How long does Femara stay in your system?

I finished Femara end of August this year. I was taking also Didrocal for bones. Since I finished that one now too, I went to my doctor to confirm that I don't need to take it any more since I am finished with Femara.

NOT SO.... She said that because it takes long time for my body to get rid of Femara, I still have to take Didrocal for minimum another 6 months. So I guess we can  presume, that at least 6 more months after stopping taking it, we still have Femara in our system.

Hana are you sure that it take 6 months.

I would have said not very long because when you read the medical sites describing the medication you understand that femara works on a day our two day basis.   That is why they say that if you have forgotte you pill wait for the day after.  And that is why the advise you  also to try not to forget to take it.  And that all the sides effects go as soon as you stop taking femara.

been off femara 6 mo, after taking it 6 mo. most all side effects have diminished, except for trigger thumbs, sore joints/bone pain. that is still going strong.. never had any pain before femara.

ALso I did 8 rounds of chemo-CMF and 30 days of radiation. I had a lumpectomy Thanks for any info or info where I can get femara free or very very low cost.

I got free samples of Femara from my oncologist for nearly a year.  Aparently the free sample program has ended and the onc is saving what they have left for the ladies with no insurance at all.  Now there is a program where you can get your prescription filled for $10.  Here is a link -

http://www.femara.com/index.jsp

Red38....Hi there. There are no studies on those of us who refuse aromatase inhibitors and probably never will be. Who would pay for it? Certainly not the pharmaceutical companies. That being said I'm not against anti hormone therapy in general. it's just not the right decision for me. We all have to make our own informed decisions. Good luck to all.

I have taken Femara for 4 years and 4 months...if the meds stay in system I often question why not take every other day?

Those who had hair loss whilst on Femara, did it come back fuller after it was stopped? I have many of the symptoms described here and i am 6 years on it; but scared to stop it

Stage 1 breast cancer (estrogen positive), lumpectomy, radiation, Zometa infusions twice a year. Going off of Femara after 5 years and after reading comments, I am starting to think my doctors are idiots. I had cortisone shot into my left thumb, trigger finger. No one told me that Femara was causing this, they almost operated on the tendon. I keep joining gyms but never go, I'm too tired after work and sweat all night if I sleep at all. Happy to be saying adios to Femara after reading the comments. I am cancer free after 5 years and 2 months. Don't even ask me about vaginal dryness, what a nightmare. I bled for weeks after a pap smear and ended up with a UTI. Yes, I think some of my doctors should read my medical chart. They have made my side effects worse and act like I'm crazy. Keflex for the UTI landed me in the ER last month. I had to have Uber drive me, I was about to faint.

I still don't know when the side effects will go away, maybe I'm ruined for the rest of my life but no cancer has returned.

Dtad + Red38. I think the studies you're wondering about can be found at pubmed. A .gov site I believe

All kinds of studies are recorded there. Interesting reading. Usually very technical so skip to the summary. Those would be studies they did when they first created the aromatase inhibitors and compared probably to a placebo. statistical info can probably be found at each drugs website too.

ALL - before you quit therapy altogether talk to your onc. They may adjust dose or switch drugs or give you there blessing. Probably depending on how long since surgery. Needs are different if your stage 1 vs. Stage 4.

Good luck to all