Time to switch from Generic Femera ?

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stephanie82510
stephanie82510 Member Posts: 30
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

I started an AI in AUG 2010 and am reading about other AIs and am thinking of asking to switch. Vaginal dryness and bone issues are  problems, but the hot flashes interrupt my sleep and I have a BIG job. I had an oophrectomy to prevent having to take Tamox, but think I could try another AI. Any one help me - I see a new onc in a few weeks. Thx. Typo - I was diagnosed in 2009.

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited October 2011

    I'm on Aromasin and tolerate it well.  The joint pain for me isn't bad, my hands are a little stiff especially in the morning.  I do have some hot flashes but more like "embers" and I'm not sure how much of that is from the AI or the ooph.  My vaginal dryness is better now that I'm Aromasin, it was really bad while I was on Arimidex.  Good luck in your search, I think we have to try different ones until we find the one that works.  Hooah! (we're at Bragg) 

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  • stephanie82510
    stephanie82510 Member Posts: 30
    edited October 2011

    Th doc at Walter Reed Bethesda could switch me back to Femera. I will look into Aromisin too. Thanks!

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  • Ihopeg
    Ihopeg Member Posts: 399
    edited October 2011

    I switched to generic Femara after 4 years on brand name. The first prescription was bad. I think the fillers were differnt too. I had horrible hot flashes and leg pain. The next month the pharmacy switched to another generic and I am fine.

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  • Seashellie
    Seashellie Member Posts: 152
    edited October 2011

    Hi ihopeg, I'm curious which generic manufacturer you had trouble with. The one I'm on is made by Mylan and they are bright pink. I'm thinking maybe it's the fillers that are giving me loose bowels and not the drug itself since that's my only SE and it's not a very common one.

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  • Ihopeg
    Ihopeg Member Posts: 399
    edited October 2011

    Hi Seashelly,

      Yes, the femara I had trouble with was the pink made by Mylan. Now I take a yellow one (same color as Brand Femara) made by Accord Healthcare. I go to CVS. Maybe call and ask which pharmacy uses the yellow one. Hope this helps!

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  • roxy42
    roxy42 Member Posts: 495
    edited October 2011

    I have the pink ones started femara yesterday,and so far so good.I can handle the joint pain and hotflashes I was on arimidex for 3 and a half years I had alot of side affects with that drug.The aromasin I was only on for a month It caused BP to soar and nose bleeds,so now I'm on femara for the last year.I have been through all of the meds now.I hope they come out with new meds soon,9 months till the 5 year mark.........godbless roxy

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  • Seashellie
    Seashellie Member Posts: 152
    edited October 2011

    Thanks ihopeg, Unfortunately, I have to go to Costco for my prescription otherwise I'd have to pay about $400/mo vs. $23. I will talk to the pharmacist and see if it might be a possiblility to get it through them from a different manufacturer so I can find out if it's the fillers. Can't hurt to ask I guess. I really don't want to switch to arimadex.

    Roxy42, I hope that femara works well for you with few if any se's. Only 9 months left - you're in the homestretch now! Congrats!

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