Letrole 2.5mg

Letrole general information

What is Letrole used for?

Letrole tablets 2.5mg are used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women at various stages of tumour development.  Letrole tablets 2.5mg are used in early breast cancer that has been identified as hormone receptor positive for oestrogen, as adjuvant treatment in addition to the primary treatment which is surgery, to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.  Adjuvant treatment with Letrole tablets 2.5mg is known as hormone therapy and other forms include radiation, cytotoxic (chemo), biological or targeted therapy.  Letrole tablets 2.5mg are also used as extended adjuvant treatment in early breast cancer following standard adjuvant therapy with tamoxifen, which is a targeted therapy for breast cancer, for between 4.5 and 6 years.  Letrole tablets 2.5mg are also used as first-line treatment in postmenopausal women with advanced or metastatic breast cancer, which is when the tumour has spread out of the breast tissue to the lymph nodes or other tissues like the bones, lung and liver; and following prior treatment with other anti-oestrogen drugs.  Letrole tablets 2.5mg are only effective in breast cancers that are positive for oestrogen receptors, which is the most common form of breast cancer and are dependent on oestrogen for tumour growth. 

How does Letrole work?

Letrole tablets 2.5mg contain letrozole, which is a potent and highly selective inhibitor of aromatase, an enzyme that is involved in the biosynthesis of the female hormone oestrogen and is used to treat oestrogen receptor positive breast cancers in postmenopausal women.  In premenopausal women the primary source of oestrogen production are the ovaries and oestrogen is involved in producing secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development and in regulating the menstrual cycle.  In postmenopausal women, when oestrogen production by the ovaries ceases, low levels of oestrogen are made in peripheral tissues, such as fat cells throughout the body; also by some breast cancer cells.  In postmenopausal women oestrogen is derived primarily from androstenedione, which is produced by the adrenal glands, and converted to oestrone by the action of the aromatase enzyme.  Oestrone is then further converted to oestradiol, which is the most active form of oestrogen.  Many breast cancers have oestrogen receptors and their growth is stimulated by oestrogen; low levels of oestrogen may be sufficient to maintain growth of these breast cancer cells.  Letrozole in Letrole tablets 2.5mg blocks the action of aromatase, preventing the formation of oestrogen in peripheral tissues and in breast cancer cells, which helps prevent growth of oestrogen-dependent breast tumours.

What does Letrole contain?

Letrole tablets 2.5mg contain the active ingredient letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor that blocks oestrogen biosynthesis and is used to treat breast cancer.  They also contain lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, maize starch, sodium starch glycollate, magnesium stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide. The film coating contains hypromellose, polydextrose, triacetin, macrogol, iron oxide yellow (E172), quinoline yellow aluminium lake (E104), iron oxide red (E172) and titanium dioxide.

Treating breast cancer with Letrole

Letrole tablets 2.5mg contain letrozole, which is a potent and highly selective aromatase inhibitor that is used to treat oestrogen receptor positive breast cancers at various stages of tumour development in postmenopausal women.  Letrole tablets 2.5mg are used for adjuvant hormone therapy in early breast cancer following surgery, to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.  Letrole tablets 2.5mg are also used for advanced or metastatic breast cancer as first line therapy or following other hormone therapy.  Letrozole in Letrole tablets 2.5mg blocks the action of aromatase, an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of the female hormone oestrogen, in peripheral tissues, such as fat cells and also by some breast cancer cells.  Most breast cancers have oestrogen receptors and their growth is stimulated by oestrogen; low levels of oestrogen may be sufficient to maintain growth of breast cancer cells.  Letrozole in Letrole tablets 2.5mg blocks the action of aromatase, preventing the formation of oestrogen and helping to prevent growth of oestrogen-dependent breast tumours

What are the side effects of Letrole?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Letrole tablets 2.5mg include: hot flushes, joint pain or stiffness, dry skin, rash, gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea), headache, dizziness, feeling weak, (asthenia), fatigue, vaginal dryness and bleeding, sleepiness, hair loss, anorexia, appetite increase, depression, hypertension (high blood pressure), increased sweating, peripheral oedema.

When should Letrole not be used?

You should not use Letrole tablets 2.5mg if you:

• are allergic to letrozole or any ingredients in Letrole
• are premenopausal, pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• have a history of osteoporosis and/or bone fractures, without discussion with your doctor
• are taking medicines that interact with Letrole including oestrogen containing medication or tamoxifen, another breast cancer drug, without discussion with your doctor

How should Letrole be taken?

You should take your Letrole tablets 2.5mg swallowed whole with a glass of water once a day with or without food.  You should continue cancer to take your Letrole tablets 2.5mg as adjuvant therapy for early breast cancer for 5 years or until the tumour has relapsed before 5 years.  For advanced cancer you should continue to take your Letrole tablets 2.5mg until the tumour has progressed further or for as long as recommended by your doctor.

How long should you take Letrole?

You should continue cancer to take your Letrole tablets 2.5mg as adjuvant therapy for early breast for 5 years or until the tumour has relapsed before 5 years.  For advanced cancer you should continue to take your Letrole tablets 2.5mg until the tumour has progressed further or for as long as recommended by your doctor.

Missed dose of Letrole

If you miss a dose of Letrole tablets 2.5mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Letrole be stored?

You should store your Letrole tablets 2.5mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.