Letrozole Dosage
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2024.
Applies to the following strengths: 2.5 mg
Usual Adult Dose for:
Additional dosage information:
Usual Adult Dose for Breast Cancer
2.5 mg orally once a day
Duration of therapy:
- Adjuvant and extended adjuvant settings: Optimal duration is unknown; discontinue therapy at relapse.
- Advanced disease: Until tumor progression is evident.
Uses:
- Adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive early breast cancer
- Extended adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer in postmenopausal women who have received 5 years of adjuvant tamoxifen therapy
- First-line treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive or unknown locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer; second-line treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women with disease progression following antiestrogen therapy
Usual Adult Dose for Breast Cancer - Adjuvant
2.5 mg orally once a day
Duration of therapy:
- Adjuvant and extended adjuvant settings: Optimal duration is unknown; discontinue therapy at relapse.
- Advanced disease: Until tumor progression is evident.
Uses:
- Adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive early breast cancer
- Extended adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer in postmenopausal women who have received 5 years of adjuvant tamoxifen therapy
- First-line treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive or unknown locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer; second-line treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women with disease progression following antiestrogen therapy
Renal Dose Adjustments
CrCl 10 mL/min or greater: No adjustment recommended.
CrCl less than 10 mL/min: Data not available
Liver Dose Adjustments
Mild to moderate hepatic impairment: No adjustment recommended.
Severe hepatic impairment with cirrhosis: 2.5 mg orally every other day
Noncirrhotic with elevated bilirubin: Data not available
Precautions
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
- Hypersensitivity to the active component or any of the ingredients
- Pregnancy
Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 18 years.
Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.
Dialysis
This drug is anticipated to be dialyzable; however, no dose adjustment guidelines have been reported.
Other Comments
Administration Advice:
- Take this drug without regard to meals.
- Use this drug only in women with clearly established postmenopausal status. In patients whose menopausal status is unclear, measure luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and/or estradiol levels before initiating treatment.
- Skip a missed dose if it is within 2 or 3 hours of the next dose; otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as possible and then return to the regular dosing schedule.
Storage Requirements:
Store this drug at room temperature (20 to 25 Celsius) and protect from light.
General:
- The clinical benefit of this drug in premenopausal women with breast cancer has not been determined.
- Efficacy of this drug has not been demonstrated in patients with hormone receptor negative breast cancer.
- Use of this drug in men with breast cancer has not been studied.
- Specific treatment for overdosage is not known.
Monitoring:
- Bone mineral density
- Serum cholesterol
Patient Advice:
This drug may cause fatigue, dizziness, and drowsiness; avoid driving or any other potentially dangerous activity until you know how this drug affects you.
Frequently asked questions
- How long do letrozole side effects last?
- What happens when you stop taking letrozole?
- When is the best time of day to take letrozole?
- How many cycles of letrozole are needed to get pregnant?
- Is letrozole a form of chemotherapy?
- Does letrozole affect blood sugar levels?
- When will I ovulate after taking letrozole?
- How do you take letrozole for fertility?
- How does Femara affect your period?
More about letrozole
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (363)
- Drug images
- Side effects
- Patient tips
- During pregnancy
- Support group
- Drug class: aromatase inhibitors
- Breastfeeding
- En español
Patient resources
Other brands
Professional resources
Other brands
Related treatment guides
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.