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Does Femara make your hair fall out?

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on June 20, 2024.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Key Points

Femara (generic name: letrozole) is a tablet form of hormone therapy known as an aromatase inhibitor. AIs are often used to lower breast cancer recurrence for women treated for hormone-receptor positive breast cancer. It works in breast cancer by reducing the amount of estrogen in postmenopausal women. In general, complete hair loss does not occur with aromatase inhibitors like Femara; however, hair thinning has been reported.

Other aromatase inhibitors (AIs) includes drugs such as anastrozole (Arimidex) and exemestane (Aromasin).

Estrogen loss due to these products may lead to hair thinning or hair loss. Some women may see hair thinning in the first year of treatment that may improve after over time. However, some women may see continued hair thinning but usually not full hair loss. Your hair will typically grow back once you stop treatment with an AI.

Studies of hair loss or thinning with Femara

Studies conducted by the manufacturer of Femara were evaluated to assess hair loss compared with other breast cancer treatments.

Femara vs. tamoxifen

Femara vs. anastrozole

Aromatase inhibitors in general (retrospective study)

The authors conclude that a reduction in estrogen levels due to AI treatment was associated with an increased risk of hair thinning and hair loss.

Related questions

Bottom Line

This is not all the information you need to know about Femara (generic name: letrozole) for safe and effective use. Review the full Femara information here, and discuss this information with your doctor or other health care provider.

References
  • Gallicchio L, Calhoun C, Helzlsouer KJ. Aromatase inhibitor therapy and hair loss among breast cancer survivors. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2013;142(2):435-443. doi:10.1007/s10549-013-2744-2.
  • Femara [product information]. Novartis. East Hanover, NJ. Accessed June 30, 2020 at https://www.novartis.us/sites/www.novartis.us/files/Femara.pdf

Read next

Is letrozole a form of chemotherapy?

Letrozole is not chemotherapy, it is a type of hormone therapy that is used to treat people with breast cancer that is hormone receptor-positive. If your cancer is hormone receptor-negative, then letrozole will not be of any benefit. Traditional chemotherapy agents stop cancer cells from growing, dividing, and making more cells. Letrozole works by blocking the action of the enzyme aromatase, which prevents the body from converting androgens into estrogens. Estrogen is a hormone that causes estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer to grow. Letrozole belongs to the class of medicines known as aromatase inhibitors. Continue reading

Does letrozole affect blood sugar levels?

Although diabetes and blood sugar increases are not listed as a side effect of letrozole treatment, treatment with letrozole is associated with a significantly increased risk for high blood sugar levels and diabetes. An Israeli study that investigated 2,246 breast cancer survivors found that women treated with letrozole were 4.3 times more likely to develop diabetes than women not taking letrozole, although the number of women prescribed letrozole was small. Overall, women prescribed any sort of hormone treatment (either tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor such as letrozole) had a 2.5 times higher risk of diabetes. Continue reading

What are the benefits of taking Kisqali and Femara together?

Taking Kisqali and Femara together can benefit patients with specific types of breast cancer because the medications work in different ways. Kisqali blocks the growth of cancer cells, while Femara reduces the amount of estrogen in the body that can fuel cancer growth. Studies have shown that taking the two together can be more effective compared to taking Femara alone. Continue reading

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