Letroz 2.5MG (Letrozole)

Letroz 2.5MG is Sun Pharmaceutical's letrozole tablet, 2.5 mg, in a strip of 5 tablets. Letrozole is a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor, the most potent of its class at lowering oestrogen.

Letrozole is approved for hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer in women after the menopause, before and after surgery and in advanced disease. It is also widely used, off label but with strong evidence, to induce ovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, where it has largely replaced clomifene as the first choice.nnIn men it is prescribed off label for high oestradiol, gynaecomastia and some cases of infertility, under specialist care.

Letrozole blocks the aromatase enzyme that turns androgens into oestrogen, reducing oestradiol by more than 95%. In breast cancer that removes the hormone the tumour grows on. In ovulation induction the brief drop in oestrogen during the early cycle makes the pituitary release more FSH, which grows a follicle; because letrozole clears quickly, oestrogen recovers in time for a normal uterine lining, which is its advantage over clomifene.

The breast cancer dose is one 2.5 mg tablet a day, with or without food, for five years or as the oncologist directs. For ovulation induction it is taken for five days early in the cycle, at the dose and days the fertility doctor sets, with ultrasound monitoring. Men are prescribed smaller or less frequent doses from blood tests. Follow the prescription; more letrozole does not mean a better result and drives oestrogen too low.

• Hot flushes, sweating and tiredness.n- Joint, muscle and bone pain.n- Bone density loss and a higher fracture risk with long use.n- Headache, dizziness and nausea.n- Raised cholesterol.n- Hair thinning and rash.n- In men: joint pain, low libido, erectile problems and low mood when oestradiol drops too far.

Letrozole is not taken in pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and in ovulation induction a pregnancy test is done before each course. It is not used in women before the menopause for breast cancer unless combined with ovarian suppression. Bone density, cholesterol and liver function are monitored during long treatment. Tell your doctor about osteoporosis, liver disease or kidney disease.