letrozole extreme drowsiness

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Skeptic
Skeptic Member Posts: 20

After several months of indecision, I finally decided to try taking letrozole. Now, after only 4 days, I find I am drowsy to the point of fighting to stay awake at work. I also feel like my judgement is impaired when I am driving. This started yesterday, on day 3. I take the pills in the early evening, sleep well, and wake up fine, but by early after noon I feel drugged. Has this happened to anyone else? Will this pass if I continue to take it, or is this how it is?

I'm not sure sleepwalking through life is worth it if this is how it is.

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited July 2016

    Hmmm, I'm not sleepy from it but I think it might be causing dizziness. Letrazole is the only new med since March. It stands to reason that if it could cause sleepiness, it could probably cause dizziness, too. Talk with your doctor about it. I don't think letrozole is one of those drugs that has to load.

  • Icietla
    Icietla Member Posts: 1,265
    edited July 2016

    Yes, I was that way, too, just after starting on Letrozole. My energy and wakefulness would take a fast parabolic dive early in the afternoon, every day. That particular effect seems to have phased out over time -- maybe a month and a half or so? -- so that now I do not always require a nap at that time of day.

  • Talishte
    Talishte Member Posts: 11
    edited July 2016

    I've been on Femara since June 1, 2016, and also experience fatigue/drowsiness around 2 or 3 in the afternoon. I switched from taking the pill in the morning to now taking it around 8:30 at night thinking that it would help to take it and then sleep, but it didn't help the afternoon drowsiness and that fogginess in my brain! It's not so bad that I have to take a nap (I've never been able to sleep during the day anyway) but at this point I do have to plan for it and try to get most things done before that time or they won't get done. The pain in my hands and back seems to be getting worse, but I have arthritis there anyway so I'm not sure it's just not a natural progression of arthritis or the Femara.

  • debiann
    debiann Member Posts: 1,200
    edited July 2016

    I get this on arimidex. Afternoon slepiness that just hits me out of nowhere. I could literally fall asleep anywhere. I'm like the baby that faceplants in the mashed potatoes while sitting in a highchair. It's particularly scary when it starts to hit while driving.

    I'm learning to plan my activities around it now. At work I've started taking a short nap at my desk during my lunch break. That really helps.


  • amanda6
    amanda6 Member Posts: 121
    edited July 2016

    I took it for 5 years, femara ( I had no side effects with Femara, just the generics) the 1st year, then was switched to letrozole for 4 years. I don't remember tiredness but often had a kind of slight dizziness, some generic brands suited me much better than others. I think teva was the manufacturer that I had the least side effects with. You might find relief in switching brands. Different brands use different fillers- some you may be sensitive to. The fatigue might well go away as your body gets accustomed to the new med too- it is a strong one!

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