Letrozole - any brands with few side effects?

I started with Anastrozole and after 8 months could hardly walk.  Next Exemestane- fine for a few months then started to get heart palpitations.  I am now on Letrozole and asked for the Accord brand only due to research.  Seems it’s the brand with least side effects!

Thanks Kitz

I think I’ll give the Accord brand a go. Hope you’re doing ok with it. Hopefully I will too. 

I started on it in July and had 3 months of Accord and was then given Cipla. At the moment I have only had minor side effects but was advised by BN to take note of any side effects with each brand so if one had less then to ask for it. I think it’s a case of try and see and choose the one with least side effects. . I too have felt down but it’s hard to know if it’s due to diagnosis ( I have a good prognosis) or tablets. Hope you start feeling more positive soon.  
Alison 

Hi I have been on letrozole for over 3 months now, starred on cipla and the side effects for me were torturous. I had a month of accord and  no change, then they put me on femara and quite a few if the side effects were not so bad. But this week I had a phone call to say I am not getting Femara again as its too expenaive unless they get direct order for it from Oncologist. Currently onco has just said letrozole. She offered to change me to exemestane or take an 8 week drug holiday and see if it ia definitely the drug causing the problem !! ( I  only had the odd sweats going through surgery and radiotherapy. For me at grade I and no lymph involvement she says I can chose to stop as for me it only makes a 2% difference in 10 year survival rate! I am so confused. But know I can't go on like this .   Hope you find an answer 

Fly xx 

Hi Alison (October23)

I’m sorry, I didn’t get a notification that you’d replied to my post. I think I may have done if you’d used ‘Sowa’ in the message. I have been on mine for a month yesterday and I’m starting Accord today so hoping that they are ok for me.  Good idea to write down the side effects. I’m still feeling very down but so far no other side effects. I had the option of Cipla so I’ll see how I get on with Accord. I appreciate you taking the time to comment and I hope you’re doing ok, it’s good to hear you’ve got a good prognosis x

Hi Fly

I’m sorry you’re suffering so badly with the side effects and I think it’s so unfair that you can’t stay on Femara. Big, big decision to have to make but quality of life is important. I can imagine it’s all you can think of at the moment. Maybe try exemestane first and see how you get on. I hope it helps as it’s bad enough dealing with a cancer diagnosis without the added worry of this. Good luck x

Hi

I was on generic anastrozole for 9 months before having an agreed break due to side effects - predominately joint issues particularly severe tendonitis in my ankles which stopped me doing things.

I'm on patient led follow up so had a TC with the breast care nurse who then wrote to my GP advising I try Arimidex ( brand version of Anastrozole just as Femera is brand of Letrozole) and if that was still as impactful then try Exemestane.

My GP was happy to prescribe Arimidex as she had the justification for the extra costs through the letter from the breast clinic. So far, it seems to be suiting me better. Like you, the survival benefit is low over 10yrs ( mine is 1%) so we did discuss quality of life v benefit. I "only" have to do 5yrs so only 4 to go now.

I don't see an oncologist as the patient led follow up service is led by the nurses ..it might be worth talking to your nurse possibly? Aware different areas have different ways of doing things though 

Hope you find a way forward..I do feel the support given for women on hormone therapy needs improving  xx

Thanks. I think it’s hard to know sometimes if how we’re feeling is part side effects but part of the whole process. I have some down days and find myself getting extremely frustrated with husband and what he says . I think he thinks now I’ve had operations and once I have my week of radiation then I can forget all about it ! Or maybe that’s how he’s dealing with it . You get no or few side effects 

I’m seeing oncologist next Wed 30th and will write down all these brand names and other long term drugs as I’ll be starting on Letrozole next week. Like you all, I hate the thought of side affects that will stop me doing the things I love. It was bad enough in chemo…THANK YOU ALL for the details you’ve included in your replies!! BW x