battle of the letrozole brands

Thanks for that extra info, it all helps so much. But so wish we didn't have this worry!

Take Care. xx

Hello Cathy

I'm glad you are able to obtain your supplies, makes the whole process a little more bearable.

I did have a few hot flushes but they seem to have gone now - I've been on L for 5 months now.  I had arthritis before and don't think my aches and pains are any worse.  The only big SE I've had is a reduced appetite and taste which is something I never thought I would have!  I've lost 1 and half stone but the hospital didn't think that was too bad!  I'm happy as I had fought for a long time to loose some weight but don't want to loose too much more.  Christmas goodies helped a bit, and hopefully SEs will diminish.  The other one I developed was excessive saliva.  This again has improved thankfully.  My Onco doc hadn't heard of it being a SE of Letrozole!

All good wishes for 2019

xx

Hi Tray41,

I’ve been on Letrozole for approx 14 months now. I had Grade 2 BC which was removed by lumpectomy and had 3 weeks radiotherapy in 2018. I was initially put on Letrozole 6 months before to shrink the tumour. 

I feel the side effects though are getting worse, so the clinical oncologist advised I speak to my GP and get changed over to Tamoxifen. However, I would have to go 6 weeks without any medication to get the drug totally out my system. Being the coward that I am, I didn’t want to risk it. I don’t know if you’d have to do the same vice versa  though, because as I understand it most people usually, like yourself, have Tamoxifen  first.

Hope all goes well for you.

Best wishes

Moo. X

Dr Reddy’s is the worse brand for me.  I’ve had quite a few different ones. It all depends on what the pharmacist doles out, no choice in the matter. I did find the Teva brand a bit better though.

Best wishes 

Moo. X

If you have a great GP ask them to state your preferred brand on their script, the pharmacy has no excuses then to fob you off. If you still see the onco team ask them to do the same from them to GP. I did both and get Femara every time. 7 months on and the SE's are dwindling. Not gone but less

Be awkward it is your body

Leolady56

Leolady you get Femara because it is the original brand and it is written on your prescription and the chemist cannot legally issue anything else. It costs the NHS £90 per pack.  If the prescription is written for letrozole the chemist is legally entitled to issue any generic letrozole from any licensed manufacturer eg RelonChem, Dr Reddy’s etc. These cost the NHS 86 pence per pack.  Where women are being dispensed their preferred generic letrozole it is because the chemist is providing additional customer service and can source that product at 86p or less per pack.  

Most women tolerate the generic versions just as well as Femara and it does not make any sense for the NHS to spend £90 per month instead of 86p when there are many other pressing needs for that money.

However if you find a generic letrozole that suits you it does make sense to find a chemist who understands your needs and will agree to source that version for you.

Hi I have been in letrozole for over 5 years, had problems at first but was referred to the pain clinic at the Marsden in Sutton who sorted me out.  Have been okay until a month ago when i was given Dr Reddys, since then all the side effects have come back with a vengeance, has anyone else had this reaction.  Will see my pharmacist to have them changed.

hi sarahmaria

I had a similar problem. It is very hard to tell. I was fine with Accord for a while, and then all of a sudden could not tolerate it. I also had Reddys and Teva. It just occurred to me that bisphosphonates cause the same intolerance issues... I had it bad after the 2nd infusion...

I have stopped taken letrozole for 3 weeks, and will then switch ... what to not sure yet.

Hope it will work out for you.

GC

I've been on Dr Reddys for nearly 7 months now and I don't seem to suffer from SEs too much.  I already had arthritis and back pain and they are no worse at the moment.  I did have depression quite bad when I started taking them, and still get bouts now and again, but I am just about managing it.

My 93 year old mum has just been prescribed Letrozole and has been given a pack of Dr Reddys and a pack of Manx Healthcare!     I'm wondering how she will get on with them!

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