Hints and tips for taking Letrozole

Hi everyone,

I know lots of you will be taking/ have taken Letrozole. Could you please give me any hints and tips for taking it? Best time of day, any supplements (I know about calcium and vitamin d), dealing with side effects etc. I’ve been discharged today by the consultant, with a prescription for Letrozole, and want to make sure I am fully prepared for what’s ahead.

Many thanks xx

  • Thanks Jolamine,

    I’m only taking calcium, magnesium and a multivitamin at the moment. I’ll certainly check before trying anything else. 

    xx

  • Hi Rumpelstiltskin 

    That doesn’t sound too bad. I’m glad your supplements help. Fingers crossed for a similar outcome for me! xx

  • Hi Jolamine,

    That’s useful to know, about the different brands. 
    I took my tablet this morning but will try the evening if need be. I’ve got myself one of those tablet organiser things- I’ve always thought they were for old people!! Haha ! xx

  • Hi GoonerGirl,

    I used to think that they were for old people too - now I can't find one big enough to take all my tablets. Give yourself time to try Letrozole in the mornings first of all. If you're having trouble with it then try the evenings instead.  I sincerely hope that you are one of the lucky ones and that it turns out well for you.

    Kind Regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Two weeks in. Yesterday was the worst day on it. Got a headache all the back of my head paining. Too Nurofen it just filled it a bit. Then bawled my eyes out last night. . Pains in back. Have urinary tract infection too, back ache terrible. It feels like all my old injuries have flared up. I don’t know what to do. 

  • Hi MaisieP,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    I am sorry to hear that you are having problems with Letrozole too. The side-effects sometimes settle when you have been taking it for a few weeks. You say that you have an UTI at the moment too - this will also make you feel pretty low. Can I ask how you got your previous injuries and what they were? Try to persevere for a little longer, then have a chat with your breast care nurse if you are still suffering. You can try some of the suggestions above. If not there are alternative hormone therapies, but almost all cause some sort of side-effect.

    I had 2 bouts of breast cancer within a year of each other. I took Tamoxifen for the first year and Letrozole for the following 5½ years. I had a number of nasty side-effects, but I'm glad that I persevered, as it is now 15 years since I was first diagnosed. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx