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Dany1's avatar
Dany1
Member
7 years ago

Letrozole brands.

Has anyone on Letrozole tried changing brands?  I usually take APO Letrozole, and recently was given Femara.  Apart from the 2.5 mg of Letrozole, there seem to be different things in both.  I wonder if changing a brand that I have grown used to will create more sfx?  Has anyone had any experience with changing brands?  

6 Replies

  • I swapped chemists and brands a  few months ago - tbh no discernible difference albeit $12 less per script from Chemist King.

    Guess you can but try and see how you go as am assuming any new side effects from switching will reverse once out of your system and back to former script.

    PS I did find an initial adjustment period of 4-6 months whilst my body adapted to hormone therapy but thereafter the brand itself didn’t seem to be an issue.
  • I have heard the same thing with tamoxifen brands that apparently some people react differently to what is in the coatings of the tablets. One brand might be fine but the other one people might react to. 
  • I got a different brand from what I've been taking for the last 12months and didn't notice any difference.
  • Some people seem to have different reactions to the binders that are used in pill manufacture. As @arpie says, the active ingredients are the same so side effects caused by the active ingredients should also be the same, but aspects of the binders may interact differently, particularly for anyone with allergies (eg lactose intolerant). But often there is no problem. Maybe just monitor how you go?
  • The active ingredient is the same in both meds, @Dany1 - it is just the 'makeup' of the coating is different on both.  

    I believe Femara may also be a bit more expensive.

    I was on Letrozole for 6 weeks before changing to a different Hormone Tab - so can't comment on swapping brands mid treatment - but someone else will, I reckon shortly!   

    All the best for your on going treatment xxxx