Letrozole

[Rbeth]

Thanks for the information on the different manufacturers of Letrozole. I went to get a refill for 90 days and requested the Teva brand made in Israel. CVS pharmacy said they would order it in for tomorrow. Thanks again for letting us know that there are several manufacturers and to ask for Teva. We all need each other to make things easier. Reenie

[Barbteeth]

Hi there

Is it the colouring of some letrazole that you dislike?

Surely the medication is identical whichever brand you are prescribed

I’ve had Teva and Accord...varies

Barb xx

[Rbeth in reply to Barbteeth]

I was on Arimidex the brand name and they switched to the generic anastrozole. I was allergic to the generic brand. It had a different delivery system. Made me dizzy and not able to work or think straight. I switched back and tolerated the medication. I started the Teva brand last night. I am hoping to have less side effects. I have intestinal issues and pain. I’ll let you know. Thanks again Reenie

[Barbteeth in reply to Rbeth]

Poor you...bad enough taking this stuff without having an allergic reaction

I think I have a cast iron stomach thank his as I live on ibuprofen

All the best

Barb xx

[PJBinMI in reply to Barbteeth]

Medications by different manufacturers have different agents other than the "drug" it includes and it can make a difference! I am on an albuterol inhaler, for example, and the first generic I was sent by the mail order pharmacy my supplemental insurance uses worked well for me. Then the same pharmacy refilled that Rx with a different "brand" and it didn't work anywhere near as well. And there are a couple of meds I am on that I need to get the "real" stuff and not the generic for best results. I suspect all this is pretty individual specific, with one working well for one of us and another being best for another of us. Sometimes switching can reduce side effects and other times not. Femara and Arimidex are both non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors and some oncs seem to prefer one over the other but some of us feel alot better on one than the other and if one is really causing intolerable side effects, it can be worth trying the other. I only know this because I've been to so many BC conferences plus training as a bc patient advocate, plus I'm a long timer (15 plus years with mbc) and have known women who have had that work well for them. (Sometimes I think I know more about mbc and mbc treatment than anybody should have to know! lol)

[Julie2233 in reply to PJBinMI]

When I was taking tamoxifen I couldn't take tablets manufactured by Wrockthart (not sure of the spelling sorry) they gave me horrendous side effects. Other brands were fine!

[mariootsi]

For sure. Anything to make this easier.

[NPmary]

Why do you prefer Teva?

Thank you, Mary.

[Rbeth in reply to NPmary]

Made in Israel not India.

[NPmary]

Thanks.

[Rbeth]

Yes. I only took the TEVA brand. It is made in the USA or Israel. The generic is made in India. They don’t have the quality controls.

Ibrance stopped working for me about a year ago. I am on Xeloda. Was on one week on and one week off. My 2729 cancer numbers went up to 1100. Now on Xeloda my last blood test had my cancer numbers at 110.

My oncologist just changed me to one week on and two weeks off. I feel much better on this regimen.

It is a constant battle. I have metastatic breast cancer in the lining of my stomach and rectum. Very unusual.

I go to Lipson Cancer Center at Rochester Regional Health and a second opinion at Sloan Kettering in NYC. I am working with both of them to add a Wellness and Creativity Center for the Cancer patients and staff.

Be well and be creative.

We had snow today. Looks like a winter wonderland. Reenie