Femara vs. Letrozole

Anonymous

Femara vs. Letrozole

Faith-840

Has anyone tried the brand name Femara and found the side effects to be much less? I’ve been on letrozole, mostly the Teva brand which I can no longer get. I’m now using the Accord brand and seem to have more side effects like hot flashes and anxiety. My PCP has offered to help me get the brand name Femara from Canada but it’s still pricey. Wondering if it’s worth it?

I would sure appreciate hearing any experiences you’ve had. Thanks in advance,

Faith (in the future).

FarAwayToo

I haven't tried brand name Femara, and pretty sure I would need to have some really serious SE for my insurance to approve (the difference in the cost is staggering!).

I did shop/call around to find a pharmacy that carried Teva brand. A CVS in Target in a town 20 minute drive from where I live carries it, although the told me it's not their preferred manufacturer. CVS in Target in my town doesn't have Teva at all. Sometimes it takes me several calls when I refill to make sure they fill it with Teva, and once I drove all the way there to find out they filled with Accord, but I just asked nicely , and they refilled with Teva.

Can't say my SE are that different between Teva and Accord, but I will keep trying to stay on Teva, because I think Israeli manufacturer may have a better quality control than Indian one (Accord).

Faith-840

I’ve been told that Teva is out of stock and back ordered for a few months now. I haven’t called around yet to see if I can get it elsewhere. It sounds like the manufacturer is out of stock but maybe I can find it. I’m not sure if it’s the Letrozole but I’ve felt worse the last few days. Who knows, it’s always something when we have cancer.

Thanks for your reply,

Faith (in the future).

P.S. our granddaughter graduated from CU- Boulder with her masters this spring.

canadaliz

Hi Faith, I have been on Femera and Teva with no difference in the bone/muscle pain....they both make me hurt all over but I am sticking it out. Femera gave waaaay more hot flashes. My worst pain is my long thigh muscles from hip to knee which makes getting out of a chair super hard. Both of my shoulders hurt so moving my arms is very difficult. My hands hurt to grip anything and I can't make a fist without pain. I have lost significant strength which is frustrating. I am coming up on a year of taking it and will persevere if it reduces the risk of my cancer returning. Cheers, Liz up in Canada.

Faith-840

Canadaliz, thanks for your reply. I'm surprised to hear the Femara gave you more hot flashes. I'm getting more hot flashes on the Accord brand. I was having lots of aches and pains from the letrozole but they seem a little better lately. However, I'm having more anxiety lately. Don't know what to do but thinking I will try the brand name. My PCP gave me the name of another Canadian pharmacy and said he would fax the Rx when /if I want him to. Unfortunately, I'm on this drug until it no longer works as I'm stage IV so I'm happy to only be using that and not the Ibrance I was on or something else with lots of side effects.

Does anyone else have any input, it would be most appreciated.

Thanks,

Faith (in the future).

windingshores

I have taken the brand name for almost 5 years. I was told, a few weeks ago, that the manufacturer's supply is very low. I actually called Novartis and it is true. Not sure what I am going to do. I would make sure you can get it before switching!

zia1

Anyone taking letrozole over 10yrs? I am almost to my 10 year mark and oncologist said not a lot of research as to benefit to continue or stop at 10yrs. The choice is mine and can’t seem to find any info

trk1018

Candadaliz - I just switched to Letrozole in February and i'm having the same hip to knee pain you're describing. Thanks for sharing - that's helped ease my mind a bit about what I'm feeling.

MissouriCatLady

Hello. I have been on anastrazole for 6 months with nightly leg cramps. I bought the Arimidex from Eagle Pharmacy for $30 and had no problems. My insurance told me today my co-pay would be $240 a month for name-brand Arimidex. I can get it from Eagle now for $60. I asked doctor what he would switch me to and he told me letrozole. I tried the Teva anastrazole and had trouble (and Accord, and Zydus and Breckenridge). Is this another drug that you do better on with the name-brand? Can you get the name brand for less than $60 a month? Could you please tell me more about a Canadian pharmacy, maybe they would sell Arimidex for less than $60 a month? I'm sorry, it has been frustrating and confusing trying to figure out what to do. Thank you, and hugs, Lisa

Faith-840

Missouri, the name brand Femara, if you can get it from Canada, is still very expensive. It’s about $125.00 a month if it’s available? There’s a website called “ Canada drugs online”. If you find what you want you would have to give them a credit card payment and then have your Dr. fax a copy of the prescription to them.

Have you tried taking magnesium for the leg cramps? It seems to help a lot of people. There is also magnesium oil you can find on amazon and rub on your legs but that didn’t help me. Also, have you tried turmeric capsules for the pains? It reduces inflammation. I can manage the leg cramps, it’s the hot flashes and the depression that’s the problem for me as well as hair thinning.

Good luck, hope you find something to help.

Faith (in the future).

Ingerp

I'm just popping in to say I went from taking zero pills to now the AI + a bunch of supplements, including magnesium. It has helped with leg cramps (although I started it because I'd read it helped with post-tx depression--not sure about that yet!).

MissouriCatLady

Thank you Inger and Faith, and I apologize, I was so very frustrated yesterday when I posted this. I appreciate the advice, thank you. I've been taking magnesium and sleeping with a bar of Irish Spring, believe it or not, which helps, not sure why. If magnesium helps with depression too, than what a blessing that is, thank you, I have not heard that! Had I known all the work we did to get insurance to cover a drug would lead to a deadend, I could have saved myself the effort, but then you do not know the outcome until you have traveled the road. I would just like to say, if you are considering trying to get a name-brand drug, you research your insurance cost to see if it is worthwhile. Maybe that will help someone. It is amazing to me the money the drug company makes. You all are wonderful ladies, thank you for your suggestions and understanding. Wishing you the best, Lisa

kcrd4766

Yes, turmeric may support a healthy inflammation response. And, one other thing to note is that forms that are hydro-soluble absorb better. You may also find this an issue with magnesium: different forms of magnesium absorb better than others and have different "side effects". Many prefer a magnesium glycinate or citrate. Mentioning this in case anyone is having issues with absorption, but always check with your doctor.

goutlaw

I'm on Arimidex and wondering the same!

Daylightdancer666

I'm on lethzole and I find it difficult to know if it's bone mets hurting or it's from lethrzole for instance I walk with my stick and went for walk longest I been with my stick day after agony had take naproxin and oral morphine on top other meds same day after and then today I'm from UK didn't need it but then woke up at two am back agony so took oral morphine but don't know if it's side effects or crushed vertebrae xxx