LETZOL 5 Tablet 5?s Allschoolabs -

Description

INTRODUCTION
LETZOL 5 contains Letrozole which belongs to the group of medicines called Hormonal Chemotherapeutic agents. It is used to treat and prevent breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It can be given either as an initial therapy or following therapy with other medicines such as tamoxifen. It can also be used to prevent breast tumor from spreading to other parts of the body in patients with advanced breast cancer.
Breast cancer can be defined as the uncontrollable growth and division of cells present in the breast. It is predominantly caused due to hormonal imbalance (increased estrogen production) or due to lifestyle factors. Symptoms include breast pain or tenderness, purple or red colored breasts, nipple discharge and lump growths.
Letrozole is an aromatase inhibitor. It reduces breast cancer by suppressing the excessive release of estrogen (a female sex hormone) in the body that triggers breast cancer. This slows down or stops the cancer from growing and spreading to other parts of the body. Before taking LETZOL 5 inform your doctor if you have any problems in your kidneys or liver. You must also inform your doctor before taking LETZOL 5 if you have a history of any bone problems such as osteoporosis or joint pain.
LETZOL 5 is only intended for use in women who have reached their menopause. It is strictly not recommended for use in pregnant women as it may cause serious harm to the growing baby. The most common side effects of taking LETZOL 5 are hot flushes, fatigue, increased sweating, joint pain, hair loss, vaginal bleeding, and high blood cholesterol levels. Talk to your doctor if any of these side effect bothers you.
USES OF LETZOL 5

Treats and prevents breast cancer in postmenopausal women

HOW LETZOL 5 WORKS
LETZOL 5 is a hormonal chemotherapy medicine. It contains letrozole which is an aromatase inhibitor. It acts by blocking the actions of an enzyme called aromatase in the body which is involved in the production of estrogen (a female sex hormone). This suppresses the release of excessive estrogen in the body that triggers breast cancer. As a result, it slows down or stops the cancer from growing and spreading to other parts of the body.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Take LETZOL 5 as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. LETZOL 5 can be taken with or without food.
Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition. Continue to take LETZOL 5 for the stipulated duration instructed by your doctor to achieve better results.
SIDE EFFECTS OF LETZOL 5

COMMON

Hot flushes

Feeling weak or tired

Increased sweating

Joint pain, muscle pain

Skin rash

Headache, dizziness

Nausea, vomiting, indigestion, constipation, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, stomach pain

Swelling of arms, hands, feet, ankles, weight gain

Depression

Hair loss, dry skin

Vaginal bleeding

Palpitations (rapid heartbeat)

High blood cholesterol levels

UNCOMMON

Feeling anxious, nervous?or irritated

Drowsiness

Memory problems, insomnia (lack of sleep)

Pain or burning sensation in the hands or wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome)

Impaired sensation of touch, tingling or numbness

Vaginal discharge or dryness

Breast pain

Thirst, taste disorder, dry mouth

Weight loss

Urinary tract infection, increased frequency of urination

Cough

Inflammation of the mouth and lips (stomatitis)

RARE
Stop taking LETZOL 5 and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
Signs of blood clot in the body (such as difficulty in breathing, fainting, rapid heart rate, chest pain, bluish skin discoloration, leg, or foot pain)

Tendon rupture causing bone pain, inflammation of the tendons

Severe persistent blurred vision

Severe fever, chills, or mouth ulcers due to infections

Swelling and redness along a vein which is tender painful when touched

Sudden onset of oppressive chest pain

Signs of a brain disorder or a stroke (such as weakness, paralysis, or numbness in any part of the body, loss of coordination, nausea, or difficulty in speaking or breathing)

Signs of allergic reactions (such as swelling of the face and throat)

Hepatitis (symptoms include loss of appetite, dark-colored urine, yellow skin and eyes, nausea)

Signs of serious skin reactions (such as skin rash, red skin, blistering and peeling of the skin, accompanied with fever)

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS
Skin rash:
Avoid hot showers because hot water can irritate your skin further. Do not scratch the affected area. Use protective clothing when going outdoors. Regularly moisturize your skin. Consult your doctor if your skin rash worsens.
Headache: ?
Rest and relax. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes. Applying a pain-relieving balm on your forehead can be beneficial. Consult your doctor if your headache worsens.
Dizziness:
Try to rest and relax. Get enough sleep. Avoid driving or operating any tools or machines completely while you are feeling dizzy. Consult your doctor if your dizziness worsens.
WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

