Letrozole and Lactose Intolerance

Hi Morsey

There are alternatives to Letrozole if you think this may be causing you a lactose issue.

I think this question was asked here a few years ago and Exemestane was mentioned as possibly being Lactose and Gluten free ?  Best thing is to ask your oncologist if this, or another type of Aromatase Inhibitor would be more suitable for you ?

Hopefully someone else here who has lactose intolerance can offer a more experienced reply ?

Hope this is of some help for now, G n' J

Thanks, I will check out Exemestane, I couldn’t see a lactose free Letrozole. I will give the BCN a call next week and see if she can look into it for me, I’m sure there must be an alternative.

I've just checked the ingredients of the  Femara, Sandoz and Accord brands and they all contain lactose.  I'm not lactose intolerant and it causes this and stomach pains , reflux and more frequent trips to the toilet with me too (along with many other side effects lol!). My oncologist has suggested Exemestane for me too, which I'll probably try as different brands and doses haven't improved things. It's a steroidal tablet though,  and NICE don't list it for early BC, but I heard that was due to cost(?)

So maybe I’m pointing the finger at the wrong culprit! I did feel better this morning but still had stomach pain so I’ve been taking silicol but it’s not improving as quickly as it usually does! Let me know if you get Exemestane and how you get on with it. As it stands I can’t keep taking the Letrozole, too much pain and I’m so tired I can’t do anything, hopefully I’ll feel better tomorrow,

I was just about to post the same question, I've been prescribed letrozole and I'm intolerant to dairy , what does everyone else have ?

I couldn’t tolerate Letrozole or Exemestane and eventually decided not to take them, my Oncotype score was low and low recurrence % risk so I felt happy making that choice. I was assured it wouldn’t be the lactose content that caused my issues, as it was so low, so hopefully you are fine with them, I know some people have very little side effects.

1. Hello Morsey Keanzaa Londonmumof2 and Dreamthief.  I’m glad I saw this thread as I started Letrazole 2 1/2 years ago and I thought it was making me lactose intolerant (which onco said can happen).  After eventually complaining of aches n pains I was switched to Anastrazole - several months later and the aches n pains are just as bad so I’m going back to Onco to see if I can try something else.  Please guys tell me how you reacted on these drugs as it’s wearing me down. Jgau xx

Hi Jgau, it’s interesting that your Onco seems aware of the potential for lactose intolerance, for whatever reason I remained sure that there was a link even though I was pretty much told it was unlikely. I do seem to be more sensitive to the side effects of medication, particularly when it comes to my digestive system! I would be interested to hear if you find a solution, I did read that there was a version of extemestane that was lactose free but I’m not sure you can get it in the UK, I was told by the pharmacy it wasn’t available. Good luck.

Hi Morsey, my Onco said there was definitely a connection with Letrazole and lactose.  However these drugs react differently with each person and it seems impossible to find one which “settles”.  I remember having trouble with dairy on Letrazole but I’m not lactose intolerant.  I’m on Anastrazole now.  I believe when these drugs start to get a hold, the body starts to react.  That’s how I feel anyway.  I’m currently full of aching joints and waiting for Onco to get back to me.  I wish you all the very best.  It was good to hear from you xx

Hi Morsey I started taking Letrozole end of December last year. I had lots of tummy upsets and terrible leg pains. (I have arthritis and thought it was getting worse). My oncologist said try and persevere and things should settle. I must say six months on and things seemed to have calmed down, I do still get leg pains but not as severe and stomach is so much better. A friend of mine also was on Letrozole and had severe stomach pains but changed to Anastrazole and is fine on that.

I did think to start with that I had become dairy intolerant and cut down on dairy but I now have dairy and all is ok.