Letrozole and Fertility

Using letrozole is the best option for treating fertility related problems though this medication has its own benefits as well as side effects.

Uses of Letrozole

This drug was developed by a pharmaceutical company called Novartis and is being sold under the brand name of Femara. Letrozole is used for treating breast cancer especially when the women are suffering from it in her post-menopausal period.

The warning placed on the cover of Femara warns pregnant woman from using this drug as it has shown to injure the growth of the fetus. And it also states that while using this drug letrozole you should avoid getting pregnant and avoid the use of this drug if you are a lactating mother.

Drug Letrozole an off label drug

Even though this drug is sold as an off the label drug doctors prescribe this for women facing infertility problems. Letrozole as well as Clomid serve the same purpose i.e. treating infertility problems. Even though this drug has shown to have harmful effects on lactating mothers and fetal growth the doctors prescribe this drug as it has shown great results when it comes to treating ovulation related problems.

Annual Reports since 2005 till date

In the annual report of the ASRM in the year 2005 found that around 4.7% of mothers who were treated with letrozole or gonadotropins gave birth to babies who were suffering from problems related to cardiac malformation, bones and other locomotive problems. 2007 SOJC report stated that when letrozole along with clomiphene citrate group found that the problems were almost similar but then it was seen that use of letrozole had babies birth weight higher than those who conceived after the use of clomid, though the conclusive report stated that using letrozole for the purpose of fertility does not show any risk of suffering from congenital heart disease not does it affect birth related weight.

FDA strict warning

The year 2008 saw a warning report by the FDA in the College Family Physicians stating that the study done on the drug letrozole on animals resulted in many birth defects. The reports further stated that the main concern being the dosage of this drug especially during pregnancy rather than its effect to induce pregnancy should not cause any birth defects as by the time conception occurs the effect of the drug is eliminated from the body. But then you need to consult your doctor about the side effects of this drug before you decide to start medication.

Though the use of the drug letrozole has shown positive results in helping induce pregnancy and other complications that arouse due to the use of this drug has been statistically similar to the side effects for those who were prescribed Clomid for fertility related problems.

As a cancer patient if you are seeking any kind of fertility treatment then you need to consult your doctor regarding the use of Femara which is used for cancer treatment and should also discuss the possibilities about the use of letrozole. If you are already pregnant then you need to thing about the birth defects if you decide to use the drug letrozole.