PREGNANCY
LETZOL 5 is intended for use in postmenopausal women. It should not be used by pregnant women as it may cause serious harm to the growing baby. Women who are in pre-menopause or has childbearing potential should use a suitable contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy while taking LETZOL 5.
BREASTFEEDING
LETZOL 5 is not recommended for use in breast-feeding women. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
DRIVING AND USING MACHINES
Do not drive or operate any machines if you feel dizzy, tired, drowsy or generally unwell after taking LETZOL 5.
ALCOHOL
Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking LETZOL 5 to avoid unwanted reactions.
KIDNEY
LETZOL 5 should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney diseases. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
LIVER
LETZOL 5 should be used with caution in patients with severe liver diseases. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
ALLERGY
Do not take LETZOL 5 if you are allergic to letrozole.
OTHERS
LETZOL 5 is not recommended for use if you:
Still have periods i.e., have not gone through menopause
Before taking LETZOL 5, inform your doctor if you have:
A history of bone fractures or osteoporosis

Osteoporosis (weak bones) or joint inflammation
Use in Pediatrics:
LETZOL 5 is not recommended for use in children and adolescents (aged below 18 years). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
Use in Geriatrics:
LETZOL 5 should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years or older). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
INTERACTIONS
A. Drug ? Drug interactions:
Before taking LETZOL 5 inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines such as:
Other medicines used to treat cancer (Ex. tamoxifen, anastrozole)

Cimetidine (a medicine used to treat stomach ulcer)

Warfarin (a medicine used for blood thinning)
Over dosage:
If you or anyone else accidentally took more LETZOL 5, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital.
SYNOPSIS

Drug :?? Letrozole

Pharmacological Category :?? Aromatase inhibitor

Therapeutic Indication :?? Breast cancer in postmenopausal women

Dosage Forms :?? Tablet, Capsule

MORE INFORMATION

Keep LETZOL 5 out of reach of children

Store LETZOL 5 at room temperature

FAQs ABOUT LETZOL 5
How does LETZOL 5 works?
LETZOL 5 is a hormonal chemotherapy medicine. It contains letrozole which is an aromatase inhibitor. It acts by blocking the actions of an enzyme called aromatase in the body which is involved in the production of estrogen (a female sex hormone). This suppresses the release of excessive estrogen in the body that triggers breast cancer. As a result, it slows down or stops the cancer from growing and spreading to other parts of the body.
Can I take LETZOL 5 during breastfeeding?
No. LETZOL 5?is not recommended for use in breast-feeding women. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking.
Can LETZOL 5 cause?headache?
Yes. LETZOL 5 may cause headache in some individuals. If you experience headache, rest and relax. Drink plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes. Apply a pain-relieving balm on the head if required. Do not consume alcohol. Consult your doctor if your headache worsens.
Can LETZOL 5 increase the risk of infections?
LETZOL 5 may cause a drop in the number of white blood cells in the body and may weaken your immune system. As a result, you may be at greater risk of getting infected while taking LETZOL 5. To avoid this, your doctor will regular monitor your blood counts as a precaution. However, inform your doctor if you experience any signs of infection such as fever.
Can the use of LETZOL 5 make me feel tired?
Yes. LETZOL 5 may make you feel tired easily. This is because, it reduces the levels of red blood cells in your blood and may make you anaemic. Consult your doctor if you experience tiredness after taking LETZOL 5. Tiredness can also occur if you have any pre-existing disease conditions such as liver or kidney impairment while taking this medicine.
Can I drive a car after taking?LETZOL 5?
LETZOL 5 may make you feel tired, dizzy, or drowsy. Therefore, do not drive or operate any heavy tools or machines if your ability is affected by LETZOL 5.
How to take LETZOL 5?
Take LETZOL 5 as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. LETZOL 5 can be taken with or without food.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose of LETZOL 5?
If you forget to take a dose of LETZOL 5, or vomited immediately after taking the dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take the medicine twice to make up for the forgotten dose.
How to control nausea caused due to LETZOL 5?
Generally, anticancer medicines are associated with uncontrollable nausea and vomiting. To avoid this, your doctor would prescribe a suitable medicine to control them along with LETZOL 5. If not, consult your doctor for a suitable anti-emetic medicine. Do not self-treat nausea.
REFERENCES
1. K.D. Tripathi, Essentials of medical pharmacology, Primary and secondary prevention of breast cancer. Chapter ? Hormones and related drugs. Seventh Edition. 2013. Page ? 314.
2. Dong-xu He Xin Ma, Clinical utility of letrozole in the treatment of breast cancer: a Chinese perspective. Onco Targets and Therapies. March 2016. [Accessed on 20th May 2022]?https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4780194/pdf/ott-9-1077.pdf
3. Ajay S. Bhatnagar. The discovery and mechanism of action of letrozole. NIH: National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information. PMC, PubMed Central. 3 Oct 2007. [Accessed 20 May 2022]?https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2001216/
4. Accord Healthcare Ltd. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in Jan 2020] [Accessed 20 May 2022]?https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.6054.pdf
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