Did anyone have rash from Femara?

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Shrek4
Shrek4 Member Posts: 1,822

Ok, I started Femara almost 10 days ago. This is the last AI that I didn't try - Arimidex gave me high blood pressure and Aromasin horrendous joint pains.

The problem is, two days ago (Saturday) I started getting a really itchy rash on my thighs. I didnt' think much of it as it was quite hot and I was wearing a skirt, so I though who knows, maybe I chafed. Once I got home I looked at the rash was not on the inside of the thighs, but on the front of them. 

By evening it got better. Then next day, arund noon, it got worse again. then slightly better in teh evening. Today it got worse again in the morning, and also started to appear between my breasts and on my upper abdomen. 

I take Femara in the morning. I looked on the list of side effects and sure enough rash was there.

Did anyone have this?

I'm really upset as this is the last AI for me to try and I do not qualify for Tamoxifen (family history of deep thrombophlebitis and uterine cancer).

Comments

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2012

    Day - are you taking the brand Femara or generic letrozole?  The reason I am asking is that a lot of ladies who had been taking the brand prior to the expiration of the patent had problems when they switched out to generics because they were allergic to the fillers.  It may be a filler ingredient that you are reacting to.

  • Shrek4
    Shrek4 Member Posts: 1,822
    edited March 2013

    Generic letrozole.

    And I've been thinking and trying to figure out, this is the only new thing that I've been taking in the last two weeks. No new food, no anything else. Didn't change detergent, body lotion, bath salts or anything. Of course I wore different clothing each day, so it's not related to fabric, and anyway none of the clothes I wore were new.

    So yes, it might be some filler. But then it's also in the side effects as "allergic reactions", so maybe it's not just the fillers. Except for Cipro I do not have any other allergies. I'll try looking into the fillers of Letrozole. Thanks for the tip.

  • Shrek4
    Shrek4 Member Posts: 1,822
    edited March 2013

    See, here, it's listed under "severe allergic reactions". Just one of the many sites that list it.

    http://www.drugs.com/sfx/letrozole-side-effects.html 

  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited March 2012

    Day - be aware that the different generics of letrozole have different fillers, as if this was not complicated enough, right?  You are correct that you could also be reacting to the actual drug itself - hard to know.  I am sure you are frustrated.  Have you contacted the prescribing doc?  You may want to try the other manufacturers, and if they don't work you can be prescribed the brand if your doc writes it that you need it because of allergy.  I take Letozole, manufactured by Mylan - it is a bright pink, small and scored tablet.  I know there is also a yellow one, possibly from more than one pharmaceutical source.

  • Shrek4
    Shrek4 Member Posts: 1,822
    edited March 2013

    I found this:

    http://www.drugs.com/imprints.php?action=search&drugname=letrozole 

     The one that I take is the same orangish yellow as the last image, and has an L on one side and an N on the other side.

    I decided to stop taking it for a couple of days and see if the rash goes away. then I'll know for sure if that is the culprit.

  • Janet_M
    Janet_M Member Posts: 1,068
    edited March 2012

    I'm writing in empathy. I have a rash as well, but I've been on Tamoxafen for the last three week, rather than Femara . I was told to stop taking it for a while to see if it clears up. Mine's all over my back it it itches like hell. Three different doctors have seen it and they've come to three sperate conclsions. a) Fungal b) side effect of tamox c) allergy to the elastin in my undergarments. In other words - they don't know. So I'll stop taking for a few weeks and see what happens.

     I hope you find a solution.

    Janet 

  • slousha
    slousha Member Posts: 312
    edited March 2012

    HI,

    Last summer being on Femara I have had rash, firstly on my upper arm cancer side, later back then another arm. I got from pharmacist Claritine pills and because wasn't better I went to MY PCP. Have got higher dose Claritine pills and a ointment made by prescription from PCP and in 2-3 days, I was OK!

    Greetings

  • 2FUN
    2FUN Member Posts: 956
    edited October 2017

    bumping this up to see if anyone is having skin issues due to letrozole

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2018

    Awaiting a call from my MO today. Have a rash on back, arms and chest and I itch from head to toe! Benadryl has done nothing so far.

  • OZ07
    OZ07 Member Posts: 2
    edited May 2018

    YES, and OMG it has been awful. Gradually worsened over time. Went to Dr. & Dermatologist. Dr. said he thought it was allergic reaction. First Dermatologist accused me of purposely scratching myself for attention. Second Dermatologist diagnosed as cystic acne. My entire body itched like mad, I tried every product on the shelf and by mail order. Every injury, pimple, chigger bite, etc. turned into a never healing itchy, red problem, with thick skin developing over it. I have lived the past several years in long sleeves and turtlenecks, which is miserable, when combined with hot flashes. My face has been the source of extreme stress and embarrassment to me. I hit my ten year mark, and my oncologist took me off the femara 9 mos. ago. Within a couple of wks., I noticed my skin was softer all over. The horrible lumps and thick skin are S L O W L Y going away. It is still horrible, itchy, and feels like particles of glass stuck in my skin as it surfaces. I have scarring that will take years to fade. Over the years I have developed extremely sensitive skin. Everything from skin creams, shampoos, elastic, tight clothing, you name it, has bothered me. It has been a long process of elimination and research, and unfortunately, I have not found the magic answer. Using prescription Tretinoin and OTC Benzoyl Peroxide. I swear the past 10 years of thick skin must be 2" thick. Sorry I can't offer a solution, but know you are not alone.

  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited May 2018

    baywitch-I had that exact same reaction to tamoxifen. I was told 24hr antihistamine once daily (Claritin/Zyrtec/Xyxal/Allegra). Then I used Vagisil cream over any areas where the itch flared up. Relief in seconds with the Vagisil. It’s active ingredient is benzocaine 20% so it numbs the itch within seconds. (There’s nothing in it that treats a yeast infection.) it’s indicated for the relief of skin irritation and itch. Name brand and Walmart brand work great. Target brand didn’t rub into the skin very well. I still occasionally get the itchies on my back (1-2 times per month). I don’t know if there’s still some tamoxifen in my system (with its long half life its probable) or if permanent nerve damage was done. But the Vagisil works every time. Good luck! 🍀

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2018

    Hmmm, Lula. I may have to keep some Vagisil on hand. The rash has been much better the last couple cycles, but still comes and goes on my chest. And when it flares up, it's awful.

    Kathy

  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited May 2018

    I hear you on it being awful. For me it was like having the worst yeast infection ever but on my upper body. Incredible itch, a little relief and burn when you scratch then immediate itch again...all over. You just want to jump right out of your skin to escape it. Hope it gets better for you

  • 2FUN
    2FUN Member Posts: 956
    edited August 2018

    I was just reading an article talking about how women who get rashes with tamoxifen have a lower recurrence than those who don't get the rash. I'll see if I can find the link

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