Fempro tablets 2.5mg are used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women and are used as first line therapy for breast cancer that has been detected in an advanced or metastatic (spread outside the breast tissue) state. Fempro tablets 2.5mg are also used as additional or adjuvant treatment for early breast cancer in conjunction with other breast cancer treatment with tamoxifen, or if tamoxifen therapy has not helped prevent progression of the tumour.
How does Fempro work?
Fempro 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. In premenopausal women the primary source of oestrogen production are the ovaries and it 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 some breast cancer cells, by conversion of androstenedione (produced by the adrenal glands) to estrone due to the action of aromatase and then by further conversion to oestradiol (the most active form of circulating 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 breast cancer cells in women with breast cancer. Letrozole in Fempro tablets 2.5mg blocks the action of aromatase, preventing the formation of oestrogen and helping to prevent growth of oestrogen-dependent breast tumours.
What does Fempro contain?
Fempro tablets 2.5mg contain the active ingredient letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor that blocks oestrogen biosynthesis and is used to treat breast cancer.
Treating breast cancer with Fempro
Fempro tablets 2.5mg are used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. They contain letrozole, which 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. Many 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 in women with breast cancer.
Letrozole in Fempro tablets 2.5mg blocks the action of aromatase, preventing the formation of oestrogen and helping to prevent growth of oestrogen-dependent breast tumours. Fempro tablets 2.5mg can be used as first-line therapy for advanced or metastatic (spread outside the breast tissue) breast cancer, also as adjuvant treatment in conjunction with other breast cancer drugs (tamoxifen) for early breast cancer; or if tamoxifen therapy has not helped prevent progression of the tumour.
What are the side effects of Fempro?
The most commonly reported side effects when taking Fempro tablets 2.5mg include, include: hot flushes, joint pain or stiffness, skin rash gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea), headache, dizziness, feeling weak (asthenia), vaginal dryness and bleeding, sleepiness, hair loss, anorexia, depression
When should Fempro not be used?
You should not use Fempro tablets 2.5mg if you:
- are allergic to letrozole or any ingredients in Fempro
- are premenopausal, pregnant or are breastfeeding
- have kidney or liver disease
- are taking medicines that interact with Fempro, including; oestrogen containing medication, tamoxifen, another breast cancer drug, without discussion with your doctor
