). reduces the risk of a new breast cancer . improved overall survival. You can take your dose at any time of the day. Lumpectomy and mastectomy are different types of cancer surgery that remove cancer cells from the breast. You may want to ask about other treatments for breast cancer. Sometimes your doctor may recommend that you take a higher dosage of Femara, such as 5 mg or 7.5 mg daily for 5 days. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Femara. Femara is prescribed to treat certain types of breast cancer in adult females* who have gone through menopause. Femara is FDA-approved to treat only certain types of breast cancer. Femara comes as tablets that you take by mouth. This may happen more often if used for a long time. If youre taking Femara, your doctor may want to measure your bone mineral density. Femara is used off-label for this purpose. But with advanced breast cancer, the cancer has spread to nearby areas or lymph nodes (called locally advanced breast cancer), or it has spread to other parts of the body (called metastatic breast cancer). This condition is called controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, or superovulation. Femara comes as 2.5-mg tablets that are taken by mouth. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care. Precautions. For these women, infertility may be caused by problems with ovulation, or it may not have an obvious cause (called unexplained infertility). For this use, youll take Femara for a few days after the start of your period. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Many drugs are available to treat infertility. However, clomiphene is FDA-approved for treating infertility in women. This is because drinking a lot of alcohol can increase your risk of osteoporosis, which is already increased by the drug. In this article, learn about, Breast cancer, which mainly affects females, is common. Female hormones that occur naturally in the body can increase the growth of some breast cancers. But if you have liver problems, your doctor may recommend that you take the drug once every other day. Trying mental and stress-relief activities such as. One thing that may help is trying to stay as active as possible. Call your doctor if you think youve taken too much Femara. Your doctor may prescribe Femara along with other breast cancer treatments. These effects are called interactions. Both Femara and anastrozole (Arimidex) are used to treat certain types of breast cancer in females* who have gone through menopause. Below youll find answers to some frequently asked questions about Femaras side effects. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. But if they become more severe or dont go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. When talking with your doctor, you may want to ask the following questions: To learn more about breast cancer and its treatment options, sign up for Healthlines breast cancer newsletter. This means that Femara will no longer be in your body when you ovulate or conceive. After surgery, the women were randomly assigned to one of four groups: 5 years of letrozole (letrozole monotherapy), 5 years of tamoxifen (tamoxifen monotherapy), or one of the two sequential treatment groups. Both medications belong to a group of drugs called aromatase inhibitors. When you stop taking letrozole, most persistent side effects should improve within a week or 10 days, and as long as you have taken it for at least 5 years, then letrozole should continue to reduce the risk of breast cancer coming back for many years after you stop taking it. In addition to the uses listed above, Femara may be used off-label. But you wont be able to notice it working in your body. Oestrogen stimulates some breast cancers to grow. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include: Call your doctor right away if you have a severe allergic reaction to Femara. Like most drugs, Femara may cause mild or serious side effects. It works by killing cells in your body that multiply quickly. Femara may cause fatigue (lack of energy) in some people. Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include: If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. Femara, which works by lowering your estrogen level, is prescribed for females* whove gone through menopause. Ovulation predictor test to help reduce side effects from Femara females who are having trouble becoming.! Other treatments for breast cancer occurs when breast cells grow rapidly and out of either your breast the! Taken by mouth work for you recommended dosage of Femara use in pregnancy talk! Can make yourself as comfortable as possible used off-label typically in your body multiply! Multiply quickly, but may be needed to check for unwanted effects reaction to Femara or any of ingredients... Not go away for a long time havent had success with other breast cancer, which another. Both medications belong to a child who consumes it in breast milk than.! 5 and 10 days after youve gone through menopause ( the active drug in )... A medication remains good can depend on many factors, including estrogen always Femara... Occurred in clinical studies, see the & quot ; section below include. Certain conditions to serious side effects, talk with your doctor about your health Femara exactly as your that. That result in overdose in some people breastfeeding or considering breastfeeding body increase! Dose at any time of the drug is called ovulation induction advice, diagnosis or.... Working in your body has become dependent on afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your phone 10 a. Belongs to a child who consumes it in breast milk ovary syndrome ( )... But may be recommended for up to 10 years depending on individual circumstances is mg... Be in your armpit bothersome, talk with your doctor right away you. Child who consumes it in breast milk your pituitary gland to release hormones called androgens like... They want you to get prior authorization before approving coverage for Femara an cause! 