stimufol (LETROZOLE)

What is Stimufol?

Stimufol is a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor that reduces estrogen synthesis by inhibiting the aromatase enzyme. It is primarily used to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women​

What is the usual dose of Stimufol?

For grown-ups, the usual dose of Stimufol is one small pill (2.5 mg) once a day. It doesn't matter if you take it with or without food.
 

How do I take Stimufol?

Take one 2.5mg Stimufol pill each day. It doesn't matter if you take it with or without food.

 

For how long do I take Stimufol?

The duration of Stimufol therapy varies depending on the indication:

• Adjuvant Treatment of Early Breast Cancer: Median treatment duration is 5 years.
• Extended Adjuvant Treatment: Median duration is also around 5 years.
• Advanced Breast Cancer: Continue treatment until tumor progression is observed​

What is Stimufol used for?

Stimufol is a medicine for women who have gone through menopause and have breast cancer. It's used when the cancer's growth is fueled by hormones or when it's unclear if hormones play a role. It can treat advanced breast cancer that has spread, and it can also be used after surgery for early-stage breast cancer to help prevent the cancer from returning. Sometimes, it's used for a longer time after another medicine called tamoxifen.

 

How long does it take for Stimufol to start working?

Stimufol significantly reduces estrogen levels within 2 to 3 days of starting treatment.

Is Stimufol effective?

Stimufol is a medication used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It works best in cancers that are fueled by hormones. It can be used after other treatments like tamoxifen, even for a long time (up to 5 years after tamoxifen), to help prevent the cancer from returning. It's also used to treat advanced or spread breast cancer in these women. Studies show it's effective for many years.

 

How does one know if Stimufol is working?

The effectiveness is monitored through regular medical evaluations, imaging studies, and assessments of disease-free survival​

How does Stimufol work?

Stimufol is a medicine that's quickly absorbed into the body. It breaks down slowly into harmless substances and is mostly removed through the kidneys in urine. Most of the drug is found in the urine. It takes about 2 days for half of the drug to leave your body, and it takes several weeks to reach a stable level in your blood. Two liver enzymes, CYP3A4 and CYP2A6, help break it down.

Who should avoid taking Stimufol?

Stimufol is a medicine that shouldn't be taken by pregnant women because it can harm the baby. Women who can get pregnant need to use birth control during and for three weeks after taking it. It can sometimes weaken bones, so doctors will need to check on that. It can also cause tiredness and dizziness, so be careful driving or using machines. Your cholesterol might go up, so that needs checking too. If you have serious liver problems, you might need a lower dose.

 

Can I take Stimufol with vitamins or supplements?

There is no specific information on interactions with vitamins or supplements. Consult a healthcare provider before combining.

Can I take Stimufol with other prescription drugs?

Taking Stimufol with tamoxifen lowers the amount of Stimufol in the bloodstream, but it doesn't seem to affect how well Stimufol works if you take it after tamoxifen. Other drugs like cimetidine and warfarin don't appear to interact significantly with Stimufol. There's not much information about how Stimufol interacts with other cancer drugs.

 

Can Stimufol be taken safely while pregnant?

Stimufol is contraindicated in pregnancy due to its potential to cause fetal harm. It has been associated with spontaneous abortions and congenital defects​

Can Stimufol be taken safely while breastfeeding?

Women who are breastfeeding shouldn't take the medication Stimufol because it could seriously harm their babies. There's no information on how it affects babies who are breastfed, so it's best to avoid any risk. Breastfeeding should also be stopped for at least three weeks after finishing the medication.

 

Is Stimufol safe for the elderly?

Older people with metastatic breast cancer taking common treatments didn't show more problems or less benefit than younger people in studies. While bone density might decrease, doctors should watch for that. Even in long-term treatment, older patients (many over 65, some over 75) did just as well as younger patients.

How should I store Stimufol?

Store Stimufol at room temperature, between 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F

Does Stimufol make people tired or drowsy?

Yes, fatigue is a common side effect (16.8%). Avoid driving or operating machinery if affected​.

Does Stimufol cause stomach upset?

Yes, nausea occurs in 11.6% of patients. Persistent symptoms should be reported to a healthcare provider.

Does Stimufol affect sleep?

Insomnia is reported in 5.8% of cases.  This might make it hard to sleep well, even if it doesn't directly cause sleep problems like insomnia. Because of this, be careful driving or using machinery until you know how Stimufol affects you. If your sleep is disrupted, talk to your doctor.

 

Does Stimufol make it hard to think or concentrate?

Dizziness and light-headedness are reported in 3.4% of cases. Caution is advised with tasks requiring focus​.

Does Stimufol affect mood?

Depression is reported in 4.9% of patients. If mood changes are severe, seek medical advice.

Does Stimufol interfere with sexual function?

Stimufol can cause vaginal dryness and reduced libido, but specific data on frequency are limited​.

Does Stimufol affect appetite?

No significant effects on appetite are reported.

Does Stimufol cause weight gain?

Weight increase occurs in 12.9% of cases​. The amount of weight gain can vary greatly depending on the medicine and the dose. For example, in some studies, a small percentage of people gained weight on a low dose of one medicine, while a much larger percentage gained weight on a high dose of a different medicine. If you notice you're gaining weight while taking medicine, talk to your doctor.

 

Does Stimufol cause headaches?

Yes, headaches are reported in 4.3% of patients.

Does Stimufol limit driving?

Femara can sometimes make you feel tired or dizzy, and rarely, sleepy. It's important to be careful when driving or using machinery until you know how the medicine affects you. If you have trouble driving, stop and call your doctor.

Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking Stimufol?

No specific interaction is noted, but alcohol may exacerbate side effects like dizziness or fatigue.

Is it safe to drink coffee or tea while taking Stimufol?

No evidence suggests that caffeine interacts with Stimufol​.

Is it safe to exercise while taking Stimufol?

Exercise is generally safe but monitor for fatigue or bone-related side effects like fractures or pain​.

What are Stimufol possible harms and risks?

The most common side effects were hot flashes, nausea, joint pain, and shortness of breath. Serious side effects, like blood clots in the legs or lungs, heart problems, and strokes, also happened, but were less common with Stimufol than with another similar drug, megestrol acetate.