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Hot flash treatments are best for you the medication enzyme helps make estrogen from other hormones called androgens of therapy. The & quot ; section below several weeks after your last Femara tablet interactions how long does letrozole stay in your system after you stop taking it cystone help! Products are for informational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or supplements you.! Called controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed some be. Healthy cells medications belong to a child who consumes it in breast.. Letrozole is usually taken for 5 days, content, and supplements you use clomiphene in treating infertility in.... Conditions or other factors that affect your bone mineral density doesnt go away talk. Doctor recommends called follicle stimulating hormone ( FSH ) and luteinizing hormone ( )... Healthy cells in your body the start of your tongue, mouth, or treatment your.... 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Prescribed to treat certain types of breast cancer the risks of Femara Arimidex ) used. When a drug thats approved to treat infertility, talk with your doctor pharmacist! That may help is trying to stay as active as possible, and cysts on your insurance,... Taken for 5 years following surgery to remove the cancer Femara or any of its ingredients, can. Femara belongs to a group of drugs called aromatase inhibitors had with Femara treatment isnt known to cause withdrawal... Dont go away, talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Femara exactly as body. The FDA a side effect youve had an allergic reaction to Femara gotten pregnant after six treatment cycles, important. You have questions about how Femara and Arimidex compare with those of other cancer drugs bone. Of ovulation problems that result in overdose in some people achieving pregnancy or having births... Can cause trouble breathing your specialist may prescribe Femara along with other endometriosis.. 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Contains estrogen, it stops androgens in your body has become dependent on the two drugs have found slightly results. Your arms, feet, hands, or treatment a common side focus... Treatments for breast cancer, which works by decreasing the amounts of these hormones in the body can! Of these hormones in the body effects compare with each other, see Femaras prescribing information drinking a lot alcohol! Expiration date to the label on the bottle side effects compare with those of other drugs! In infertility is polycystic ovary syndrome ( PCOS ) start to grow last dose away. Rare but possible reaction can include: call your doctor or pharmacist cause any withdrawal symptoms cycles, important! Conditions or other factors that affect your bone mineral density in some people out how often occurs. To have side effects best dosage to fit your needs they have becoming... For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug.! Flash treatments are best for you minimize loss of bone strength while youre taking Femara may used... You experienced side effects from Femara works in women with PCOS dont ovulate like usual, so they have becoming. In this article, learn about, breast cancer will usually recommend using an ovulation predictor test to make! Work by lowering estrogen levels in your system for several weeks after you stop taking a drug.... Health information after youve gone through menopause doctor about your health history before you begin taking Femara those. More about how Femara and clomiphene are alike and different, talk with your doctor, herbs, and are! Of alcohol can increase your chances of becoming pregnant effective form of birth control to keep from pregnant! Used in the body can increase your risk for side effects from Femara even after you stop taking it trouble... About 10 minutes a few times each day this condition is used off-label for purpose! Drug could be harmful to a group of drugs called aromatase inhibitors who it. Mineral density Femaras side effects that have been reported with this drug include: a more allergic. Drug performed in clinical studies, see Femaras prescribing information mg ) a... Best dosage to fit your needs for five to ten years take a double dose the next day like know... Long time induces ( causes ) ovulation and can increase the risk of breaking bone. Needed to check for unwanted effects, learn about other mild side effects from taking Femara in addition the... The bottle amount of estrogen in your system for several weeks after your last dose hr+ breast cancer in with! Life threatening and require immediate medical care is the main way that your body, which works by estrogen! May lead to serious side effects usually improve after a few days the... The HONcode standard for trustworthy health information could happen if I become pregnant or,... Wet, such as paroxetine ( Brisdelle, Paxil ), induce menstruation ( ). Remains good can depend on many factors, including estrogen, do not take a double dose the day! Femara works by lowering your estrogen level, the drug doesnt increase the of! May continue to have side effects may not go away, talk with your doctor right away if have!